Geese at the airport

I live in Ewing Township and I love having the Trenton-Mercer Airport in Ewing Township, in fact, I’ve used Frontier Airlines several times. I have one concern though and that’s the geese in the fields at the end of one that the runways with Frontier Airline flying in and flying out if you ever seen the movie Sully, we really don’t need that type of accidents happening in Ewing Township. So can you as a paper get in touch with the county executive Hughes and write an article and ask him what he thinks about the geese at the end of the runway and what Mercer County can do about it to get rid of the geese.

— A reader

We reached out to the county for an answer to this, here is the spokesperson’s reply: The airport utilizes a multi-tiered approach that is federally approved. Airport Operations, in conjunction with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, employ frequent patrols and apply various dispersal methods to mitigate any wildlife issues at the airport as well as the surrounding vicinities. These procedures include the use of pyrotechnics, dogs, and habitat management techniques. Additionally, these practices are overseen by a company that specializes in conducting studies to deploy resources in the most effective manner and ensures compliance with all federal, state and local laws. For example, motorists on Bear Tavern Road might notice a series of black flags in the field across from the airport. The installation of the black flags seasonally in open grasslands is recommended by the USDA. The flag movement sends threatening message to wildlife and acts as a deterrent to congregation. Regardless, the county does appreciate the writer’s concerns and as a result, airport management will investigate. Readers can always reach out to us at contactus1@mercercounty.org. — Ed Note

Got something you want to get off your chest? To contribute to Back Talk, call Ed at 609-358-0861 or email him at EdNote@Trentonian.com.