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Airport advisory reports fuel sales surge, soil testing after tank removal and taxiway reconstruction bid
Summary
Advisory committee reported increased jet fuel sales year-over-year, ongoing soil/well sampling after old fuel-tank removal showed localized jet-A contamination, and the county awarded a low bid for taxiway reconstruction; staff will monitor test-well results and repair stuck gate valves in the terminal.
Airport advisory committee members updated the Gratiot County Board of Commissioners on recent operations, maintenance and environmental testing at the county airport.
Advisory members reported a surge in jet-A fuel sales compared with the previous year, with multiple business jets fueling recently after months of limited activity. Financials and fuel-transaction data through February were included in the meeting packet.
Members described facility maintenance needs: stuck large gate valves in the passenger terminal that prevent isolating water lines, and recommendations to combine separate water-softening systems into a single unit serving the terminal and corporate buildings. Bids are being solicited for valve repair and plumbing modifications.
The advisory report summarized the fuel-farm upgrade completed January 24 and the removal of old underground storage tanks in September or October. Soil sampling taken at tank removal showed traces of jet-A contamination at four sites near the former tank locations; consultants (TriThera) installed five shallow test wells (about 15 feet deep) to monitor the situation. Initial soil samples were clean below a sandy layer and a blue clay layer, and groundwater sampling is planned in weeks to check for changes; if contamination persists, quarterly sampling for about a year was discussed.
Advisory members said the county holds coverage through the state Underground Storage Tank program and an insurance fund that could be available if further remediation were required. Members emphasized the site has deep potable wells (200–300 feet), and presenters said geologic clay layers reduce the likelihood of groundwater migration.
Separately, the advisory packet included a low bid award for airport taxiway reconstruction; the board was notified that the bid was awarded and that the work appeared in the meeting materials. Advisory members also reported scheduled maintenance—meter checks, filter changes and recertification of the fuel farm—estimated at about $2,400.
No formal vote to spend additional funds for remediation or construction was taken at the commission meeting beyond ratifying routine procurement and acknowledging the awarded taxiway bid in the advisory packet. Commissioners asked staff to monitor lab results from the test wells and report back if additional remediation or funding requests are needed.
