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Site Report: Usibelli Coal Mine

Site Name: Usibelli Coal Mine
Address: Approx 5 Mi E of Healy, Near Healy Creek, Healy, AK 99743
File Number: 150.26.001
Hazard ID: 24151
Status: Active
Staff: Janice Wiegers, 9074512127 janice.wiegers@alaska.gov
Latitude: 63.861189
Longitude: -148.783835
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 Healy Creek Facility is owned and operated by the Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. It is located within an area of the Healy Creek Valley which was formerly used for the storage of equipment, an airplane hangar, maintenance buildings and offices in support of coal mining operations between 1940 and 1984. Groundwater beneath the site is shallow (less than 15 feet below ground surface (bgs)). The ground water gradient is in the south-west direction and is influenced by local surface-water drainage towards Healy Creek (approximately 300 feet away). Three 10,000-gallon waste oil tanks (HCF-1, HCF-4, HCF-6), one 5,000-gallon 10-weight oil tank (HCF-3), and one 2,000-gallon anti-freeze tank (HCF-2) were located on-site. These underground storage tanks (USTs) were excavated and removed from 1989 through 1991. Metal piping connecting the USTs with distribution units was located within a concrete block utilidor which was installed at the ground surface and is approximately 95 feet in length. Six groundwater monitoring wells were installed at the site in 1992 and samples were analyzed for DRO and BTEX. In 1993, a total of 2,246.18 tons of contaminated soil was excavated and thermally remediated at Organic Incineration Technology (OIT).

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
8/11/1989 Site Visit FI; Soil samples obtained by C. Boddy from base of excavations for gasoline and waste oil USTs. Analyses indicate presence of low levels of trichloroethane and xylenes, up to 3050 ppm TPH, and possibly elevated metals levels near the waste oil tank. Low levels of ethylbenzene, toluene, xylenes, and trichloroethane (TCE), up to 2100 ppm TPH and possibly elevated metals near gasoline tank. Former Staff
8/11/1989 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Release Confirmed - Petroleum LUST Site created in CSP for source area ID 77818 ADD; Former Staff
8/11/1989 Site Added to Database Former Staff
10/9/1989 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Corrective Action Underway RAPR; Remedial action plan for underground tank removal and removal of contaminated soil developed by Shannon & Wilson. Former Staff
10/12/1989 Update or Other Action REM; Tank removal and excavation of contaminated soil. Soil stockpiled on concrete slab on site. Samples taken on 10/17/89 from waste oil tank and base of waste oil UST excavation showed 57,000 ppm TPH and low levels of tetrachloroethene (PCE), TCE, toluene, and xylenes in soil. Heavier, non-chlorinated aromatics also present in soil. Analysis of waste oil sludge did not detect PCBs. EP tox metals, flashpoint, halogens within acceptable ranges. Former Staff
3/10/1992 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Corrective Action Underway LCAR; Reviewed Corrective action plan & made recommendations for additional site monitoring and remediation. Former Staff
3/17/1992 Update or Other Action MEET; With Usibelli staff & consultants to discuss tank closure. Former Staff
3/25/1992 Update or Other Action CORR; Wrote ltr. w/comments. Former Staff
3/25/1992 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Emergency Response IA; W Former Staff
7/25/1992 Underground Storage Tank Site Characterization or Assessment SA1; Basketfield report Usibelli Coal Mine undertook 3 soil borings approx. 20 ft. away from four 4,000 gal. bare steel USTs located beneath Lignite Creek maint. bldg. Former Staff
8/3/1992 Update or Other Action CORR; Thomas reviewed & approved groundwater sampling plan. Former Staff
8/4/1992 Release Investigation SA2; RP installed and sampled 6 MWs. This is "Healy Creek Facility" sub-site. Found non-detect for benzene, and trace of TEX in one well. Minor gas range TPH (EPA 8015), i.e. < 2.02 ppm. Former Staff
10/1/1992 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Initiated - Petroleum LCAU; This is the "Lignite Creek Facility" sub-site: 400-500 cu yds contaminated soil removed from "toe" of ramp in area of former dispenser. subsequent sampling of diesel range hydrocarbs indicate <200 ppm cleanup level. Site recommended for closure. Former Staff
11/6/1992 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Corrective Action Underway LCAR; Basketfield: Report was sent by Usibelli to Central Office, and was not rec'd by NRO until 3-17-93 entitled "Lignite Creek Facility Site Assessment and Program of continuing use of LUSTs, Usibelli Coal mine, Healy, Alaska," dated Oct. 1992. Former Staff
3/18/1993 Underground Storage Tank Site Characterization or Assessment SA1R; Basketfield reviewed Oct. '92 America North/EMCON report "Lignite Creek facility site Assessment and Program for Continuing Use of USTs, Usibelli Coal Mine, Healy, Alaska." Former Staff
3/25/1993 Update or Other Action CORR; Basketfield sent letter to Charles P. Boddy, requesting remedial plan for waste oil contaminated soil and tightness tests to verify that tanks are sound. Former Staff
4/7/1993 Release Investigation RELR; Basketfield reviewed America North's "Healy Creek Facility Groundwater Monitoring Report," dated 12/92. Non-detect for benzene in 6 monitor wells sampled. Trace amounts of TEX, all below MCL's, and EPA 8015 gave 0.315, 0.453, and 2.01 ppm. Former Staff
4/7/1993 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Corrective Action Underway LCAR; Basketfield reviewed America North's " Lignite Creek Facility Underground storage tank closure report -ADEC # 0-000264 (LCF-3) and (Tanks LCF-10 and LCF-11)." dated 2/93. Approx. 300-400 cu yds contaminated soil excavated and stockpiled. Site recommended for "closure pending" status. Former Staff
5/3/1993 Update or Other Action CP; Recommended "closure pending" status of "Healy Creek Facility" site based on GW sampling analyses. 300-400 cu yds contaminated soil stockpiled and needs to be remediated/disposed. Also recommend "closure pending" status for "Lignite Creek Facility" sub-site pending remediation/disposal of stockpiled contaminated soils. Site at toe of hill, former area for diesel fuel. Approx. 400-500 cu yds contam soil stockpiled. Former Staff
1/14/1994 Update or Other Action RPL2; Peterson sent PRP-CS Database Notification Letter to RP requesting update and more environmental information concerning contaminated site. No response has ever been rec'd as of this "complete date". Former Staff
6/6/1994 Update or Other Action CORR; Wingerter sent letter informing RP of their financial liability under new ADEC cost recovery policy. State is authorized, under Section 9003(h) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to take action on this LUST facility. Former Staff
11/20/1997 Update or Other Action ADEC sends Notification of Intent to Cost Recover Letter to Current Owner: USIBELLI COAL MINE INC. Former Staff
1/28/2004 Update or Other Action Transferred DEC staff lead from John Carnahan Cynthia Pring-Ham
11/19/2004 Update or Other Action ADEC sent letter to Usibelli stating that in order for a NFRAP determination to be considered for this site the following additional information was required: a summary of the contaminants of concern at the site as well as a conceptual site model that evaluates all the risk exposure pathways. Deborah Williams
4/18/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ETM ranking completed Evonne Reese
3/11/2009 Update or Other Action Several issues need resolved before closure: the disposition of all the stock piles,thermal remediation receipts, updated groundwater conditions and decommissioning of monitoring wells, present and future use of facility, other potential sources of contamination (ASTs, drums, surface stains, floor drains?). Neal Everson
3/13/2013 Update or Other Action DEC has completed closure evaluation and is checking on disposition of stockpile. Laurel Gale
2/15/2024 Update or Other Action DEC reviewed temporary water use application for dewatering from hanger pit and creek diversion that will be associated with mining in the area. Janice Wiegers

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