Overview

The extension of a runway at the Dillingham Airport was needed to allow access to larger planes and to improve safety at the site. This improvement would allow greater transportation of the world’s largest Sockeye salmon runs to be shipped around the globe. Due to the remote location of the site, importing topsoil was deemed too expensive, so vegetation was required on the base material used to build the runway extension. 

Issues

  • Vegetation required on base material w/ 1.1% organic matter content
  • Remoteness of project and cost prohibited importing topsoil to the site
  • Extreme winter weather conditions
  • Fast vegetation establishment required

Problem

The extension of a runway at the Dillingham Airport was needed to allow access to larger planes and to improve safety at the site. This improvement would allow greater transportation of the world’s largest Sockeye salmon runs to be shipped around the globe. Due to the remote location of the site, importing topsoil was deemed too expensive, so vegetation was required on the base material used to build the runway extension.

Collecting Topsoil
Application
Initial Growth can be Seen, Shortly After Application

Solution

Due to the low fertility found in the base material, Biotic Earth Black was approved to provide the much needed organic matter and soil life required to promote and sustain life on the site. Seed and fertilizer would be applied along with the Biotic Earth, and then covered with a Bonded Fiber Matrix for erosion control. The project was begun in June of 2014 by Knik Construction.

Results

Successful initial growth was achieved within thirteen days and the permits were terminated ahead of schedule. On top of that, the next season vegetation was full and no significant erosion had effected the site. The use of Biotic Earth Black provided a 20% savings over the use of topsoil on the site.

Vegetation in Spring of Following Year