Program Evaluation Report Card Tool for Wildlife Hazard Management Plans: User Guide (2023)

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10 Using the PERC Tool Before Using the PERC Tool Before using the PERC Tool, it will be important to: • Identify who is best suited to evaluate the WHMP/Program, and • Gather available data. Identify Recommended Evaluators/Tool Users The PERC Tool relies on data collected as part of an ongoing WHMP or another ongoing management program. For example, a GA airport may not maintain a formal wildlife manage­ ment plan, but the airport operator may conduct wildlife management activities based on available BMPs or recommendations made by a QAWB. Depending on the extent of the WHMP/Program and background knowledge, airport oper­ ators who do not have formal WHMPs in place or do not employ dedicated wildlife hazard management may ask others to help evaluate their WHMP/Program effectiveness using the PERC Tool. These evaluators may include airport management or operations staff members, contractors, such as the USDA Wildlife Resources or consultants who conduct wildlife manage­ ment at the airport. Gather Available Data The amount of available data about wildlife and wildlife management will vary based on the type of airport evaluated (Part 139 or noncertificated) and the extent of the WHMP/Program in place. Table 2 summarizes the data required for input to the PERC Tool. Not all airports will have this information readily available. Much is publicly available. Instruction Formats The PERC Tool user guide (this document) is formatted to promote ease of use. Four format styles are summarized in Table 3. Abbreviated instructions are also provided in the Excel workbook. The user guide provides greater detail to describe input requirements and the KPIs generated based on that input. C H A P T E R 2 FAA NWSD The NWSD contains strike records from 1990 to the present. Users may query the database for detailed strike records by airport and timeframe by entering specific months, days, and years.

Using the PERC Tool 11 Data Type Description Current WHMP or Program Description Gather the most recent version of the WHMP/Program. If the airport is a noncertificated airport and does not have a formal plan, gather BMPs or other data that describes the wildlife management program or activities that are in place. Training A list or description of wildlife training conducted for airport staff during the 12- month evaluation period. List of Wildlife Management For certificated airports, the WHMP will include a list of prioritized management recommendations and implementation timeframes. For noncertificated airports, Measures/ Recommendations the management plan or program must include a list of management recommendations. The list of recommended management measures is the most important item associated with WHMP/Program evaluation using the PERC Tool. Wildlife Strike Data The PERC Tool requires strike data from at least two 12-month evaluation periods to provide a comparison in the PERC Tool output, but strike data from the current evaluation period and up to five previous 12-month evaluation periods can be included for analysis. The PERC Tool will ask users to differentiate between total strikes and damaging strikes and to include the species identified by the WHMP/Program as posing the greatest risk to airport operations. • Some airport operators report strikes directly to the FAA’s National Wildlife Strike Database (NWSD) or rely solely on the NWSD. Strike data is publicly available from the NWSD at: https://wildlife.faa.gov/search). Using the NWSD, it is possible to obtain strike data for up to five previous evaluation periods for analysis. • Some airports maintain airport-specific strike records that can be used instead of or compared to the NWSD. Total Number of Aircraft Operations PERC Tool users must identify the number of aircraft operations associated with each 12-month evaluation period used in the analysis. FAA Operations Network (Towered Airports) If operations data are not available for a towered airport or the available data does not coincide with the 12-month evaluation period, PERC Tool users can obtain the operations data using the FAA’s Operations Network (OPSNET) at: https://aspm.faa.gov/opsnet/sys/Airport.asp. Users can identify a specific airport, specify dates/timeframes, and generate a report that coincides with the evaluation period. FAA Terminal Area Forecast (TAF) (Non-Towered Airports) Historical operations data for non-towered airports is available from the FAA’s TAF at: https://taf.faa.gov/. The TAF provides an option to query data by airport and specific periods beginning in 1990. However, the FAA identifies periods by calendar year, which might not coincide specifically with the WHMP/Program evaluation period. In the absence of data, the nearest calendar year to coincide with the evaluation period may need to be used. In addition, TAF data is likely to be less accurate than airport-generated data for the same period. Whenever possible, refer to airport records and site specific data sources to identify the number of aircraft operations (operations logs, fuel logs, flight school data, etc.). Most Hazardous Species Observed at Your Airport (up to five species) The WHMP/Program may identify the species considered most hazardous at the airport and how often these species are observed on-site. • Species Identification. If hazardous species are not identified in the WHMP/Program, they can be determined using strike records or site specific observations. • Frequency of wildlife observations. If possible, refer to records associated with continuous monitoring, operations logs, or other records that would identify wildlife observations or management actions. Correspondence About Wildlife Management Identify whether airport staff has communication with regulatory agencies or landowners about wildlife, wildlife attractants, or wildlife management during the evaluation period. Table 2. Available data.

12 Program Evaluation Report Card Tool for Wildlife Hazard Management Plans: User Guide Download the PERC Tool The PERC Tool was designed using a Microsoft Excel format, and no additional software is needed. ➢ Download the file from National Academies Press website (nap.nationalacademies.org) by searching for ACRP Research Report 250: Program Evaluation Report Card Tool for Wildlife Hazard Management Plans: User Guide and save the file to your computer or laptop. ➢ Open the Excel file. ➢ The [Enable Editing] button will appear at the top of the screen. Click on that button so you can begin to enter data. ➢ Save the file locally before you begin to enter data. Workbook/Structure The PERC Tool was developed as a Microsoft Excel workbook that includes three worksheets: • User Interface – The worksheet/tab that presents the data entry/input sheet. • Output – The worksheet/tab that presents the actual Report Card, which displays data and presents KPIs. PERC Tool users can print the output following the evaluation. • User Guide – The worksheet/tab that presents brief step­by­step instructions on how to use the Tool during data input. Format Type Description Bullet Points Two types of bullet points are used in this document: • Information – Round bullets (and dash sub-bullets) are the default bullet point; they identify information that does not require an action from the user. User Action – Arrows are used to identify items that require interaction with the PERC Tool (e.g., enter data, download/open a file, select an option from a drop-down menu). Numbering The item numbers in the Data Entry: Step-by-Step section correspond to the item numbers in the PERC Tool Input or “User Interface” spreadsheet. Notes / Additional Information Important information will be emphasized in text boxes. • Tool Tip – Describes the behavior of the Tool. • Supporting Information – Adds details or background information for clarification. • Definition – Explains terms used in context. Quotes from Supporting Documents Long quotes or excerpts from supporting documents will be presented in shaded boxes. Quotes are included for convenient user reference to important regulations and definitions as they relate to questions and data in the PERC Tool. Tool Tip The tool will not allow you to enter data until you have clicked on [Enable Editing]. FAA regulations at 14 CFR 139.337 (6) require operators of certificated airports to review their WHMPs regularly. Table 3. Instruction formats. Tool Tip The tool will not allow you to enter data until you have clicked on [Enable Editing].

Using the PERC Tool 13 User Guide Tab and Instructions Instructions for using the PERC Tool are provided in two formats: • PERC Tool Guidance and Resources. This guide provides detailed descriptions and defini­ tions for completing each field included in the PERC Tool. The guide is intended to serve as a reference document and to summarize the PERC Tool purpose and supporting research. • User Guide. The user guide presented in the Excel workbook provides brief instructions that are linked to each question/item in the user interface. PERC Tool users can click on a question/ item number and the appropriate instruction will appear. – For example, if a user has a question about completing Item 3e, Damaging Strike Data, the user can click on “3e” on the User Interface, and the instructions for Item 3e on the User Instructions tab will appear. – To return to the User Interface, the user can click on the User Interface tab of the workbook. The PERC Tool will take the user back to the same question.