Airport Completes Stormwater Filtration System

The Jackson Hole Airport Board is holding a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on September 3rd at 2:00 pm at the Airport to celebrate the completion of the Underground Stormwater Detention and Filtration System. The new system will capture stormwater runoff from both the operational and public areas of the Airport. The system is designed to handle a 100-year storm event and will be the largest Advanced Drainage System in Wyoming. Governor Mark Gordon will be giving a public address and the Airport will be fueling planes with sustainable aviation fuel provided by Avfuel, a global supplier of aviation fuels and services.

The Jackson Hole Airport Board was able to support this voluntary project with the generosity of Teton Conservation District’s $60,000 grant. Carlin Girard, Teton Conservation District’s Water Resource Specialist said, “This is far beyond any local stormwater project from a size and treatment perspective, the level of treatment and quality of treatment is outstanding. Most systems plan for a 20-year storm event, the Airport went above and beyond by planning for a 100-year storm event.”

“Preserving this land and our environment are instrumental in recognizing that the Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial service airport within a national park.  Projects like this one, along with many other environmental initiatives undertaken by the Airport Board, reflect the responsibilities that come from operating within this unique ecosystem. We are dedicated to being stewards of Grand Teton National Park,” stated Rick Braun, Jackson Hole Airport Board President.

Runoff will be fed into large chambers where it will be filtered through a biologically active “filter layer-cake” that builds up in the system over time, then through a layer of geotextiles, and finally through a stone foundation before being pumped back to the surface, minimizing sediment and hydrocarbons from entering the environment.

This project expands upon previous water quality efforts at the airport, including groundwater monitoring and installation of a Glycol recovery system. Teton Conservation District has worked extensively with the Town of Jackson to improve stormwater treatment and protect water quality, but this is the first time the District has worked with the Airport on stormwater. “It’s much larger than any stormwater project we’ve supported in the past,” Girard said. “We hope to use this project as an example of the types of partnerships we encourage, and we are looking to support projects like this that go above and beyond to protect natural resources.”

To further advance the Airport’s eco-conscious initiatives, an aircraft will be fueled with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) provided by Avfuel, a global supplier of aviation fuel and services, on September 3rd and 4th. SAF is a blend of conventional Jet A/A-1 fuel and synthetic blending agents, which meets the specifications of petroleum-based fuels (ASTM D1655). The final blended SAF product burns cleaner and provides a significant reduction in overall carbon emissions across its lifecycle, from production to flying.