Site Report: Alaska Husky Battery, Inc.

Site Name:	Alaska Husky Battery, Inc.
Address:	4540 Mountain View Drive, at North Bliss Street, Anchorage, AK 99508
File Number:	2100.38.440
Hazard ID:	302
Status:	Active
Staff:	Alena Voigt, 9072697556 alena.voigt@alaska.gov
Latitude:	61.225887
Longitude:	-149.795591
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.

Site Chronology
IC / Closure Details
Documents
Associated Sites

Problems/Comments

Facility operations began in 1952 at this site until the mid-1960s. During this time, Alaska Husky Battery used the location to salvage lead plates from lead-acid batteries. From 1974-1976, the facility recycled scrap metal and handled electrical transformers. Lead-acid liquid wastes generated were discharged to an on-site subsurface disposal crib until 1962. The sewer service line became a corroded and leaked an unknown quantity of lead-acid wastewater into the surrounding soils. In 1988, concentrations of lead were found in the surface soils up to 67,000 ppm directly south of the building and extended to all areas investigated during the investigation including the property across North Bliss Street, the back alley, and residences to the south. Concentrations of PCBs were confirmed up to 2,320 ppm in the southwest corner of the property. One round of groundwater monitoring occurred at this time and did not reveal concentrations of lead or PCBs in groundwater. However, concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) were present in the groundwater, likely attributed to a gas station located upgradient to the northeast. In 1988, lack of an appropriate response by the responsible party warranted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contractors performed a critical removal action to mitigate immediate health threats posed by lead, trichlorobenzene (TCB) and PCBs. Following the EPA critical removal action, it was decided that concentrations of PCBs and lead met the EPA cleanup levels of 1,000 ppm for lead and 10 ppm for PCBs, but still exceeded ADEC cleanup levels. Therefore, the site would be managed by the state. Concentrations of TCB met both EPA and ADEC cleanup levels at that time. Concentrations of lead remain in the soil up to 6,500 ppm and concentrations of5/22/2023 PCBs remain in the soil up to 52 ppm. Six inches of clean soil was used to bring the excavation to grade following the excavation. A permanent fence was also placed around the property.

Action Information

Action Date	Action	Description	DEC Staff
12/14/1984	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	EPA funded a preliminary assessment (PA) conducted by TetraTech in October 1984. The 1984 PA found that the site posed a direct contact hazard with unrestricted access and contamination of surface soil and the groundwater aquifer. Site ranked medium priority by EPA requiring followup Site Inspection (SI)under the CERCLA process. Results of four surface soil samples collected from the unpaved work yard indicated elevated levels of lead (23,080 ppm to 77,730 ppm). Three of the four samples also exceeded the Extraction Procedure Toxicity (EP Tox) hazardous waste criterion for lead of 5.0 ppm (40 CFR 261.24). The report concluded that the site appeared to present a threat to the public health and/or environment and recommended that an extent of contamination survey be performed.	Former Staff
5/30/1986	Site Characterization Report Approved	USEPA Site Investigation (SI) dated May 1986 under the CERCLA process conducted by Ecology & Environment on November 13 and 15, 1985. Soil samples were collected at several depths in three fifteen foot borings. Water samples were taken at the facility well, one of the borings and in neighboring drinking water wells. Lead in soil levels were as high as 2,700 mg/kg, but decreased rapidly with depth. Groundwater samples also contained elevated levels of lead but results were questionable due to lack of filtration of suspended solids. Soil pH levels were as low as 4.14, The lowered pH levels were evident to at least the 3.0 to 4.5 foot depth.	Former Staff
12/9/1986	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Meeting between RP James Welker, Dan Crevensten (TN&H) and Carl Reller of ADEC. RP clarified process description.	Former Staff
6/30/1987	Update or Other Action	ADEC letter with subject line "Superfund Site Investigation - Final Report" to James Welker, owner of Husky Battery. The letter states that ADEC reviewed the final report for the site investigation done under CERCLA (Superfund) and requested a response to requests for action no later than August 1, 1987. Findings included that DEC determined that the levels of lead and acid at the site present a substantial and imminent health risk to the public through direct exposure to surface soils and are a potential threat of contamination to groundwater. ADEC requested response action to include erecting a fence, posting the facility site, and define the contaminated area and remove or control all soil exceeding 500 mg/kg lead. The letter further notifies the site owner that if he does not choose to conduct his own remedial actions, ADEC will take enforcement action and seek cost recovery.	Former Staff
8/25/1987	Site Visit	Field inspection; air sampling program conducted at the site by ADEC. Lead levels in the respirable air found to be below EPA recommended values. Further air sampling was not recommended. ADEC memorandum dated October 15, 1987 states that previous initial sampling showed an offsite lead concentration of lead in the respirable dust nearly one hundred times the ambient standard.	Former Staff
3/30/1988	Site Characterization Report Approved	Phase I Site Assessment Approval. Review PIRM Extension Area Characterization Report.	Former Staff
6/27/1988	Interim Removal Action Approved	EPA's 6/27/88 Project Fact Sheet states that site surface soils were covered with a dust suppressant. Air monitor positioned in nearby yard and periodically sampled.	Former Staff
7/1/1988	Interim Removal Action Approved	EPA and its contractors began removal by excavating lead and PCB contaminated soils. Originally estimates were set for 900 cubic yards of soil to be excavated, but additional contamination was found.	Former Staff
9/28/1988	Interim Removal Action Approved	EPA letter of this date notifying ADEC that a "CERCLA Removal" cleanup action at site has been completed and that ADEC should expect an "On-Scene Coordinator's Report" detailing the specifics of the project. EPA's letter notes that some residual contamination exists in levels above cleanup goals, but it has been covered with 1-2' of clean soil. Cleanup goal for lead is 500 mg/kg. EPA suggested that ADEC spend any available cleanup funds on investigating petroleum hydrocarbon contamination discovered in site groundwater, as petroleum hydrocarbon contamination is not in the jurisdiction of CERCLA cleanups. EPA's letter included two enclosures that provided detailed information on monitoring well sampling results, noting also that the monitoring wells were available for ADEC use.	Former Staff
10/17/1988	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Report submitted: "TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TEAM ON-SCENE COORDINATOR REPORT FOR: Alaska Husky Battery, Anchorage, Alaska, TDD T10-8810-039" dated September 1988. Reports work done in May 1988 by contractor Ecology & Environment's Technical Assistance Team (TAT). The site assessment was done according to Technical Direction Document (TDD) T10-8803-003. The assessment included: surface and subsurface soil sampling facilitating the determination of the extent of soil contamination associated with the AHB site; groundwater sampling to evaluate the possibility of groundwater contamination by AHB process wastes; and a detailed study of the local geology and hydrogeology. During the assessment 4 monitoring wells were installed and several chemical compounds associated with gasoline were detected in groundwater and in the smear zone soil associated with the soil/groundwater interface with the report concluding that there appears to be a strong possibility that contamination migrated onto the site from an off-site, upgradient Leaking Underground Storage Tank site (LUST). EPA referred information regarding the petroleum contamination to the State for action since EPA cannot use CERCLA funds for cleanup of petroleum spills. Soil sample #T8050104 had an estimated level of 22,000 ug/mg benzene detected and sample #T8050105 had 30,000 ug/kg benzene detected. Water sample T8050117 had 19 ug/L benzene and a rerun of same sample showed 22 ug/L.	Former Staff
1/30/1989	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	ADEC received "Technical Assistance Team On-Scene Coordinator Report for Alaska Husky Battery” prepared by Ecology and Environment, Inc. (E&E) for USEPA dated December 1988 and received by ADEC on January 30, 1989. The report summarized site activities including surface and subsurface soil sampling, groundwater sampling of four monitoring wells installed in May 1988 to evaluate the possibility of groundwater contamination by process wastes, and a detailed study of the local geology and hydrogeology. Several chemical compounds associated with gasoline were detected in 4 on-site borings, three of which were completed as monitoring wells, in groundwater and in the smear zone soil associated with the soil/groundwater interface. The report concluded that petroleum contaminants migrated from an off-site upgradient source, namely the Renner’s No. 2 gas station northeast of the site. EPA referred information regarding the petroleum contamination to the State for action since EPA cannot use CERCLA funds for cleanup of petroleum spills. On-site samples impacted by petroleum included soil sample #T8050104 with 22,000 ug/kg benzene detected and sample #T8050105 with 30,000 ug/kg benzene detected . Water sample T8050117 had 19 ug/L benzene. The report states that 1,345 cubic yards of lead/ polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) contaminated soils were excavated, containerized, and shipped out of Alaska for disposal at a permitted hazardous waste disposal facility in Arlington, Oregon. The report notes that site assessments conducted by the E&E TAT in August 1987 also documented the presence of PCBs in on-site (i.e. on-property) soils and in off-site (i.e. off-property) soils during May 1988 assessments. Based on the potential for contamination of the shallow aquifer that flows beneath the site by Alaska Husky Battery process wastes, and the potential adverse health effects associated with the contact, inhalation or ingestion of lead or PCB contaminated soil, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared the site a threat to public health and the environment. Due to lack of appropriate response by the Potentially Responsible Party, on June 16, 1988, the Region X EPA initiated a time-critical removal action. On-site removal activities were performed from July 1 through September 9, 1988, that included daily cost tracking utilizing the Removal Cost Management System (RCMS); the establishment and maintenance of site security; disposal of drummed drill cuttings and well development waters generated during the TAT May 1988 site assessment; and the excavation, containerization, transportation and disposal of approximately 1345 cubic yards of lead-, PCB- and trichlorobenzene-contaminated soils. Upon completion of cleanup verification sampling, the site was backfilled to original grade, and a permanent site security fence was erected. Soil disposal was completed on November 2, 1988. The approximate cost of the AHB removal action was $1,290,160.	Former Staff
2/22/1989	Update or Other Action	ADEC letter to attorney for bankruptcy of Welkers/Alaska Husky Battery. The letter refers to the Husky Battery property located in the Big Lake area, off Hollywood Road, but refers to the Anchorage site when recommending having "the floor drain sewer lines pressure tested" and sampling of "soils, the floor drain tank, the septic tank and the barrels that are reportedly stockpiled near the building for lead levels and appropriate hazardous waste criteria." The letter thanks the attorney for bringing the bankruptcy to ADEC's attention during a telephone call on 2/17/1989. (Note that ADEC's CERCLA Update Memorandum dated March 9, 1987 stated of Husky Battery that "all manufacturing operations are being moved out to a new site in the Mat-Su area; the Anchorage site will be for distribution/marketing only."	Former Staff
3/27/1989	Update or Other Action	ADEC recd copy of bankruptcy completion as Discharge of Joint Debtors for the Welkers in Bankruptcy Case No. A88-01087.	Former Staff
5/23/1990	Site Added to Database	Sulphuric acid, lead, petroleum hydrocarbons, trichlorobenzene, and polychlorinated biphenyls.	Former Staff
11/21/1990	Site Ranked Using the AHRM	Initial ranking.	Former Staff
6/22/1992	Update or Other Action	EPA letter to ADEC dated 6/22/1992 notes that a RCRA generator number used during the Husky Battery cleanup, which was completed in fall 1988, was inadvertently not closed out, but EPA will now do so.	Former Staff
4/6/1994	Update or Other Action	Email by Doreen Sullivan-Garcia to spill response and contaminated sites staff includes the following: "Sewer Damage: Last year, Anchorage Wastewater Utility (AWWU) sent a camera down the sewer and found the bottom of the pipe is gone for about 1200 feet. The damage to the pipe starts at Husky and tapers with distance....AWWU(is) hesitant to dig anything up...The plan is to insert a steam activated epoxy coated sock that will form a 20-yr pipe inside the existing line from the manhole so as not to do any digging". Additionally the writer indicates that the petroleum hydrocarbons detected in the groundwater may be from the nearby Renner's site. Email stems from conversation between Sullivan-Garcia and AWWU Operations Manager Charlie Bryant regarding a sewer main in the vicinity of Husky Battery scheduled for repairs within the next year or two due to cracks.	Former Staff
7/28/1995	Update or Other Action	Staff advised by previous project manager via email of this date that the site is no longer subject to CERCLA regulations and that EPA's cleanup criteria have been met under that program. Contamination will now be regulated under state hazardous substance regulations.	Former Staff
1/16/1996	Update or Other Action	With EPA concurrence, ADEC advised the Municipality of Anchorage that excavation sampling should occur for utility work adjacent to and associated with the site. Conversation record dated 1/12/1996 in file by ADEC staff Ray Dronenburg re conversation with Jerry Dunn AWWU: wastewater line has been excavated and sleeved 200 feet (sewage line is made of concrete). Entire bottom of pipe rotted out. Still one collapsed section near cleanout at rear of Husky Alaska Battery; the job is 95% complete. Depth to excavation 11-17 feet.	Ray Dronenburg
8/4/1999	Site Ranked Using the AHRM	Site reranked by staff.	Eileen Olson
5/10/2000	Update or Other Action	Combined relevant data from Reckey 1988210127202, Mountain View Dr. and Bliss Street-Husky, into this Reckey as it was a duplicate.	Former Staff
11/9/2004	Update or Other Action	File number issued 2100.38.440	Aggie Blandford
3/30/2007	Update or Other Action	Staff reassigned from Sundet to Olson.	Aggie Blandford
5/4/2007	Exposure Tracking Model Ranking	Site ranked with Exposure Tracking Model	Eileen Olson
12/12/2012	Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter	ADEC notification of potentially responsible party (PRP) status and of state cost recovery requirements. The letter also included an information request and provided an explanation regarding the relationship between federal and state ADEC regulations; that is, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed a time critical removal action in 1988 under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). However, the site has been continuously open and subject to State of Alaska contaminated sites regulations since EPA completed work in 1988.	Eileen Olson
1/28/2013	Meeting or Teleconference Held	On January 28, 2013 staff met with RP. RP hand-delivered records regarding his ownership, modifications to property, and land use as requested in the PRP letter.	Eileen Olson
4/27/2023	Update or Other Action	Inquiry from AWWU on this date regarding utility upgrades planned to the property directly to the east across N. Bliss St. (235 N. Bliss St.). The developer plans to convert the property into a dispensary and abandon the existing utilities in place and replace the water and sewer, which would also require access to the alley behind the former Alaska Husky Battery building. DEC informed AWWU that the site is still heavily contaminated with lead, PCBs, and petroleum hydrocarbons. A QEP needs to be hired to write a soil-groundwater management plan and determine whether coordination with EPA is necessary. Coordination with the Drinking Water Program will also be necessary.	Naomi Mason
5/25/2023	Site Visit	ADEC staff conducted site visit on this date. The owner is currently living in the building on the site. Two monitoring wells are still in relatively good condition on the site and could likely be sampled. Owner stores vehicles in first floor garage area and lives in the upstairs small apartment unit of the building, which also appears to be in good condition. Prior to site visit, spoke with management about pursuing state-lead on this site. No work has been completed on the site since the 1980s. Neighbors to the immediate west are connected to a private well in addition to many others in the vicinity.	Naomi Mason
6/20/2023	Site Visit	ADEC visited the site on this date to gauge the monitoring wells to determine if groundwater was present. Two of the three monitoring wells installed in 1986 were successfully gauged and contained groundwater at approximately 28 feet below ground surface. The third monitoring well (W1) could not be accessed, the well cap appears to be rusted to the well.	Naomi Mason
7/24/2023	Site Visit	ADEC Site Visit conducted on this day to collect drinking water samples from Sullivan's Upholstery (4520 Mountain View Drive). Samples were submitted for laboratory analysis of gasoline range organics (GRO), diesel range organics (DRO), residual range organics (RRO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and lead.	Naomi Mason
8/31/2023	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	On August 18, 2023, ADEC received laboratory analytical results for the drinking water samples collected from Sullivan's Upholstery shop which borders the Alaska Husky Battery property to the west. Laboratory analytical results revealed no detections of any of the analytes with the exception of two PAH constituents: benzo[a]pyrene (0.00558 micrograms per liter [µg/L]) and dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (0.00536 µg/L). Both were well below the cleanup level for both constituents (0.25 µg/L). Letter sent on this day to the owners of Alaska Husky Battery and Sullivan's Upholstery. Both parties were also consulted via phone to explain the results.	Naomi Mason

Action Date

Action

Description

DEC Staff

12/14/1984

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

EPA funded a preliminary assessment (PA) conducted by TetraTech in October 1984. The 1984 PA found that the site posed a direct contact hazard with unrestricted access and contamination of surface soil and the groundwater aquifer. Site ranked medium priority by EPA requiring followup Site Inspection (SI)under the CERCLA process. Results of four surface soil samples collected from the unpaved work yard indicated elevated levels of lead (23,080 ppm to 77,730 ppm). Three of the four samples also exceeded the Extraction Procedure Toxicity (EP Tox) hazardous waste criterion for lead of 5.0 ppm (40 CFR 261.24). The report concluded that the site appeared to present a threat to the public health and/or environment and recommended that an extent of contamination survey be performed.

Former Staff

5/30/1986

Site Characterization Report Approved

USEPA Site Investigation (SI) dated May 1986 under the CERCLA process conducted by Ecology & Environment on November 13 and 15, 1985. Soil samples were collected at several depths in three fifteen foot borings. Water samples were taken at the facility well, one of the borings and in neighboring drinking water wells. Lead in soil levels were as high as 2,700 mg/kg, but decreased rapidly with depth. Groundwater samples also contained elevated levels of lead but results were questionable due to lack of filtration of suspended solids. Soil pH levels were as low as 4.14, The lowered pH levels were evident to at least the 3.0 to 4.5 foot depth.

Former Staff

12/9/1986

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Meeting between RP James Welker, Dan Crevensten (TN&H) and Carl Reller of ADEC. RP clarified process description.

Former Staff

6/30/1987

Update or Other Action

ADEC letter with subject line "Superfund Site Investigation - Final Report" to James Welker, owner of Husky Battery. The letter states that ADEC reviewed the final report for the site investigation done under CERCLA (Superfund) and requested a response to requests for action no later than August 1, 1987. Findings included that DEC determined that the levels of lead and acid at the site present a substantial and imminent health risk to the public through direct exposure to surface soils and are a potential threat of contamination to groundwater. ADEC requested response action to include erecting a fence, posting the facility site, and define the contaminated area and remove or control all soil exceeding 500 mg/kg lead. The letter further notifies the site owner that if he does not choose to conduct his own remedial actions, ADEC will take enforcement action and seek cost recovery.

Former Staff

8/25/1987

Site Visit

Field inspection; air sampling program conducted at the site by ADEC. Lead levels in the respirable air found to be below EPA recommended values. Further air sampling was not recommended. ADEC memorandum dated October 15, 1987 states that previous initial sampling showed an offsite lead concentration of lead in the respirable dust nearly one hundred times the ambient standard.

Former Staff

3/30/1988

Site Characterization Report Approved

Phase I Site Assessment Approval. Review PIRM Extension Area Characterization Report.

Former Staff

6/27/1988

Interim Removal Action Approved

EPA's 6/27/88 Project Fact Sheet states that site surface soils were covered with a dust suppressant. Air monitor positioned in nearby yard and periodically sampled.

Former Staff

7/1/1988

Interim Removal Action Approved

EPA and its contractors began removal by excavating lead and PCB contaminated soils. Originally estimates were set for 900 cubic yards of soil to be excavated, but additional contamination was found.

Former Staff

9/28/1988

Interim Removal Action Approved

EPA letter of this date notifying ADEC that a "CERCLA Removal" cleanup action at site has been completed and that ADEC should expect an "On-Scene Coordinator's Report" detailing the specifics of the project. EPA's letter notes that some residual contamination exists in levels above cleanup goals, but it has been covered with 1-2' of clean soil. Cleanup goal for lead is 500 mg/kg. EPA suggested that ADEC spend any available cleanup funds on investigating petroleum hydrocarbon contamination discovered in site groundwater, as petroleum hydrocarbon contamination is not in the jurisdiction of CERCLA cleanups. EPA's letter included two enclosures that provided detailed information on monitoring well sampling results, noting also that the monitoring wells were available for ADEC use.

Former Staff

10/17/1988

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Report submitted: "TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TEAM ON-SCENE COORDINATOR REPORT FOR: Alaska Husky Battery, Anchorage, Alaska, TDD T10-8810-039" dated September 1988. Reports work done in May 1988 by contractor Ecology & Environment's Technical Assistance Team (TAT). The site assessment was done according to Technical Direction Document (TDD) T10-8803-003. The assessment included: surface and subsurface soil sampling facilitating the determination of the extent of soil contamination associated with the AHB site; groundwater sampling to evaluate the possibility of groundwater contamination by AHB process wastes; and a detailed study of the local geology and hydrogeology. During the assessment 4 monitoring wells were installed and several chemical compounds associated with gasoline were detected in groundwater and in the smear zone soil associated with the soil/groundwater interface with the report concluding that there appears to be a strong possibility that contamination migrated onto the site from an off-site, upgradient Leaking Underground Storage Tank site (LUST). EPA referred information regarding the petroleum contamination to the State for action since EPA cannot use CERCLA funds for cleanup of petroleum spills. Soil sample #T8050104 had an estimated level of 22,000 ug/mg benzene detected and sample #T8050105 had 30,000 ug/kg benzene detected. Water sample T8050117 had 19 ug/L benzene and a rerun of same sample showed 22 ug/L.

Former Staff

1/30/1989

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

ADEC received "Technical Assistance Team On-Scene Coordinator Report for Alaska Husky Battery” prepared by Ecology and Environment, Inc. (E&E) for USEPA dated December 1988 and received by ADEC on January 30, 1989. The report summarized site activities including surface and subsurface soil sampling, groundwater sampling of four monitoring wells installed in May 1988 to evaluate the possibility of groundwater contamination by process wastes, and a detailed study of the local geology and hydrogeology. Several chemical compounds associated with gasoline were detected in 4 on-site borings, three of which were completed as monitoring wells, in groundwater and in the smear zone soil associated with the soil/groundwater interface. The report concluded that petroleum contaminants migrated from an off-site upgradient source, namely the Renner’s No. 2 gas station northeast of the site. EPA referred information regarding the petroleum contamination to the State for action since EPA cannot use CERCLA funds for cleanup of petroleum spills. On-site samples impacted by petroleum included soil sample #T8050104 with 22,000 ug/kg benzene detected and sample #T8050105 with 30,000 ug/kg benzene detected . Water sample T8050117 had 19 ug/L benzene. The report states that 1,345 cubic yards of lead/ polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) contaminated soils were excavated, containerized, and shipped out of Alaska for disposal at a permitted hazardous waste disposal facility in Arlington, Oregon. The report notes that site assessments conducted by the E&E TAT in August 1987 also documented the presence of PCBs in on-site (i.e. on-property) soils and in off-site (i.e. off-property) soils during May 1988 assessments. Based on the potential for contamination of the shallow aquifer that flows beneath the site by Alaska Husky Battery process wastes, and the potential adverse health effects associated with the contact, inhalation or ingestion of lead or PCB contaminated soil, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared the site a threat to public health and the environment. Due to lack of appropriate response by the Potentially Responsible Party, on June 16, 1988, the Region X EPA initiated a time-critical removal action. On-site removal activities were performed from July 1 through September 9, 1988, that included daily cost tracking utilizing the Removal Cost Management System (RCMS); the establishment and maintenance of site security; disposal of drummed drill cuttings and well development waters generated during the TAT May 1988 site assessment; and the excavation, containerization, transportation and disposal of approximately 1345 cubic yards of lead-, PCB- and trichlorobenzene-contaminated soils. Upon completion of cleanup verification sampling, the site was backfilled to original grade, and a permanent site security fence was erected. Soil disposal was completed on November 2, 1988. The approximate cost of the AHB removal action was $1,290,160.

Former Staff

2/22/1989

Update or Other Action

ADEC letter to attorney for bankruptcy of Welkers/Alaska Husky Battery. The letter refers to the Husky Battery property located in the Big Lake area, off Hollywood Road, but refers to the Anchorage site when recommending having "the floor drain sewer lines pressure tested" and sampling of "soils, the floor drain tank, the septic tank and the barrels that are reportedly stockpiled near the building for lead levels and appropriate hazardous waste criteria." The letter thanks the attorney for bringing the bankruptcy to ADEC's attention during a telephone call on 2/17/1989. (Note that ADEC's CERCLA Update Memorandum dated March 9, 1987 stated of Husky Battery that "all manufacturing operations are being moved out to a new site in the Mat-Su area; the Anchorage site will be for distribution/marketing only."

Former Staff

3/27/1989

Update or Other Action

ADEC recd copy of bankruptcy completion as Discharge of Joint Debtors for the Welkers in Bankruptcy Case No. A88-01087.

Former Staff

5/23/1990

Site Added to Database

Sulphuric acid, lead, petroleum hydrocarbons, trichlorobenzene, and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Former Staff

11/21/1990

Site Ranked Using the AHRM

Initial ranking.

Former Staff

6/22/1992

Update or Other Action

EPA letter to ADEC dated 6/22/1992 notes that a RCRA generator number used during the Husky Battery cleanup, which was completed in fall 1988, was inadvertently not closed out, but EPA will now do so.

Former Staff

4/6/1994

Update or Other Action

Email by Doreen Sullivan-Garcia to spill response and contaminated sites staff includes the following: "Sewer Damage: Last year, Anchorage Wastewater Utility (AWWU) sent a camera down the sewer and found the bottom of the pipe is gone for about 1200 feet. The damage to the pipe starts at Husky and tapers with distance....AWWU(is) hesitant to dig anything up...The plan is to insert a steam activated epoxy coated sock that will form a 20-yr pipe inside the existing line from the manhole so as not to do any digging". Additionally the writer indicates that the petroleum hydrocarbons detected in the groundwater may be from the nearby Renner's site. Email stems from conversation between Sullivan-Garcia and AWWU Operations Manager Charlie Bryant regarding a sewer main in the vicinity of Husky Battery scheduled for repairs within the next year or two due to cracks.

Former Staff

7/28/1995

Update or Other Action

Staff advised by previous project manager via email of this date that the site is no longer subject to CERCLA regulations and that EPA's cleanup criteria have been met under that program. Contamination will now be regulated under state hazardous substance regulations.

Former Staff

1/16/1996

Update or Other Action

With EPA concurrence, ADEC advised the Municipality of Anchorage that excavation sampling should occur for utility work adjacent to and associated with the site. Conversation record dated 1/12/1996 in file by ADEC staff Ray Dronenburg re conversation with Jerry Dunn AWWU: wastewater line has been excavated and sleeved 200 feet (sewage line is made of concrete). Entire bottom of pipe rotted out. Still one collapsed section near cleanout at rear of Husky Alaska Battery; the job is 95% complete. Depth to excavation 11-17 feet.

Ray Dronenburg

8/4/1999

Site Ranked Using the AHRM

Site reranked by staff.

Eileen Olson

5/10/2000

Update or Other Action

Combined relevant data from Reckey 1988210127202, Mountain View Dr. and Bliss Street-Husky, into this Reckey as it was a duplicate.

Former Staff

11/9/2004

Update or Other Action

File number issued 2100.38.440

Aggie Blandford

3/30/2007

Update or Other Action

Staff reassigned from Sundet to Olson.

Aggie Blandford

5/4/2007

Exposure Tracking Model Ranking

Site ranked with Exposure Tracking Model

Eileen Olson

12/12/2012

Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter

ADEC notification of potentially responsible party (PRP) status and of state cost recovery requirements. The letter also included an information request and provided an explanation regarding the relationship between federal and state ADEC regulations; that is, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed a time critical removal action in 1988 under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). However, the site has been continuously open and subject to State of Alaska contaminated sites regulations since EPA completed work in 1988.

Eileen Olson

1/28/2013

Meeting or Teleconference Held

On January 28, 2013 staff met with RP. RP hand-delivered records regarding his ownership, modifications to property, and land use as requested in the PRP letter.

Eileen Olson

4/27/2023

Update or Other Action

Inquiry from AWWU on this date regarding utility upgrades planned to the property directly to the east across N. Bliss St. (235 N. Bliss St.). The developer plans to convert the property into a dispensary and abandon the existing utilities in place and replace the water and sewer, which would also require access to the alley behind the former Alaska Husky Battery building. DEC informed AWWU that the site is still heavily contaminated with lead, PCBs, and petroleum hydrocarbons. A QEP needs to be hired to write a soil-groundwater management plan and determine whether coordination with EPA is necessary. Coordination with the Drinking Water Program will also be necessary.

Naomi Mason

5/25/2023

Site Visit

ADEC staff conducted site visit on this date. The owner is currently living in the building on the site. Two monitoring wells are still in relatively good condition on the site and could likely be sampled. Owner stores vehicles in first floor garage area and lives in the upstairs small apartment unit of the building, which also appears to be in good condition. Prior to site visit, spoke with management about pursuing state-lead on this site. No work has been completed on the site since the 1980s. Neighbors to the immediate west are connected to a private well in addition to many others in the vicinity.

Naomi Mason

6/20/2023

Site Visit

ADEC visited the site on this date to gauge the monitoring wells to determine if groundwater was present. Two of the three monitoring wells installed in 1986 were successfully gauged and contained groundwater at approximately 28 feet below ground surface. The third monitoring well (W1) could not be accessed, the well cap appears to be rusted to the well.

Naomi Mason

7/24/2023

Site Visit

ADEC Site Visit conducted on this day to collect drinking water samples from Sullivan's Upholstery (4520 Mountain View Drive). Samples were submitted for laboratory analysis of gasoline range organics (GRO), diesel range organics (DRO), residual range organics (RRO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and lead.

Naomi Mason

8/31/2023

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

On August 18, 2023, ADEC received laboratory analytical results for the drinking water samples collected from Sullivan's Upholstery shop which borders the Alaska Husky Battery property to the west. Laboratory analytical results revealed no detections of any of the analytes with the exception of two PAH constituents: benzo[a]pyrene (0.00558 micrograms per liter [µg/L]) and dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (0.00536 µg/L). Both were well below the cleanup level for both constituents (0.25 µg/L). Letter sent on this day to the owners of Alaska Husky Battery and Sullivan's Upholstery. Both parties were also consulted via phone to explain the results.

Naomi Mason

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1988.12 Technical Assistance Team Rpt for Alaska Husky Battery

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Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

Site Report: Alaska Husky Battery, Inc.

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1988.12 Technical Assistance Team Rpt for Alaska Husky Battery

Missing Location Data

State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation