Site Report: FAA Chirikof Island Radio Range Facility
| Site Name: | FAA Chirikof Island Radio Range Facility |
|---|---|
| Address: | Northern Tip of Chirikof Island; ~90 Miles SSW of Akhiok, Akhiok, AK 99615 |
| File Number: | 2504.38.004 |
| Hazard ID: | 26412 |
| Status: | Cleanup Complete |
| Staff: | No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov |
| Latitude: | 55.907030 |
| Longitude: | -155.589837 |
| Horizontal Datum: | WGS84 |
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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
A radio range facility was abandoned on Chirikof Island after WWII. The facility encompassed 2-3 acres of land. During construction, the top layer of tundra grass was removed exposing loose, fine grained sand. Since the navigational facility was constructed, the surface of the ground has lost eight to ten feet of sand due to wind erosion. Construction and operational debris are scattered over a 2-3 acre area. Drums (originally containing fuel and lubricant) and parts of drums are everywhere, including a stack of approximately 150 well-weathered and corroded drums. At the time of use, salt air and moisture corroded the drums rapidly causing approximately 25% product loss due to leaks. Large batteries, parts of batteries, and lengths of lead shielded cable are numerous. Weathered and corroded 4-foot steel cylinders, some still intact, are scattered. Hardened contents of quart and gallon size paint cans are scattered about (the steel long ago completely corroded away), as are pieces of electronics and small sealed transformers. Transformers were likely filled with PCBs at the time of use, but no liquid filled transformers were observed. No visual or olfactory evidence of petroleum contamination on soil was observed at the site. Highly corroded electrical generators are in tact and may still contain operational fluids. No dumps or landfills were discovered during the site visit. However, dump sites were a common feature of remote FAA facilities in the 1940s and it is likely one existed, according to the FAA project manager.
Action Information
| Action Date | Action | Description | DEC Staff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/26/2015 | Site Added to Database | A new site has been added to the database | Mitzi Read |
| 4/18/2017 | Site Characterization Workplan Approved | DEC approved the final work plan for Chirikof Infrastructure Removal and Release Investigation. The work plan describes the activities to be completed under Phase 1 of a two-phase project. The primary objectives of Phase 1 are to identify all infrastructure which is contaminated or has the potential to contaminate the environment with hydrocarbons, PCBs, metals, or asbestos, or has an associated safety hazard which may require management under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and determine the magnitude and extent of all soil and water contamination. Known contaminated material which can be removed by hand, such as batteries, transformers, and cylinders, will be removed during Phase 1. | Joy Whitsel |
| 12/15/2017 | Site Characterization Report Approved | DEC approves the Final Report, Chirikof Infrastructure Removal and Release Investigation (RI) at Chirikof Island, Alaska, dated November 2017. The purpose of this remedial investigation (RI) was to investigate the condition and potential contamination associated with the Radio Relay Facility infrastructure on Chirikof Island, Alaska. Analytical soil samples were compared to the DEC Method Two, Over 40-Inch Zone cleanup levels for gasoline range organics (GRO), diesel range organics (DRO), residual range organics (RRO), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and total xylenes (BTEX), metals, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Additionally, lead was also compared to the Ecological Soil Screening Level (Eco-SSL) for avian wildlife. Soil borings were hand augured down to 10 feet below ground surface (bgs) and groundwater was not encountered. Surface water ingestion, direct contact and sediment direct contact exposure routes are considered complete as a result of soil entering the ocean from wind erosion. Results from this 2017 RI indicate that remaining debris at Chirikof Island is not contaminated with asbestos contaminated material (ACM), PCBs or leachable lead. Several of the areas of concern (AOC); the Quarters Building 1, Storage Building, Engine Generator Building and Drum Pile 1 still have contaminated soil that has been recommended for removal. It is also recommended that the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conclude on what remaining infrastructure should remain or be removed. | Erica Blake |
| 1/16/2018 | Exposure Tracking Model Ranking | Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79783 name: FAA Chirikof Island Radio Range Facility | Erica Blake |
| 4/19/2018 | Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other | DEC approved the final Remedial Action Work Plan for the Chirikof Island Radio Range Facility on Chirikof Island, Alaska (dated April 2018). The Work Plan describes soil removal action and groundwater investigation work at four remaining areas of concern (Storage Building, Engine Generator Building, Quarters Building 1 and Drum Pile 1) that were identified during the Phase I Remedial Investigation. Remaining soil contaminants are diesel range organics (DRO), residual range organics (RRO), and lead. Groundwater contaminants to be investigated are; gasoline range organics (GRO), DRO, RRO, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (BTEX) and lead. This work is expected to occur during late April/May 2018. | Erica Blake |
| 4/3/2019 | Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other | DEC approved the Remedial Action Report, Chirikof Island, Alaska, dated March 2019. The document describes Phase 2 remedial activities that were performed on Chirikof Island, Alaska from April 30 through May 23, 2018. The purpose of the Phase 2 activities were to remove to the extent practicable, the remaining contaminants identified from the Phase 1 activities, and to investigate the groundwater. Approximately 174-cubic yards of soil were removed. Groundwater was not encountered. Based on the results from this report, DEC concurs that the site is likely ready to be closed. DEC will work with FAA and USFWS to achieve site closure. | Kevin Fraley |
| 12/13/2019 | Update or Other Action | Letter received from the USFWS indicating USFWS support of No Further Action/Cleanup Complete for the site. | Kevin Fraley |
| 2/27/2020 | Cleanup Complete Determination Issued | The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Contaminated Sites Program (ADEC) has completed a review of the environmental records associated with the FAA Chirikof Island Radio Range Facility located south of Akhiok, Alaska. Based on the information provided to date, it has been determined that the contaminant concentrations remaining on site do not pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment and no further remedial action will be required unless information becomes available that indicates residual contaminants may pose an unacceptable risk | Kevin Fraley |
Contaminant Information
| Name | Level Description | Media | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| DRO | Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation | Soil | Maximum remaining level 4,860 mg/kg. This is above MTG and below human health levels but the MTG-exceeding soil samples were bounded below by concentrations below MTG level. |
| RRO | < Method 2 Most Stringent | Soil | RRO is below all applicable cleanup levels (maximum remaining 3,920 mg/kg) |
| Lead - Total | < Method 2 Most Stringent | Soil | Remaining lead contamination is below ADEC and Eco-SSL soil cleanup levels (Maximum concentration remaining 7.67 mg/kg) |
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.