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Site Report: Nowell Mine Old Mill Site

Site Name: Nowell Mine Old Mill Site
Address: Along Sheep Creek; ~0.4 Mile NW of Thane Road and Sheep Creek Trail Road Intersection; ~4 Miles SE of Juneau, Juneau, AK 99801
File Number: 1513.38.093
Hazard ID: 26195
Status: Active
Staff: Brittani Mack, 9072628205 brittani.mack@alaska.gov
Latitude: 58.268255
Longitude: -134.323686
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

Former 20-stamp processing mill for silver and gold constructed in 1896 by the Nowell Gold Mining Company. In 1914, the old mill burned to the ground after it was struck by lightning. The old mine site is about one acre in size with burned timber remnants still present. It is suspected that mercury amalgamation ore purification processes were used at the site. Due to the potential for spills and the unknown quantity of mercury remaining onsite following the fire, it is identified as a primary COC; however several other metals were detected above applicable soil cleanup criteria in sampling in 1988 by E &E. Sheep Creek is immediately nearby and is both habitat for wild anadromous species but also supplies water for a fish hatchery downgradient. 1988 sampling did not show concentrations of COCs above WQS. The site is not on an established trail. May 2014 sampling by Nortech identified the following contaminants above ADEC cleanup levels (concentration ranges in mg/kg given): Arsenic: 7.78-309 Cadmium: 0.33-13.1 Lead: 38.1-3710 Mercury: 1.28-85.4 Selenium: 1.79-4.88 Chromium: 53-100 Silver: 1.59-76.8

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
1/30/2014 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
1/30/2014 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79597 name: Former Mill Site Mitzi Read
2/17/2014 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Sent to AJT Properties on February 14, 2014. Sally Schlichting
2/19/2014 Update or Other Action Contacted by ERM consultants out of Anchorage to discuss the transfer of assets from AJT properties to Avista Corp. Sally Schlichting
4/29/2014 Site Visit On Tuesday April 29th CS staff Sally Schlichting and Danielle Duncan accompanied NORTECH staff and representatives from Avista Corp (Bruce Howard) and AELP (Bill Corbus) on a site visit to the Nowell Mine Old Mill site in Sheep Creek valley south of downtown Juneau. Avista Corp will be acquiring all AJT properties (of which this is one) as part of the AELP merger/acquisition expected to be finalized in a few months. Previous sampling at this former mine site documented elevated concentrations of arsenic, lead, mercury, and silver but was limited in scope. Purpose of site visit was to gain understanding of the area and identify discrete sample locations for better characterization. NORTECH to carry out additional sampling in early May. Sally Schlichting
4/29/2014 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Sampling plan for RCRA metals submitted by NORTECH on behalf of AJT properties reviewed and approved with changes. Samples will be collected in low drainage areas throughout the site, scheduled for May 7, 2014. Sally Schlichting
5/9/2014 Site Visit Assisted NORTECH with discrete soil sampling at the site. Sampled drainages and the vicinity around the foundation. Danielle Duncan
6/27/2014 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Rec'd Site Assessment Report from Nortech. The following concentration ranges of elements were found in soil (mg/kg): As 8-309, Ba 49-1040, Cd 0.3-13, Cr 52-100, Pb 39-3700, Hg 2-85, Se 1-5, Ag 0.7-76. Danielle Duncan
8/20/2014 Site Characterization Report Approved Sent approval letter and comments to interested parties re: Site Assessment Report from Nortech. Danielle Duncan
12/5/2014 Institutional Control Record Established Institutional Controls established and entered into the database. Sent letter to RP approving the use of warning signage. Danielle Duncan
3/16/2015 Update or Other Action Spoke to RP and the signs have been ordered and Nortech has been hired to place them at the site. They expect that the signs will go up in a few weeks and they will send pictures documenting their locations. Danielle Duncan
9/2/2015 Update or Other Action Rec'd a letter from Nortech documenting the placement of 4 warning signs on 4/24/14 on site that bracket the contaminated area. They plan on doing a site visit this fall to verify that they are still up and in good condition. Danielle Duncan
1/18/2017 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 79597 Former Mill Site. Danielle Duncan

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
Mercury - Total > Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Mercury concentrations at the site range from 1-85 mg/kg.
Lead - Total > Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Lead concentrations at the site range from 38-3710 mg/kg.
Arsenic - Total > Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Arsenic concentrations at the site range from 8-309 mg/kg.
Cadmium - Total Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Cadmium concentrations at the site range from 0.3-13 mg/kg.
Selenium - Total Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Selenium concentrations at the site range from 1-5 mg/kg.
Silver - Total Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Silver concentrations at the site range from 0.6-77 mg/kg.

Control Type

Type Details
Other NOTICE: This area has been found to contain elevated levels of heavy metals related to historic mining activity. Please refrain from harvesting edible vegetation from the immediate area. For further information, please contact AJT Mining at (907) 463-6326 or ADEC at (907) 465-5207.

Requirements

Description Details
Excavation / Soil Movement Restrictions
Groundwater Use Restrictions
Maintenance / Inspection Of Engineering Controls The warning signs must be checked annually to make sure that they are in place and in good condition.
Hazard ID Site Name File Number
404 Alaska Gastineau Mine Tailings 1513.38.013

Missing Location Data

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