JACKSON, WY — The Jackson Hole Airport just got a major upgrade to its stormwater filtration system.
It’s cooler than it sounds — the brand-new Underground Stormwater Detention and Filtration System is can handle a 100-year storm event and will be the largest advanced drainage system in Wyoming.
The Jackson Hole Airport Board will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony September 3 to celebrate the new system, which was made possible by a $60,000 grant from Teton Conservation District. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon will be there to give an address, and the airport will be fueling planes with sustainable aviation fuel provided by AvFuel, a global supplier of aviation fuels and services.
“This is far beyond any local stormwater project from a size and treatment perspective, the level of treatment and quality of treatment is outstanding,” said Carlin Girard, Teton Conservation District’s water resource specialist. “Most systems plan for a 20-year storm event, the Airport went above and beyond by planning for a 100-year storm event.”
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.
“Preserving this land and our environment is instrumental in recognizing that the Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial service airport within a national park,” said JAC Board President Rick Braun. “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.”
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 3 and 4. 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.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony starts at 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 3 at Jackson Hole Airport.
