The City is addressing drainage issues on Keene Airport property to protect public infrastructure and maintain safe operations. Visible water level changes may be noticeable, but the water is simply returning to normal levels.
The Airport, with help from the Public Works Department, is currently trapping beavers and removing a beaver dam from a culvert under the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) access drive. When beavers block these culverts, water can back up and flood roadways, weaken embankments, and damage drainage systems. By clearing these blockages, water returns to normal levels, reducing wildlife attractants near the airfield and meeting important FAA safety requirements.
Trapping is not a new approach on Airport property; the City has long managed beaver dams that threaten public property or roadways. Only licensed professionals are trapping in strict compliance with state law and New Hampshire Fish and Game guidance. Under RSA 210:9, the City can remove beavers or dams that threaten public highways, bridges, or other property. These actions help safeguard City infrastructure and public safety.
Q&A:
1. Why can’t the City relocate the beavers instead of trapping them?
Relocation is generally not practiced or recommended by New Hampshire Fish and Game. Moving beavers causes significant stress to the animals, carries a high risk of spreading disease between watersheds, and often results in low survival rates as the animals struggle to establish a new territory. Additionally, relocation typically transfers the drainage and property damage issues to a different location.
2. Why is this work being done now?
Beaver management is an ongoing necessity, but activity is more visible this spring. Winter ice conditions made trapping difficult, leading to a backlog of blocked culverts. With the recent spring snowmelt, these blockages reached a level requiring immediate action to prevent flooding of the WWTP access drive, airport infrastructure, and adjacent private property.
3. Are there non-lethal alternatives, such as “pond levelers” or flow devices?
While the City evaluates various methods for wildlife management, airports operate under unique FAA safety requirements (AC 150/5200-33C). These regulations require the Airport to minimize any standing water that attracts hazardous wildlife, such as waterfowl, near runways. Because pond levelers are designed to maintain a permanent pool of water, they are often incompatible with the strict “zero-attractant” safety standards required for aircraft operations.
4. How does the City ensure the trapping is conducted responsibly?
All trapping is performed by licensed professionals, including Wildlife Control Operators. These specialists must complete state-mandated education and follow ethical and safety protocols. Their work is conducted in coordination with New Hampshire Fish and Game to ensure all activities meet state legal standards for wildlife management.
