Victory for Alaska contractors: Alaska native joint venture flies high with U.S. Air Force.

• Position: Bristol Environmental Services Corp.; Nugget Construction Inc.

Critics said it couldn't be done. The Air Force needed a contractor to perform a large scale, technical environmental land cap project in King Salmon - and they wanted to hire Alaska Natives to do it.

To meet the challenge, Richard Harris, executive vice president and general manager of Nugget Construction, Inc., and Dan Graham, president of Bristol Environmental Services Corp., joined forces.

The project was an enormous success. Not only was the work itself performed by Alaska Native shareholders from the region, but the project exceeded all expectations.

"I could not be happier with the way things turned out," explains Col. Sam Johnson, 611th Air Support Group Commander in charge of the project. "They did everything I asked them to do ahead of schedule and under cost - I'm a happy camper!"

Nugget and Bristol were pleased to have had the opportunity to prove that Native Alaska contractors - and Alaska contractors in general - are capable of executing large-scale technical projects.

"We tip our hats to the Air Force," says Harris. "They put their faith in Alaska Natives and Native-owned contractors when others doubted. We're proud to have come through for the 611th with such a complete success."

The Air Force chose Nugget and Bristol on more than just faith. Nugget Construction has been in business in Alaska for over 20 years, boasts an outstanding project history and enjoys very strong bonding. In fact, the company is one of the most-sought-after environmental construction contractors in be the state. Together with Bristol Environmental, a subsidiary of Bristol Bay Native Corp., the two companies make a formidable team.

It was exactly what the Air Force needed for the King Salmon project, an environmental landfill cap of Barrel Bluffs. Nugget and Bristol dug up approximately 16,000 cubic yards of drums and metallic debris, moved the landfill to a safe distance from a nearby salmon stream, and created a uniform grade for capping.

To ensure maximum Alaska Native involvement, Nugget and Bristol worked with Cecil dePedro...