Sacramento – Legislation that would protect airplanes from bird strikes went to the Governor’s desk this week. The measure gives airport officials the legal authority to remove birds in the flight path of airplanes. Aviation officials at California public airports may soon have legal backing to protect the traveling public from bird strikes, the state senate announced Monday. The proposal, Senate Bil 481, was supported by Amador County Senator Dave Cox (R-Fair Oaks) and passed the State Senate on a 38-0 vote, sending it to the governor. Schwarzenegger has 12 days to act on the measure after it gets to his desk. The law would affirm airport officials’ responsibility to keep birds away from airplanes. Senator Cox in a Senate release said: “The safety of airplane passengers must be a priority,” and “airport officials have the responsibility to safeguard millions of Californians who travel by air each day.” He said the “measure gives them the legal authority to protect human lives.” Co-authored by Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Assemblyman Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks), SB 481 gives all public-use airports with federal depredation permits assurances that they have a legal right to remove birds they believe may endanger planes. The release said SB 481 further states that the taking of birds at public airports to protect public safety does not violate state law. It further amends the Fish and Game Code to codify existing practice based on compliance with federal law. A total of 1,471 bird strikes were recorded at Sacramento International Airport from 1990 to 2008, according to a report by the Federal Aviation Administration. The senate release said “For years, Sacramento Airport officials have followed federal law which requires them to protect travelers from ‘bird strikes.’” Under federal depredation permit, every effort is made to divert wildlife from an airplane’s flight path through harassment, trapping or relocation. As a last resort, airport personnel have the authority and responsibility to remove birds to protect human lives. Officials at the state Department of Fish and Game claimed that state law is silent on whether airport personnel have the approval to remove wildlife that threaten passenger safety. This bill would resolve the concern raised by state officials. From a Senate news release. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.