Plymouth Airport Manager Bill Sheley asked the city council this week for an exception in its firearm laws in order to address the hazards geese pose at the airport.
He noted that the birds cause a serious danger to aircraft due to the possibility of a mid-air collision. Sheley said the airport has maintained a federal migratory bird depredation permit for several years. The permit allows the airport manager to eliminate the threat of geese. Sheley said he is unable to take any geese as the airport is in the city limits and there is an ordinance regulating the discharge of firearms in the city limits.
Sheley said he would take geese, if needed, by way of a shotgun, but not near any buildings or where any resident would be at risk. He did make note of his expert marksmanship skills.
The council was presented with an executive order exemption that would grant Sheley the authority to take geese. He said there has been one instance this year where he felt that he had a right to exercise his right to take the geese under his federal permit.
The council unanimously granted the exemption to the executive order to allow Sheley to take geese to assure the safety of pilots and passengers.
Executive order
