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Site Report: Collinson Point DEW Line - Sitewide

Site Name: Collinson Point DEW Line - Sitewide
Address: Simpson Cove, Camden Bay, ~30 Miles SW of Kaktovik, Kaktovik, AK 99747
File Number: 380.38.002
Hazard ID: 1679
Status: Informational
Staff: Nick Waldo, 9074655270 nick.waldo@alaska.gov
Latitude: 69.974722
Longitude: -144.837222
Horizontal Datum:WGS84

We make every effort to ensure the data presented here is accurate based on the best available information currently on file with DEC. It is therefore subject to change as new information becomes available. We recommend contacting the assigned project staff prior to making decisions based on this information.

Problems/Comments

The Collinson Point Intermediate DEW Line Station, consisted of a single 5-module building and support facilities and a Doppler-type radar fence, was established as one of 18 sites constructed in the 1950s for the defensive advance warning radar system that provided “top cover” air defense for North America. The Collinson Point site was deactivated in 1962. It is located within ANWR in the North Slope Borough, east of Prudhoe Bay and approximately 40 miles southwest of the community of Kaktovik. Potential environmental concerns include abandoned drums, solid waste problems, fuel-related contamination, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Potential pathways of concern include migration to surface water, direct contact to contaminated soil or sediment, and subsistence pathways. March 2003: Demolition of the DEW Line buildings occurred in 2000 along with asbestos and lead-based paint abatement. At the same time, approximately 32 tons of fuel-impacted soil was removed, equipment and debris was removed (tower, transformers, 176 drums, misc.), and fuel distribution pipelines were removed. The status of the dump site(s) are unknown at this time. Information from the November 2001 Remedial Action Report from the Corps of Engineers indicates PCB concentrations in two soil samples exceed the cleanup level and concentrations in two sediment samples are elevated. The diesel range organic concentrations in one sediment sample was also elevated. A Draft No DOD Action Indicated Report was received in January 2003 that is pending review. ADEC expects additional work will be necessary at this site.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
7/1/1985 Preliminary Assessment Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Alaska District conducted site investigations in July 1985 and September 1987. Water, soil, and POL samples were collected in 1985. Environmental and archaeological studies were conducted during both visits. Former Staff
4/3/1992 Site Added to Database Multiple contaminants. Former Staff
4/3/1992 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. Former Staff
6/22/1992 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Staff reviewed Pre-Design Final Report dated March, 1992. Report contains previous sampling data and defines regulatory levels for site contaminants. Laura Noland
6/24/1992 Meeting or Teleconference Held Met with Corps of Engineers and USF&WS to establish cleanup levels and cleanup methods for summer of 1993 work. The Corps plan to conduct remediation as they continue to define extend of contamination. Laura Noland
9/8/1992 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RPL2 - Site Information Request Letter). ADEC staff sent PRP-CS Database Notification letter to RP requesting update and more environmental information concerning contaminated site. Jim Levine\COE called 10-5-92 and responded by returning updated DECRPTs. Jeff Peterson
4/28/1993 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = CORR - Correspondence (General)). Staff sent ADEC proposed action levels for cleanup at site to E&E's Brian Miskel. Marcus Ortelee
5/13/1993 Cleanup Level(s) Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = CORR - Correspondence (General)). ADEC staff sent a letter to Gail Braten of COE, on action levels for soil and gravel pad cleanup levels. ADEC and USFWS worked together to establish levels based on health and ecological criteria. Marcus Ortelee
8/27/1993 Update or Other Action Proposal document received. Bob Couch
3/1/1994 Cleanup Plan Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = RDRA - Remedial Design / Remedial Action). A removal action awarded for BD/DR and HTRW (DACA85-94-C-0010) and is still underway. Former Staff
3/18/1997 Update or Other Action Site updated by Shannon and Wilson, based on FUDS Site Summary dated 2/21/96. Former Staff
5/29/2001 Site Characterization Report Approved Sent comment letter today on draft removal action report. The report described demolition and site characterization work completed during July 2000. All of the structures were removed and disposed of off-site, surface stained soil was excavated, miscellaneous debris removed. Remaining contamination in sediments and soil. PCBs above 1 mg/kg is of concern along with cumulative risk from multiple VOCs. Comment letter indicated CSM should be completed and cumulative risk calculation should be completed. Concerns exist about a potential dump site at the DEW Line. Ann Farris
1/17/2003 Update or Other Action Staff received Draft No DOD Action Indicated Report today. Review is pending. Ann Farris
5/21/2003 Site Number Identifier Changed Changed Region from 36 to 31. Former Staff
8/1/2003 Update or Other Action Staff changed from Farris to Caillouet Debra Caillouet
8/27/2003 Update or Other Action Staff sent a letter to the Corp requesting additional information. Public comment had been recieved indicating that there may be risk remaining at the site. Until this is resolved DEC can not concur with the NDAI. Debra Caillouet
4/12/2004 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Sampling and Analysis Plan, Post-Remedial Action/Site Restoration Investigation, Collinson Point DEW Line Site was reviewed Debra Caillouet
10/14/2004 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff attended RAB meeting in Kaktovik Debra Caillouet
1/25/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff attended RAB meeting in Kaktovik Debra Caillouet
3/23/2005 Site Characterization Report Approved Final Chemical Data Report was received and it incorporated response to comments. The analytical results from this sampling event show bottom sediments from both the Debris Pond and the AST pond are contaminated, as is the surface water in the AST Pond. Additionally, elevated levels of PCBs were found in concrete samples collected from the former Composite Building garage slab. The analytical results for samples collected from the Southwest Pond, Quonset Hut #3, and the surface soils surrounding the former Composite Building garage did not exceed ADEC cleanup criteria. The majority of the debris at Marsh Creek appeared benign, and was likely deposited by storm or ice action. Bottom sediment samples collected from the Debris Pond contained POL above the ADEC soil cleanup levels, as well as PCBs above the NOAA Probable Effects Level; due to the persistent nature of PCBs, it is unlikely that the concentrations of this contaminate will decrease significantly over time. The contaminated sediment in the Debris Pond is covered with a variety of metallic and wooden debris, which will need to be addressed is a removal action is determined to be required to close this site. Bottom sediment samples collected from the AST Pond contained POL above soil cleanup levels as well as low molecular weight PAH above the NOAA Upper Effects Threshold. Analytical results from this pond exceeded groundwater criteria, but no sheen was noted and TAH and TAqH were below 18 AAC 70 levels. Concrete samples from the surface of the former Composite building garage slab continued PCBs above 25 ppm. PCBs in surface soil samples collected from around the slab were below cleanup level, however previous results were above. Additional remedial/removal efforts may be required for this site, specifically at the Debris Pond, the AST Pond, and the former Composite Building garage slab. Although the landscape may appear blemished due to the presence of rusted 55-gallon drums and drum carcasses littered across the tundra the debris is not eligible for cleanup under FUDS. Debra Caillouet
5/3/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff attended RAB meeting in Kaktovik Debra Caillouet
7/20/2007 Update or Other Action Staff reviewed and sent comments to the USACE on the draft remedial investigation work plan. Debra Caillouet
9/27/2007 Update or Other Action Staff sent the USACE comment on Rev 1 of the RI work plan Debra Caillouet
10/11/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Debra Caillouet
10/26/2007 Site Characterization Workplan Approved final comments were addressed Debra Caillouet
12/26/2007 Update or Other Action Staff reviewed the draft remedial investigation report and prepared significant comments. Debra Caillouet
6/6/2008 Site Characterization Report Approved The final remedial investigation report for 2007 was approved. The report documents the use of silica gel cleanup that biased all DR) and RRO results low. The data can be used qualitatively to determine the remedial actions needed. Debra Caillouet
12/11/2008 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Staff reviewed and sent major comment to the Corps on the draft RI/FS. Debra Caillouet
9/18/2009 Update or Other Action The CON/HTW was closed out by signature of a declaration of closure by John Halverson Debra Caillouet
2/22/2010 Update or Other Action The Final Ecoscoping Forms and Ecological Conceptual Site Models, Collinson Point and Nuvagapak Point, DEW Line Stations, February 2010 were received. The ecoscoping indicates the need for a screening level risk assessment. Debra Caillouet
7/28/2010 Risk Assessment Report Approved The Final Preliminary Screening Evaluation and Ecological Conceptual Site Models, Collinson Point and Nuvagapak Point, DEW Line Stations July 2010 were approved. Based on the information in these documents ADEC does not believe there is a need to proceed to an ecological risk assessment. While some of the exceedances if the ecological screening levels are significant, if the sites are cleaned up to Method II levels these will be minimized. It is believed that if a full risk assessment was done, the size of the impacts and the quality of the habitat would demonstrate that there is no significant ecological risk. Debra Caillouet
10/29/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Comments were sent on the Collinson Point Distant Early Warning Line Station, Revised Draft Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study Report, October 2010 Debra Caillouet
5/15/2013 CERCLA ROD Approved The Corps of Engineers provided a copy of the ROD signed by their Colonel. Debra Caillouet
11/23/2015 Update or Other Action Site management transferred to Carnahan. John Carnahan
8/21/2016 Update or Other Action DEC approves (via email) modifications to workplan to extend the use of the available pad area to within 10 feet of the edge (with adequate berms), and increasing thickness of soil to be treated to 12 inches. DEC also will allow the use of fertilizers to enhance the nutrient viability of the soil if determined appropriate. John Carnahan
12/1/2016 Meeting or Teleconference Held CS managers participate in the annual FUDS site management action plan meeting. The purpose of the is to collaborate with FUDS management on site progress and prioritization for all of the formerly used defense sites. FUDS prioritization is based on risk, congressional interest, state input and proximity to other sites on the prioritization list. FUDS has increased environmental restoration funding in Alaska for the 2017 and 2018 field seasons to meet National goals for site progress. Darren Mulkey
11/16/2018 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Provide comments on FUDS Closeout Report. John Carnahan

Contaminant Information

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