Skip to content Skip to content

Site Report: Fort Pierce FUDS

Site Name: Fort Pierce FUDS
Address: Mid-Western Shore of Biorka Island, Sitka, AK 99835
File Number: 1542.38.002
Hazard ID: 25445
Status: Active
Staff: Brian Watts, 9072694702 brian.watts@alaska.gov
Latitude: 56.851800
Longitude: -135.558500
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

In 1985, a site visit was conducted on behalf of the USACE to observe and inventory the site. Observations included a 7,500 square foot concrete bunker with associated vaulted fuel tanks and 100 cubic yards of debris, several wooden structures, collapsed metallic tower, automobile remains, and a military dump site. The dump site contained badly corroded drums that appeared empty but may have contained POL. No samples were collected. No hazardous or toxic waste was reported. It was recommended that the two transformers be located and the areas sampled for PCBs. In 1998, USACE conducted a site visit. Based on the previous site information, the focus had been narrowed to the vaulted fuel tanks. Previous investigations also indicated that one of the two transformers had been tested for PCBs (with non-detect results) and removed by the FAA - although it was unknown which transformer was removed. The field team found the two gun emplacements at the six-inch gun artillery bunker and the two concrete vaults each containing diesel fuel tanks. Vault 1 and Tank 1 were located to the north of the artillery bunker. Vault 2 and Tank 2 were located to the south. Also during this site visit, three compressed gas cylinders were found with no identification of contents. Evidence of transformers could not be found. In 2011, both above ground storage tanks 1 & 2 were closed and sampling was conducted. Only one sample six feet south of Vault 1 exceeded cleanup levels with a detection of DRO at 250 mg/kg. Soil at the Powerhouse was also sampled during this field effort. A total of four sample locations exceeded cleanup levels; two locations near the vault, one to the east of the Powerhouse, and one to the northeast of the Powerhouse. Additional soil investigation recommended at the Powerhouse Building and near Vault 1/Tank 1 based on the presence of elevated DRO/RRO. The contents of the small vault, Vault 3, sampled during field activities remain in place and should be removed. During a 2013 site visit, additional features of potential concern were identified to include: Vault 4, Trap 1, Debris Area, Debris Area Ponds 1 and 2, Septic Tank, Parallel Piping, Wood Stave Pipe, Hardened Piece of Asphalt/Tar, Valve Standpipe, Cliff Debris Area, Power Plant, Catch Basins 2 through 6, Electrical Manhole No. 1, Electrical Manhole No. 6, and Signal Corps Manhole No. 8. In 2014, a removal action addressed 10 areas of concern: Vault 3, Vault 4, Trap 1, Catch Basins 2 through 6, Electrical Manholes No. 1 and No. 6, Signal Corps Manhole No. 8, Debris Area, Hardened Asphalt/Tar, Cliff Debris Area, and Power Plan. Other than the Power Plant and Hardened Asphalt, all areas of concern will require additional sampling and/or removal action.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
8/14/2009 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
9/22/2010 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Work plan approved this date for the closure of the ASTs and some limited site investigation. Site work to be conducted by Marsh Creek in Fall 2010. Anne Marie Palmieri
6/16/2011 Update or Other Action Marsh Creek called today. Field work did not occur last fall due to weather, but will be conducted next week. Anne Marie Palmieri
12/15/2011 Site Characterization Report Approved Final Fort Pierce AST cloaure and Site Work report approved this date. Anne Marie Palmieri
12/15/2011 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79224 name: Tank Vaults and Powerhouse Anne Marie Palmieri
2/4/2013 Update or Other Action Project manager changed from Palmieri to Morris. Anne Marie Palmieri
4/18/2014 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other The ADEC Contaminated Site Program conditionally approved the 2014 Fort Pierce Removal Action Work Plan, Biorka Island, Alaska. Jessica Morris
12/29/2014 Update or Other Action The ADEC Contaminated Site Program submitted comments on the 2014 Fort Pierce Removal Action Report, Biorka Island, Alaska. Jessica Morris
9/4/2015 Update or Other Action The ADEC Contaminated Sites Program received the Final Fort Pierce Containerized Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste 2014 Removal Action Report, Biorka Island, Near Sitka, Alaska. We have completed our review of the document and accept it as final. However, the document is not formally approved because several of our comments on the document were not sufficiently addressed, as documented in Appendix N. As discussed in the conclusions and recommendations of the report, further site characterization is required for the Fort Pierce FUDS. The outstanding issues for the site should be addressed in the site characterization work plan. Jessica Morris
2/29/2016 Update or Other Action Project Manager changed from Morris to Weiss-Racine. Holly Weiss-Racine
2/29/2016 Update or Other Action ADEC Approved the closure of this CON/HTRW project, based on the understanding that a separate HTRW project is planned and will include additional site characterization and any necessary cleanup. Holly Weiss-Racine
6/20/2016 Update or Other Action Per discussion between ADEC and USACE, field work (including lead analysis) is proposed for Summer 2017. A work plan will be forthcoming. Holly Weiss-Racine
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

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details

Requirements

Description Details

There are no documents for this site report.

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

Because the GIS location data for this site has not been entered, we cannot direct you to its position on the map. Click "Continue" to proceed to the Contaminated Sites Web Map or "Close" to return to the site report.
Continue     Close