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Site Report: FAA McGrath Former Tank Farm

Site Name: FAA McGrath Former Tank Farm
Address: Chinana Avenue, SW Side, East of BLM Road, McGrath, AK 99627
File Number: 2612.38.001
Hazard ID: 2198
Status: Active
Staff: Sophia Bracio, 9074511682 sophia.bracio@alaska.gov
Latitude: 62.955913
Longitude: -155.599259
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 Former Tank Farm is located in the FAA main facilities area in McGrath, Alaska. The tank farm consisted of six, 20,000-gallon aboveground storage tanks (AST) and one 3,000-gallon AST. Four of the 20,000-gallon ASTs were decommissioned prior to 1993. In 1994, the last two 20,000-gallon ASTs and the 3000-gallon AST were decommissioned. Soil samples were collected, which identified the presence of non-aqueous phase liquid- (NAPL) contaminated soils. At that time, a drum storage area was constructed on a portion of the Former Tank Farm area. The drum storage area was diked and covered with an impermeable membrane liner. Soils beneath the liner were found to be contaminated prior to the installation of the liner, and this area is considered part of the former Tank Farm. In 1996, a bioventing and air sparging system consisting of three bioventing extraction wells and 14 air sparging injection wells was installed. In June 1998, about 3,000 cubic yards of vadose-zone soils in the FAA-owned portion of the Former Tank Farm area were removed and stockpiled. The sidewalls of the excavation on the north, east and south all contained samples that exceeded ADEC Method Two cleanup levels. No excavation of the southern portion of the Former Tank Farm area (now privately owned) was conducted. Soil samples taken at the site in 2011 indicate that concentrations of DRO, ethylbenzene, xylene, naphthalene, 1-methylnaphthalene, and 2-methylnaphthalene exceed Table B/B1 Method Two soil cleanup levels promulgated in 2016. Groundwater samples were collected in 2011, 2012, and 2013. In 2011 and 2013, at least one sample was found to exceed the 2016 Table C cleanup levels for DRO.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
7/9/2003 Site Added to Database GRO, DRO and BTEX contaminated soil and groundwater. Deborah Williams
7/9/2003 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Preliminary ranking. Deborah Williams
7/14/2003 Update or Other Action ADEC approved a workplan with the following scope of work: Decommissioning of monitoring wells from prior remedial investigations, MW-7 at the RCAG and MW-11 at the NDB. Site investigation to determine the extent of contamination discovered at the former treatment cell location. Monitoring and evaluation of the active Hobby Shop SVE system. Monitoring and evaluation of the active SVE system at Building 305/604. Subsurface soil sampling at the former Power House. Implementation of long-term groundwater monitoring at the former tank farm. Investigate petroleum contamination on the private property at the former tank farm. Evaluation of natural attenuation along former pipeline and at the former FSS. Survey the monitoring wells in the quarters and tank farm area and prepare a groundwater contour map. Removal of abandoned pipeline and relase investigation. Deborah Williams
6/9/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC received a Site Investigation and Remedial Evaluation Report. The report includes recommendations based upon outputs of Geosphere's 4-phase model and recommends no further remedial action at several sites where contaminant concentrations exceed the maximum allowable limit of 12,500 mg/kg DRO. The 4-phase model has not yet been verified for accuracy. ADEC discussed this with the FAA and will recommend that siol above the maximum allowable concentration be removed during airport upgrades tentatively scheduled for summer 2006. Sharon Richmond
7/28/2005 Site Characterization Report Approved Contaminated Sites (CS) staff reviewed and provided comments to the Federal Aviation Administration's Site Investigation and Remedial Evaluation Report at the McGrath Airport. Numerous areas contaminated with petroleum were addressed during this investigation. Several air sparge/soil vapor extraction systems have been operating but recovery of fuel has diminished because volatile fuel components have been mostly removed; these systems will be shut down and decommissioned. Other areas still have residual diesel contamination but, in general, concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes are below cleanup levels in soil and groundwater. Contamination that has migrated off-site will be excavated and managed as part of remedial efforts at the former tank farm area. CS staff recommended that all soil with contamination above the maximum allowable concentration be excavated and that a treatment strategy be developed. A resident of McGrath contacted the Department regarding off-site contamination.The individual was provided with a copy of the report and the comment letter. Sharon Richmond
1/26/2006 Update or Other Action All work performed for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires completion and approval of a Project Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health Worksheet (EOSH Worksheet). The EOSH Worksheet is a tool that allows project managers to identify potential hazards and contamination, take appropriate measures to avoid hazards and manage contamination appropriately, to minimize environmental impacts, determine whether environmental assessment is required prior to beginning work, and to minimize fines and/or penalties associated with non-compliance with federal and state regulations. It also acts a mechanism to identify when outside agency permits are necessary. Specific portions of the EOSH Worksheet address: the presence/absence of endangered species, activities conducted in wetlands or anadromous streams, whether work will occur on a contaminated site or involve activities associated with fuel tanks, fuel distribution lines, oil-containing transformers, groundwater monitoring wells, floor drains, and generation and handling of hazardous waste. To ensure all issues are appropriately considered, the worksheet is to be reviewed after each phase of project development and implemenation. This form is to be kept with project progress documents throughout the project. Sharon Richmond
1/12/2010 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 73176 name: FAA McGrath Former Tank Farm Melody Debenham
3/24/2010 Update or Other Action Notified of a proposed project for work on Chinana Avenue. Melody Debenham
8/2/2011 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Approved the Final Work Plan, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Release Investigation, FAA Station, McGrath, Alaska, describing investigation activities at 14 areas of concern at the FAA McGrath Station. An Ultra-Violet Optical Screening Tool (UVOST)/laser-induces fluorescence (LIF) probe will be used as a screening tool to investigate the horizontal and vertical extent of petroleum contamination. Locations of soil borings and groundwater monitoring wells will be determined based on site conditions and the UVOST/LIF screening results. Melody Debenham
5/16/2014 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved final 2013 groundwater monitoring reort at 8 areas of concern. Results show diesel range organics above the cleanup level in groundwater at the Former Tank Farm site. Melody Debenham
2/23/2015 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved final 2013 release investigation at 11 areas of concern. Sample results at the Former Tank Farm site shows contaminated soil and groundwater remain at this site. Melody Debenham
12/9/2016 Update or Other Action Teleconference with FAA project manager to discuss future actions at FAA McGrath sites. Melody Debenham
4/19/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Letter sent to FAA advising that no response is required for the Department's December 2016 correspondence. Since multiple AOCs were evaluated using the HRC, ADEC will not be able to use the July 2016 report as a basis for decision making. ADEC will re-evaluate FAA McGrath AOCs that appear ready for closure. Some sites may be eligible for cleanup based on a cumulative risk evaluation. Other sites require additional investigation and/or remediation by FAA. Jamie McKellar
12/7/2017 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 73176 FAA McGrath Former Tank Farm. Jamie McKellar
9/9/2022 Site Characterization Workplan Approved WORK PLAN APPROVED: Final McGrath FAA Station Release Investigation, Groundwater Monitoring, and Risk Calculation (Brice Solutions, LLC, September 2022). Sarah Mutter
6/6/2023 Site Characterization Report Approved REPORT APPROVED: Final McGrath FAA Station Release Investigation, Groundwater Monitoring, and Risk Calculation Report, McGrath, Alaska (Brice Solutions, LLC, June 2023) Ross Renick

Contaminant Information

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State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

P.O. Box 111800
Juneau, AK 99811-1800
Phone: 907-465-5066
Fax: 907-465-5245
TDD: 800-770-8973
Physical Location: 410 Willoughby