On Wed, 29 Mar 2000, Kelly Mcallister wrote:

[snip..]

> sense (except that shrubs at airports may not be the solution either.
The > Olympia Airport had dense shrubs and coyotes became a hazard on the
runways > so they mowed all of the shrubs... the coyote problem was much
reduced).

Kelly et al--

the Olympia Airport situation was triggered by an article in
the local paper that stated the airport management was going to
call in the Fed paid hunters to shoot the coyotes. Jack
Davis and I managed to get ourselves on the committee as
interested citizens..I was flying out of the airport at the
time and was aware of the tower personnel precipitated flap.
I had seen coyotes on the runway, but they really were no
danger. That's what we told the committee. They listened
thanked us for our input..which was don't cut the greenery
and ruin the habitat for birds and small animals..and
cut everything down anyway.. it was as though they went
through the motions and then did what they intended to do
anyway. We did managed prevent the shooting of the coyotes
but the airport was a really nice habitat for birds before
the massive mowing operation began...needless to say, I
was still upset and they can say, "well, we put together
a committee made up of pilots, environmentalists and they
gave us the benefit of their wisdom, etc.." what they
failed to tell everyone was that we were not in favor of
their plan.. so, we were sort of used as pawns in their
little political game.

Tom