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Site Report: Wainwright DEW Line/LIZ-3/Landfill LF006

Site Name: Wainwright DEW Line/LIZ-3/Landfill LF006
Address: Kuk River on the Chuckchi Sea, Wainwright, AK 99782
File Number: 360.38.002
Hazard ID: 25245
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 70.593160
Longitude: -159.856500
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 Wainwright SRRS was constructed as a Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line station in 1953 and closed as a manned station in 1989. It was converted to an unmanned SRRS in 1994. The LF006 is an old landfill located on the edge of the lagoon connected to the Wainwright Inlet south of the installation boundary. One of the technical support documents stated that it was the "south dump site" that was added to the installation in 1957. A North Slope Borough gravel extraction operation was said to completely cover the site in 1987. A records search indicated the landfill had been closed in 1974 and reportedly cleaned up in 1979-1980. During a 1989 site visit for an Environmental Impact Assessment, drums and other metallic debris were noted on the surface of the suspected landfill. This landfill is actively eroding into the lagoon. During the 2007 RI, debris was observed on the surface of the landfill and extended west and southwest into the water of the lagoon/inlet. The surface and subsurface debris included crushed drums, heavy equipment parts, tires, cable and wire, batteries, insulation, glass, plastic, silverware, and dinnerware. The majority of the waste >85% appeared to be industrial-type scrap metal including drums. It appeared that most household waste was encountered on the eastern side of LF006 and most industrial waste was encountered on the western side of LF006. No surface staining or stressed vegetation was observed at LF006. Additionally, no petroleum sheen was observed on the adjacent pond and lagoon drainage area. The maximum soil contamination collected from 1.5 to 2.5 feet bgs were 11,500 ppm DRO and 39,600 ppm RRO. The maximum PCB soil contamination collected from the site had 2.35 ppm (sample located approximately 60 feet from the lagoon). In March and April 2010, the Air Force removed the buried material and contaminated soil from the landfill and shipped the excavated materials off site for proper treatment and disposal.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
10/16/2008 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
10/21/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 78569 name: Eroding Landfill Deborah Williams
1/28/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC staff attended a public meeting in Wainwright, Alaska. The purpose of the meeting was to present the Proposed Plan to the community and provide opportunities for public comments. Attendees at the meeting included the Air Force, their consultants, ADEC, and members of the community. The Proposed Plan summarizes previous environmental investigations and presents the preferred remedial alternatives for the Beach Diesel Tanks site, the Module Train Area, the Old Landfill, and the Garage Area. Melody Debenham
3/3/2010 Interim Removal Action Approved DEC staff reviewed and approved the Final Landfill 006/Landfill 005 Interim Removal Action work plan, dated February 2010. Landfill site LF006 is eroding into the Wainwright Lagoon. The interim removal actions associated with this site include excavating and sampling the landfill, segregating and containerizing solid waste and contaminated soil, and transporting solid waste and contaminated soil for proper treatment or disposal. This work will be done in March and April to allow site access over the frozen tundra. An on-site laboratory will be established to aid decision making in the field. Asbestos containing material has been identified at LF005. The actions associated with LF005 include removing the asbestos containing material and digging test pits to further characterize the landfill. Melody Debenham
7/22/2011 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Approved the Work Plan, Sampling and Analysis Plan, and Waste Management Plan for the 2011 Remedial Action Cleanup at the Wainwright Short Range Radar Station. The remedial action cleanup activities include: relocation of two above ground storage tanks to Barter Island Long Range Radar Site, asbestos abatement, removal and disposal of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) paint and other regulated or hazardous materials at the Module Train Area, Garage, and Vehicle Maintenance Shop, removal and disposal of buried fuel line, removal and disposal of PBC and/or petroleum contaminated soil at the Module Train Area (SS004) and the Garage (SS007), sediment sampling for PCBs near the Old Landfill (LF006), and site restoration. Melody Debenham
9/7/2011 CERCLA ROD Approved DEC signed the Record of Decision describing the final selected remedy for the Old Landfill Site (LF006). The selected remedy includes excavation of buried material and contaminated soil from LF006 and disposal off-site. The Air Force performed the excavation and disposal of LF006 in March and April of 2010 as an interim removal action to prevent additional erosion of the landfill contents into the lagoon. Melody Debenham
10/12/2011 Interim Removal Action Approved Approved the Interim Removal Action Report for the old landfill (LF006) and new landfill (LF005) sites. Interim removal actions at the old landfill included excavating and sampling the landfill, segregating and containerizing solid waste and contaminated soil, and transporting solid waste and contaminated soil for proper treatment or disposal. Approximately 4,350 cubic yards of soil and debris contaminated with petroleum, oil, and lubricants and PCBs were removed. Excavation activities also removed 330 cubic yards of inert metal debris and 38 drums of solid waste. The interim removal actions at the new landfill included removing the asbestos containing material and digging test pits to further characterize the landfill. Melody Debenham
5/1/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved the Wainwright SRRS Landfill 006 Interim Removal Action Work Plan Addendum. Approximately 4,350 cubic yards of soil and debris were removed in 2010 as part of an interim removal action, however several offshore debris fields containing approximately 100 cubic yards of inert metal debris was not addressed. This work plan summarizes the plan for removing the remaining metal debris. In addition, one sediment sample collected during the 2010 field effort had lead contamination above the action level. An additional 1 to 2 cubic yards of contaminated soil will be removed from this location and transported offsite for disposal. Melody Debenham
7/9/2012 Site Visit Performed a site visit to observe the current conditions of the Landfill LF005 and LF006 sites. Melody Debenham
9/26/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved the final Remedial Action Report for the Module Train Area, the Garage Area, the Old Landfill, and the Former Minimally Attended Radar Station (MARS) pipeline. At the Module Train Area PCB and petroleum contaminated soil was removed and transported offsite for treatment. Evidence of a previously undocumented petroleum release under the Module Train Area was encountered during excavation, and additional remedial action will be needed to remove the remaining petroleum contamination. At the Garage Area PCB and petroleum contaminated soil was removed and transported offsite for disposal. Confirmation sampling results indicate that remaining contaminant concentrations are all below the cleanup levels. At the Old Landfill site, 20 sediment samples were collected from within the Kuk Lagoon, offshore from where the interim removal action was performed in 2010. The samples were analyzed for PCBs and results were all below the cleanup level. At the Former MARS Pipeline site, pipelines that connected two former 40,000-gallon diesel skid mounted tanks to the MARS buildings were removed. There were no indications of leaks or spills during removal actions, and confirmation sample results were all below the cleanup levels. Melody Debenham
6/17/2013 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 78569 Eroding Landfill. Melody Debenham
6/18/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved the final Wainwright SRRS LF006 Debris Removal Report summarizing two removal actions at the old landfill (LF006). The objective of this cleanup effort was to remove lead-contaminated soil identified during the 2010 interim removal action and inert metal debris and associated material below the water surface and along the nearby shoreline at LF006 identified in the 2007 remedial investigation. A total of 1 cubic yard of lead-contaminated soil, 32 cubic yards of metal debris, and 28 pounds of lead-acid battery fragments were removed and transported offsite for disposal. Confirmation samples were collected following the lead-contaminated soil excavation activities and analyzed for diesel range organics, residual range organics, polychlorinated biphenyls, and lead. All results were below the 18 AAC 75 Table B1 and B2 Method Two Arctic Zone cleanup levels. Melody Debenham
8/21/2013 Site Visit The contractor has completed site demolition and cleanup activities. The Technical Services Building and the Radar Building/Radar Antenna remain on site. All other buildings have been demolished and all tanks and fuel pipelines have been removed from the site for disposal. Excavation of petroleum contaminated soil from under the Module Train Building has been completed, and the soil is staged for landfarming. The New Landfill Site has been excavated and the contents properly disposed of. Melody Debenham
5/1/2015 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 78569 Eroding Landfill. Melody Debenham
5/26/2015 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued The contents of landfill LF006 were removed and transported off-site for disposal. Remaining contamination in soil is below approved cleanup levels. This site has received a Cleanup Complete designation, subject to the following standard conditions: 1. Any proposal to transport soil or groundwater off-site requires ADEC approval in accordance with 18 AAC 75.325. A “site” [as defined by 18 AAC 75.990 (115)] means an area that is contaminated, including areas contaminated by the migration of hazardous substances from a source area, regardless of property ownership. 2. Movement or use of contaminated material in a manner that results in a violation of 18 AAC 70 water quality standards is prohibited. Melody Debenham
12/21/2018 Update or Other Action Site location updated using coordinates provided by USAF and confirmed by DEC. Eric Breitenberger

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
PCBs - Total < Method 2 Most Stringent Soil
Lead - Total < Method 2 Most Stringent Soil
DRO < Method 2 Most Stringent Soil
RRO < Method 2 Most Stringent Soil

Control Type

Type Details
No ICs Required

Requirements

Description Details
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.
Movement or use of contaminated material (including on site) in a manner that results in a violation of the water quality standards is prohibited (18 AAC 70)

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

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