The first thing that comes to mind when you hear “asphalt” is roads. But the versatility of asphalt makes it the ideal material for other applications and locations: from driveways to runways, from the barn floor to the ocean floor.

That’s right -- the ocean floor. Or maybe we should say a simulated ocean floor. Asphalt has been used as a liner for the hatcheries in Oregon to raise Chinook Salmon. There are more than 35 asphalt lined fish hatchery ponds in Oregon and Washington. These ponds are used to raise fingerling fish until they are large enough to release. A typical hatchery may be five to seven feet deep and cover approximately a half-acre.

Contrary to the fears by some environmental groups, scientist have established that asphalt does not leach into water, contaminate soil or kill fish. The results of tests for leachability of HMA show very low levels of leachable compounds -- well below Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. Scientists have proven that asphalt is an environmentally safe material. And if you don’t want to believe the scientists, believe the Chinook Salmon for they are one of Nature’s most sensitive creatures with respect to clean, pure water.

But what about the film of oil visible on roadways after a rain? This does not come from the asphalt. Rather it is a product of the traffic that travels on the asphalt surface; asphalt is insoluble in water.

Asphalt is environmentally friendly on the ground and under water. Asphalt is the most recycled product produced in America. Over 80% of the asphalt placed as pavement is recycled material. Asphalt pavements of today offer a much longer service life than ever before, which means a better use of the world’s natural resources.

The asphalt industry continues its proactive work with the EPA to ensure that asphalt plants comply well within EPA standards. As a result of this the EPA moved to de-list asphalt from their list of stringent new air standards. EPA has declared that no single facility has the potential to be a major source of hazardous air pollutants. In continuing to meet these EPA standards and in an effort to be good neighbors asphalt producers strive to obtain the Diamond Achievement Award (see accompanying article) that is awarded by the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA).

HMA is also used throughout the world as a practical solution to water storage, flood control, erosion, and conservation problems. The EPA has approved the use of asphalt as a primary liner for both sanitary and hazardous waste landfills with great success.

From driveway to runways, barnyards to the depths of the ocean - asphalt is the answer.