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Management 1. Strategies Management of Canada geese on Long Island is overseen by the USFWS, USDA, and NYSDEC. The goal of the agencies regarding resident Canada geese is to reduce the population to 85,000 in New York (NYSDEC, n.d). While all three agencies provide information on management techniques for the geese, only the USDA employs management strategies for the geese on a regular basis. Many establishments on Long Island take on management strategies themselves whilst adhering to state and federal legislation. This section describes and details the techniques used for different establishments. Airports The Federal Avian Administration (FAA) mandates that if an airport has had incidents of aircraft collisions with wildlife in its operating history then it must create a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (Airport Cooperative Research Program, 2013). The programs must abide by state and federal laws pertaining to wildlife management as well as FAA regulations for such programs (Rillstone & Dineen, 2013). A snapshot of management strategies at Long Island airports: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International Airport Laura Francoeur, Chief Wildlife Biologist for the Port Authority explained that the Port Authority utilizes Canada goose management strategies on and off airport property. She added that LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport use a variety of techniques such as lasers, paintballs, pyrotechnics, and vehicles to harass geese. Ms. Francoeur also mentioned that lethal methods are used. A passive strategy is also in place, she explained, in the form of tall fescue plantings. According to Ms. Francoeur, the fescue is a type of grass that has been altered by growers with an endophyte which makes consuming the grass less appealing to the geese. Francis S. Gabreski Airport Airport Manager Anthony Ceglio explained that the airport utilizes wooden dog silhouettes on rods that rotate with wind direction to scare Canada geese away. He said that the technique is successful as the geese do not land on the airport anymore. Mr. Ceglio stated that the silhouettes were placed around the airport approximately two years ago and have remained there throughout the year. Brookhaven Calabro Airport According to Martin Haley, Commissioner of General Services and Management for the airport, there are no issues with Canada geese so the airport does not use any management strategies.
