The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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November 23, 2009

Enid Aviation Board looks at potentially unsafe runways

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer

Enid Aviation Board discussed the potentially dangerous situation of deer getting onto airport property during their monthly meeting Monday.

Enid Woodring Regional Airport Director Dan Ohnesorge said deer have been coming in through part of the fence on the south perimeter of the airport, where the fabric has been worn away. To date, the deer have stayed in wooded areas on the east and southwest sides of the airport, he said, and have not congregated near the runways. Ohnesorge said airport personnel are keeping a close watch on the deer; however, it is a potentially dangerous problem for an aircraft landing at night when the tower is closed, he said.

The 20-year-old fence is being repaired and when it is, airport officials will undertake an effort to rid the area of deer.

“We don’t want to wait until they come across the runways,” Ohnesorge said.

One solution may be to apply for a permit to harvest the deer on the airport property, he said. Guns are not allowed on city property.

In other airport business, members heard a report the aviation fuel truck is not working and the airport is self-service until the engine is replaced in the truck.

The financial report showed the airport in “the black” for the year. Some seasonal and event expenses were high, but those will not be used again this year.

Ohnesorge also gave the board a report on the progress of a new shed. The concrete floor is complete, and the assembly company will begin building the steel structure in December.

An application has been submitted for the airport to achieve foreign trade zone status, but no word has yet been received. A foreign trade zone is a customs duty management program created by the federal government in 1934 as part of the New Deal. Its purpose is to expedite trade and help increase global competitiveness of U.S.-based companies.

A $400,000 grant for work on 66th to provide access to the industrial park at the airport has been received. City engineering staff has begun the design for the street.

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