MINOT, ND (KXNET) — Making air travel safer and more efficient is what the Minot International Airport hopes will be the outcome of the completion of its Wildlife Hazard Removal Project. The project, which began back in June, is a three-phase project spanning more than 50 acres of the airport, aiming to remove the wetlands surrounding the airport's runway. They could become a safety hazard for air traffic due to the many animals the wetlands attract. Airport Director Jennifer Eckman says before the plans for the project were put together, the airport would see many different types of wildlife. "That particular plan identified the need to eliminate the wetlands which had become bird and wildlife attractions for everything from ground squirrels to deer, we even had moose at the airport too, the birds obviously, which are a big issue," said Eckman. While construction started in the summer plans for the project were developed in 2018. Eckman says the process to get the project moving was a long but thorough one. "Through the course of the design work, we also have to get permission through the Army Corps of Engineers to actually mitigate wetlands you have to have by wetlands in the watershed and stuff like that that usually takes a couple of years to provide the justification and everything," said Eckman. Submit names for NDDOT Name-A-Plow Contest According to Eckman, one of the goals of this project was to improve the overall drainage of the airport. Standing water can not only attract animals but in the winter months, it can become potentially hazardous. "Standing water, depending on where it is, can have the effect in the winter the freeze-thaw cycle can have the potential of destroying some of your infrastructure," said Eckman. However, Eckman says the project will benefit both the flying public as well as airport staff and hopefully prevent unnecessary delays. "If an aircraft strikes an animal or strikes a bird, they are required to do certain maintenance checks to make sure it doesn't have an operational impact on the aircraft. Therefore, if it does have damage, the aircraft won't fly until it's been repaired or fixed and that can cause significant delays if you're the particular passenger on that particular plane," said Eckman. Making the trip home a safe one. Costs for the Wildlife Hazard Removal project sit at $9.3 million with 90% of the funding coming from the federal government and the remaining 10% coming from the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission and the Airports capital budget. The project is set to be finished by late November. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW