Addressing the risk of birdstrike

MPA publishes guidance on mineral sites and mitigating birdstrike hazard and risk

THE Mineral Products Association’s (MPA) Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Group has developed a new document, ‘Mineral Sites & Birdstrike Hazard and Risk: Practice Guide for Mineral Development & Restoration within Aerodrome Safeguarding Areas’, following a workshop it held in late 2013.

The workshop involved the minerals industry, aerodrome operators, Ministry of Defence (MoD), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), planning authorities and nature conservation organizations, including Natural England, the RSPB and the Wildlife Trusts.

Ken Hobden, director of mineral planning at the MPA, said: ‘Minerals operators have to address a wide range of issues when applying for and developing sites. This Guidance is an excellent resource to help operators to understand and address the risk of birdstrike, hand in hand with realizing opportunities to enhance biodiversity.’

The Guide aims to build on, rather than repeat, existing guidance and is accompanied by a number of case studies that illustrate aspects of good practice in the delivery of biodiversity, while mitigating birdstrike risk. Further case studies are being developed and will be added in due course.