By: Lindsey Ashley
This Tuesday, the City of Clare Commissioners held an open discussion regarding the issues surrounding the airport’s wildlife. In recent years, the deer and other wildlife have become a significant problem for the airport. This has posed a direct issue to safety, as the deer have a tendency to migrate onto the runways, thus making it near impossible for pilots to safely land. These deer are also drawn to the area due to the city’s farming in the area.
Previously, the city received information regarding this issue back in July from the Airport Manager, Gabe Ambrozaitis. Since then, the city has received counsel from their attorney, and additional research has been done by the airport in order to identify potential solutions.
As a result, further discussions were held this week to convey said findings, with Ambrozaitis leading the conversation. Ultimately, several solutions were posed to the board by Ambrozaitis. First, the removal of some of the surrounding foliage. This would involve the removal of several trees and trimming back of vegetation roughly 10 feet on both sides of the Jordan drain.
However, this method would mean that the Department of Public Works (DPW) would have additional land to maintain. Ambrozaitis elaborated, stating that “I would probably estimate that it’s probably another 10 acres at minimum that the DPW would have to maintain.” This in turn could end up costing the city more in the long run due to the extended need for landscaping.
The second option is culling. This would involve Police Chief David Saad leading a Northern Michigan Mutual Aid Taskforce, which is the Michigan SWAT equivalent, to work according to DNR regulations. Any of the deer killed would then be butchered and packaged by M&M Packing in Loomis. The meat would then be offered to the surrounding neighbors, with any leftovers given to those in need. Those at the meeting raised concerns with this method, regarding it as unethical and extreme. Mayor Pat Humphrey elaborated further stating, “I’m not a hunter, I’m not a tree hugger, but I agree feeding them, then getting rid of them, and starting killing them doesn’t make any damn sense.”
The last option is the construction of a fence. This option is highly favored among both the board and the community. The fence design could tentatively consist of four gates, with the actual amount varying based on what’s deemed necessary. The fence is currently projected to be constructed over multiple phases and likely to be altered in the event that the city is able to secure federal funding from the FAA.
Ambrozaitis surmised that “the only other difference is three strands of barbed wire on the top and then potentially a 45-degree angle at the bottom, which may or not be needed.” Given the significance of this issue, many of those at the meeting stepped forward, offering to pay to get the fence done all at once. Overall, while no official decisions have been made, the city has begun to take crucial steps to remedy this issue.
