But with that, the federal Clean Water Act requires that a natural area of the same size be restored nearby.
In consultation with FiveRivers MetroParks, airport officials settled on clearing and restoring 2,430 feet of stream within a 4.1-acre habitat in the park. Both streams are unnamed tributaries of the Stillwater River.
The restoration starts this month and will include the removal of invasive honeysuckle bushes and replanting of native trees in the park.
Airport spokeswoman Linda Hughes said that local engineering and environmental firms participating in the project are LJB Inc., Passero Associates, and Bladecutters, Inc.
Hughes said that keeping birds out of the flight paths of aircraft is a high priority given collisions with Canadian geese that can endanger aircraft and passengers.
“Every airport has a wildlife mitigation plan,” she said. “We tried to rid airport property of standing water.”
Enclosing the stream in the pipe and work for the restoration totaled $418,690, That includes the required annual monitoring, maintenance and evaluation of the restoration project.
The restoration should be finished within a week.
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