JH Airport storm water system now complete

A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled next month at the Jackson Hole Airport for a massive new underground storm water detention and filtration system, said to be the largest in Wyoming.

Built with help of a $60,000 grant through the Teton Conservation District, the system is designed to capture storm water runoff from both the operational and public areas of the airport. It is designed to handle 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,” said Jackson Hole Airport 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.”

Runoff will be fed into large chambers where it will be filtered through a biologically active “filter layer-cake”, routed through a layer of geo-textiles, and finally through a stone foundation, before being pumped back to the surface. Ultimately, it will minimize sediment and hydrocarbons from the entering the environment.

Governor Mark Gordon will be on hand for the ribbon cutting, set for 2 p.m. , September 3, at the Jackson Hole Airport.