Site Report: Chevron USA Refinery-Nikiski

Site Name:	Chevron USA Refinery-Nikiski
Address:	49055 Kenai Spur Highway, Nikiski, AK 99635
File Number:	2323.38.006
Hazard ID:	313
Status:	Active
Staff:	Peter Campbell, 9072623412 peter.campbell@alaska.gov
Latitude:	60.693611
Longitude:	-151.393611
Horizontal Datum:	NAD83

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

The refinery has had numerous petroleum releases due to past work practices and has contaminated the soils and groundwater below the facility. The petroleum plume (dissolved phase and free product) has migrated to the base of the bluff and onto the beach of Cook Inlet below the facility.

Action Information

Action Date	Action	Description	DEC Staff
12/17/1990	Site Added to Database	Petroleum contaminant.	Former Staff
3/15/1992	Site Characterization Report Approved	(Old R:Base Action Code = SA2R - Phase II SA Review (CS)). Phase II Site Assessment Review	Former Staff
3/31/1992	Update or Other Action	Site updated by Bryson Twidwell.	Bryson Twidwell
11/15/1992	Update or Other Action	(Old R:Base Action Code = SA2 - Phase II Site Assessment (General)). The crude oil leak found at the base of the bluff below the Chevron Refinery in 1987 prompted assessments of the Chevron Refinery to determine the source of the leak and correct it. Since 1987, several small site assessments have determined multiple problems around the refinery. This prompted large scale site assessments in all areas around the facility except the tank farm. The refinery was officially closed in June 1991 and is currently scheduled for dismantling in 1993. After the tank farm is dismantled, the soil beneath will be assessed for contamination. The only part of the refinery that is working is the wastewater treatment plant during the summer. The bluff seepage slows t almost zero flow in the winter. The bluff seepage is captured in a catchment system and pumped up to the wastewater treatment plant at the Chevron Refinery. The oil is separated from the water and the water is discharged as allowed by the NPDES permit. The remaining barrels around the facility have been sampled and tested in October 1992. Groundwater monitoring has been conducted on the monitor wells annually since 1987. Asbestos abatement has been going on since June 1992 and is scheduled to be completed in December 1992. Contamination from the refinery has reached the groundwater below the refinery which is around 80 feet deep. The plume extends from just west of the office area and migratees in a west-south-west direction towards the Cook Inlet. The plume encompasses the light part of the tank farm to the north and then extending to the bluff seepage to the west. A better definition of the plume will be determined after the dismantling of the facility allowing soil borings to be conducted and not be hindered by refinery equipment. Contaminants range full spectrum of products that Chevron made at this refinery, asphalt to light products.	Former Staff
11/27/1992	Site Ranked Using the AHRM	Values for Environmental/Recreation Area and Air Exposure Index changed.	Former Staff
12/22/1992	Site Number Identifier Changed	A second site called Chevron Refinery with Reckey 1987230120601 has been eliminated from the database as per Twidwell's instruction. It was a duplicate of this site.	Former Staff
8/5/1993	Update or Other Action	(Old R:Base Action Code = SA2R - Phase II SA Review (CS)). Phase II site assessment has been completed and the results submitted to the department. The results show not only the unconfined aquifer to be contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons but the semi-confined aquifer is also contaminated. The bluff seepage has been found to be larger than originally thought and Chevron is considering extending the catchment system to capture the petroleum contamination existing further south of the present bluff seepage recovery system. Chevron is going to conduct further soil borings to further define areas of the petroleum plume.	Former Staff
10/21/1993	Update or Other Action	(Old R:Base Action Code = RAU - Remedial Actions Underway (General)).	Former Staff
10/21/1993	Update or Other Action	(Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). RAPR for the stockpiled soils which are to be incinerated at CleanSoils Inc. in Nikiski.	Former Staff
11/12/1993	Update or Other Action	(Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). KDO reviewed Chevron's remediation plan for the disposal of approximately 100 drums of petroleum contaminated soil. The department wrote an approval letter on November 10, 1993. Two of the drums were hazardous waste and were shipped to a hazardous waste disposal site in the lower 48. The rest of the material was consolidated and stored in a lined and covered area on an old tank pad for later disposal.	Former Staff
11/19/1993	Update or Other Action	(Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). Chevron submitted plans to remediate approximately 60 drums or 50 cubic yards of petroleum contaminated soil from drill cuttings from the site assessment and small excavated surface spills around the refinery. The soils were transported to CleanSoils where they will be treated and then returned to the refinery.	Former Staff
2/28/1994	Update or Other Action	(Old R:Base Action Code = SA1R - Phase I SA Review (CS/LUST)). Report was received on 2/22/94. Reviewed monitor well sample results and reviewed the plan for modifying the future monitor well sampling parameters and free floating product capture system for the monitor wells. Wrote approval letter for the modifications and the free floating product capture system for the monitor wells on 2/28/94.	Former Staff
3/31/1994	Update or Other Action	(Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). ADEC reviewed the system to capture free product and dissolved petroleum contamination from the base of the bluff below the Chevron refinery. Notified Chevron via phone to submit more information.	Former Staff
5/10/1994	Update or Other Action	(Old R:Base Action Code = RARR - Remedial Action Report Review (CS)). Various surface spills were excavated and characterized for treatment. The soils were found to be contaminated with DROs. The contaminated soils were remediated at Clean Soils. The department reviewed post treatment sample results for 431 cubic yards of soil that was thermally treated and found the soils to have met the level A cleanup level. The remediated soils were used as road base at the Chevron refinery.	Former Staff
5/16/1994	Update or Other Action	(Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). ADEC reviewed bluff seepage capture system.	Former Staff
5/24/1994	Update or Other Action	(Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). Reviewed remediation request to recycle petroleum contaminated soils that were stored in several hundred drums, in addition to soils still needing to be excavated from an asphalt spill. The soil in the drums has been sampled and were found to contain asphalt pieces and asphalt contaminated soils. The petroleum contaminated soils and pure asphalt, are to be disposed by recycling them into recycled asphalt road bed material with Alaska Sand and gravel in Anchorage.	Former Staff
7/11/1994	Preliminary Assessment Approved	(Old R:Base Action Code = SA1R - Phase I SA Review (CS/LUST)). Reviewed site assessment results of the partially uncovered pipeline for the outfall line.	Former Staff
5/30/1997	Cleanup Plan Approved	ADEC approved a work plan for Chevron to conduct additional assessment activities.	Don Fritz
8/23/1999	Update or Other Action	A work plan for stockpile characterization/segregation was approved. ENSR anticipates that most of the stockpiled soil on pad 1 will be clean.	Don Fritz
4/17/2001	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Site meeting with Beth Johnke and other Chevron staff, Steve King and Dennis Nottingham. Main concern is with erosion at the two ends of the groundwater capture system caused by storms. Dennis Nottingham felt that the placement of large rocks would stabilize the erosion occurring. We went to the Tesoro capture system where this was implemented and their system is holding up well. However, they have a lot more beach between them and the inlet, so most storm events may not reach their capture system.	Don Fritz
5/15/2001	Update or Other Action	Requested additional wells be sampled for future years.	Don Fritz
8/28/2001	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Site meeting with Beth Johnke and other Chevron staff, Steve King and Geomega staff. Geomega presented an overview on additional response actions that Chevron is considering, including excavating to groundwater to capture free product. Concern was expressed regarding the disappearance of gravel from in front of the capture system and the continued erosion at the south end of the capture system due to the failure of the Alaska Petroleum Contractors retaining wall. Chevron is still trying to reach agreement with APC to allow them to place rock along the capture system.	Don Fritz
6/19/2003	Update or Other Action	DEC identified the Point of Compliance for groundwater meeting water quality criteria as being the sea wall/mean high tide line.	Don Fritz
6/23/2003	Update or Other Action	DEC issued letter with issues including: 1. requiring modification of the groundwater recovery system (GWRS) extension to capture contaminated groundwater that is presently not being captured by the GWRS extension; 2. requiring a work plan for periodic monitoring of the groundwater downgradient/adjacent to the GWRS to confirm that the GWRS is adequately performing it’s purpose; 3. requesting additional information pertaining to recent maintenance of the sea wall and the beach replenishment plan; 4. identifying information to be submitted in the tri-annual GWRS reports for operation and maintenance of the GWRS/sea wall; and 5. requesting a written response to the department’s March 26, 2003 letter.	Don Fritz
2/11/2004	Update or Other Action	File number assigned and entered into the Fileroom DB and CS DB.	Alyce Hughey
4/22/2004	Site Characterization Workplan Approved	Approved work plan to incorporate soil cuttings into soil stream for Soil Processing Inc.	Don Fritz
4/29/2004	Update or Other Action	Provided comments to URS submittal regarding OWI excavation closure.	Don Fritz
4/29/2004	Update or Other Action	Site visit regarding conflict for beach use between commercial fishermen and Chevron. Also present were Jim Frechione and Jeff Ginalias (ADNR). Observed Chevron excavating upwards of 100,000 cubic yards of soil in order to slope the bluff. Tens of thousands of cubic yards of silty sand being pushed over the wall onto the tidelands. I questioned Susan regarding whether they had a permit, Susan advised that she thought so, and that she thought it was likely covered under their dredging permit. Later found out that the Corps had visited the site after us and issued a stop order on site activities due to Chevron not having a permit to place the fill into Cook Inlet.	Don Fritz
5/13/2004	Update or Other Action	Spoke with Lisa Gibson (Corps of Engineers) regarding Chevron site. Paul Dworian had advised that they their monitor well installation activities were halted by a Cease and Desist Order from the Corps. Lisa confirmed that they were conducting an investigation of the placement of fill material into Cook Inlet, and that they had issued a cease and desist order to both Chevron and to L&J Enterprises. During our conversation, Lisa told me that Chevron had not received a Corps permit to remove/place the 8,000 yards of fill from last fall. The duration of the order and the ramifications are unknown.	Don Fritz
5/26/2004	Update or Other Action	Spoke with Dave Casey (Corps of Engineers). Dave told me that the Cease and Desist Order was still in effect. The duration is unknown. Chevron and L&J Enterprises have responded to the order with additional information. According to information submitted by Chevron, approximately 140,000 cubic yards of soil were pushed down onto the tidelands. Unknown how much soil remains on top of the GWRS.	Don Fritz
5/26/2004	Update or Other Action	Phone conversation with Paul Dworian (URS). Roughly 30,000 cubic yards of soil remain on top of the GWRS. Chevron could possibly lose the field season waiting for a permit from the Corp. Chevron/URS is considering moving the soils off from the GWRS back onto the base of the hill so that work on the GWRS can continue, and URS plans to confirm that the Corp does not object with this course of action. Well installation, with the exception of the above 4 piezometers, should now be completed, and the pilot test remains on schedule. Approved of proposal to move groundwater monitoring to June.	Don Fritz
6/15/2004	Update or Other Action	Approved plan to discharge approximately 1,000 gallons of purge water to soils on-site in previously used trench.	Don Fritz
6/23/2004	Update or Other Action	Phone call with Lisa Gibson (Corps of Engineers. Lisa called to advise that their involvement with the Chevron soil placement into Cook Inlet will be transferred to EPA.	Don Fritz
6/25/2004	Update or Other Action	Contaminated sites staff responded to an e-mail request from Bob Shavelson (Cook Inlet Keepers for additional information regarding the Chevron site. Bob was informed that “The former Chevron Refinery site is being overseen by the Contaminated Sites Program. The site is listed on our database under Chevron Refinery Bluff Seepage. The site is not a “RCRA clean-up”. We are aware of the seepage at the toe of the bluff below the former Chevron Refinery site. The site came to our attention in 1987 due to free product seeping from the toe of the bluff. The Chevron site has in excess of 1 million cubic yards of petroleum contaminated soil at the former refinery location, and has a free product/dissolved phase plume that extends from the former refinery location to the shores of Cook Inlet. Chevron presently has a groundwater recovery system in place that is intercepting most of the free product/dissolved phase plume, but which has never intercepted all of the dissolved phase plume migrating to Cook Inlet. Chevron is at this time evaluating different interception/treatment technologies to reduce the migration of contamination into Cook Inlet. DEC staff have observed sheens on the surface water migrating out from the Chevron Seawall in front of the groundwater recovery system in 2003. We have also been notified by commercial fishermen that sheening in front of the seawall was often visible during the 2003 fishing season. Chevron placed roughly 8,000 cubic yards of sandy gravel in front of the seawall last fall, in an effort to replenish gravel removed by erosion. This in effect makes the seeps no longer visible.”	Don Fritz
7/8/2004	Update or Other Action	Contaminated sites staff visited the Chevron Refinery site to view a stockpile of material that Chevron requested to ship to a thermal remediation unit in Fairbanks (OIT). Staff became concerned with the proposal when we were told by Chevron’s consultant that the material was not really soil, but rather black liquid asphalt material with liner mixed in. The 40 cubic yards of stockpiled material is material that Soil Processing Inc. segregated from the waste stream that they thermally treated on site. The material appeared to be more of a solid waste then a soil, thus it may not be an acceptable material for OIT to attempt to remediate.	Don Fritz
7/23/2004	Update or Other Action	Contaminated sites staff approved a work plan for the transport of approximately 5 cubic yards of petroleum contaminated soil from Arctic Slope Regional Corporation property to Alaska Soil Recycling in Anchorage. The soil was generated during the removal of a buried pipeline that crossed the property from the former Chevron refinery to the former Colliers dock. Chevron will be providing a report that depicts remaining contamination from the recently discovered release.	Don Fritz
7/23/2004	Update or Other Action	Contaminated Sites staff denied a request to transport approximately 40 cubic yards of petroleum contaminated material from the former Chevron Refinery site to the OIT Remediation Facility in Fairbanks. Staff were informed by Chevron's consultant that the material was not really soil but rather black liquid asphalt with pieces of liner and other debris mixed in. Last year Chevron excavated the top portion of the Oily Waste Impoundment area and Soil Processing Inc. was on site to remediate the soil. The 40 cubic yards of material is material that Soil Processing Inc. segregated out of the soil stream as not being suitable for processing through their thermal remediation unit. The department was informed that ASR was approached about remediating this material, and they had also declined to accept the material for processing through their equipment.	Don Fritz
7/30/2004	Update or Other Action	Contaminated sites staff approved a request to dispose of approximately 1,800 gallons of purge/well development water generated at the Chevron Refinery site. Staff visited the site and observed the planned location of the discharge.	Don Fritz
8/9/2004	Update or Other Action	Spoke with Susan Alverez. She advised that Chevron is hauling the soils back up the hill from the GWRS via front-end loaders. The estimated time to move the soils is 3 to 5 weeks. They are using an excavator to lift the soils that remain on the beach back up onto the GWRS. The soils are presently being stockpiled at the former Rigtenders Heliport.	Don Fritz
9/10/2004	Proposed Plan	Approved plan to excavate cell 10 of the groundwater recovery system and fix existing problems with the french drain. Approval was granted to replace the soils of the french drain, even though they will likely be contaminated due to the migration of free phase/dissolved phase contamination to and through these soils.	Don Fritz
9/22/2004	Update or Other Action	Contaminated sites staff approved a request to dispose of approximately 2,720 gallons of purge/well development water generated at the Chevron Refinery site. Chris Holden confirmed, via phone call, that there is no sheen on the water.	Don Fritz
10/29/2004	Update or Other Action	Contaminated sites staff approved a request to dispose of approximately 2,800 gallons of purge/well development water generated at the Chevron Refinery site. Staff previously visited the site and observed the planned location of the discharge. No sheen is visible on the water	Don Fritz
12/2/2004	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Meeting with Chevron, contaminated sites staff and wastewater staff to discuss ongoing site activities, and future activities. Afternoon meeting included EPA, CIRCAC, and USCG and was a presentation by Chevron of background conditions.	Don Fritz
12/30/2004	Update or Other Action	Contaminated sites staff approved a request to dispose of approximately 300 gallons of purge water generated at the Chevron Refinery site. Chris Holden provided an e-mail that they desired to dispose of after filtering so that they would not have to store in freezing consitions.	Don Fritz
4/21/2005	Site Characterization Workplan Approved	Reviewed the April 11th URS work Plan for undertaking a bioventing pilot study. Chevron informedthat it is our expectation that vapor extraction/ air sparging would prove of much greater benefit. Chevron was informed that "While we appreciate Chevron's desire to evaluate bioventing, the Department believes that due to the substantial quantity of soils contaminated with volatile constituents, vapor extraction would be of greater benefit due to the removal of vapors in addition to increasing oxygen levels to facilitate bioremediation. The department would appreciate a work plan developed by Chevron to evaluate the effectiveness of vapor extraction/bioventing in conjunction with or subsequent to the proposed work plan.	Don Fritz
5/20/2005	Update or Other Action	Cost recovery memo sent to Kay Rawlings (AG's office)	Don Fritz
6/1/2005	Update or Other Action	Contaminated sites staff approved a request to dispose of approximately 2,000 gallons of purge/well development water generated at the Chevron Refinery site into the formerly approved disposal area.	Don Fritz
8/9/2005	Cleanup Plan Approved	Plan to transport approximately 30 tons of tar/asphaltic material to the Columbia Ridge Landfill in Oregon was approved.	Don Fritz
8/12/2005	GIS Position Updated	Using Site Map in file in conjunction with TopoZone Pro and the KPB Parcel Lookup, entered the coordinates for this site. Metadata includes No Topo Basemap, TopoZone Pro Street Map, Black and White Aerial Photo, on a Medium Size Map, View Scale 1:25,000, Coordinate Datum NAD83. High degree of confidence in accuracy of location.	Alyce Hughey
9/14/2005	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Chevron met with Jim Frechione and Linda Nuechterlein in Anchorage, Soldotna staff listened in via phone. The purpose of the meeting was to provide Jim an update on the 2005 field season and the results of their treatment actions (chemical oxidation and permeable wall barrier)	Don Fritz
11/9/2005	Update or Other Action	Karl Hoenke (Chevron) sent a letter to Jim Frechione stating "This is to follow-up on my telephone call to you of October 25, 2005, and to formally advise you and your agency that a major storm event on October 18, 2005 damaged construction work and equipment related to the PRB pilot test project at the above-referenced site. In addition to equipment damage, and erosion, a small diesel spill also occurred. See Spill Report, No. 05239929101. After assessing the damage it has become clear that it is too risky to try to repair the damage and complete construction safely and without further incidents prior to the end of the Alaska construction season. Thus, the damage will preclude Chevron from completing construction on the PRB pilot test project at the north end of the GWRS until at least the spring of 2006. Consequently, Chevron will not be in a position to provide you with a final feasibility study and proposed long-term remedy on January 26, 2006, as previously planned. Given these unanticipated events, we believe the January 26, 2006 meeting should be canceled. Of course, Chevron is committed to continued progress at this site despite this setback, and we will keep you informed of our activities and progress. I would also like to schedule a less formal meeting with you at the beginning of the year to update you on Chevron's activities and plans".	Don Fritz
1/12/2006	Meeting or Teleconference Held	A meeting was held with Cheveron (Karl Hoenke); Geomega (Andy Davis and Penny) and URS (Paul Dworian). DEC staff included: Jim Frechione; Linda Nuechterlein; Sharmon Stambaugh and Alan Kukla URS provided a brief summary on the chem ox system and the proposed PRB. The chem ox has operated since September 2005 and the sample results are varied and inconclusive. The system needs to be operated and sampled over time to determine its effectiveness. The installation of the passive reactive barrier (PRB) wall was delayed until spring 2006 based on weather and storm issues. There was a pilot bioventing study conducted using the former chem ox pilot area on top of the bluff. Air sparging was also tested. The preliminary results indicated air sparging was more effective in reducing benzene and GRO. Chevron then discussed the possible use of averaging groundwater sample results from the sentinel wells below the treatment areas in order to determine compliance results. ADEC indicated that the proposal will have to be reviewed by the Division of Water and CSP for compliance with regulations.	Don Fritz
2/8/2006	Update or Other Action	Air sparge/VES pilot test interim report reviewed. The initial results of the test depict that air sparging and soil vapor extraction are viable remediation methods for long term treatment of the dissolved phase constituents and of soil within the smear zone.	Don Fritz
4/4/2006	Cleanup Plan Approved	Approve plan to transport approximately 550 tons of petroleum contaminated soil from the Chevron facility to ASR in Anchorage.	Don Fritz
4/5/2006	Cleanup Plan Approved	Reviewed an air sparge/soil vapor extraction pilot test work plan for the Chevron Refinery site. Based on the success of a prior air sparge/soil vapor extraction effort, Chevron is expanding their efforts this field season by adding additional systems to further evaluate the effectiveness of air sparging/soil vapor extraction in reducing contaminant levels.	Don Fritz
4/21/2006	Update or Other Action	Reviewed the 2005 URS Peroxone/ozone demonstration test interim report covering ozone/peroxide activities between May 2005 and December 2005. Report depicts that significant reduction in benzene concentrationsreductions in GRO concentrations, and oxygenation of DRO concentrations should allow for biological degredation.	Don Fritz
5/12/2006	Update or Other Action	Staff provided management with numerous comments on Chevron's "white paper" regarding points of compliance and compliance monitoring.	Don Fritz
8/15/2006	Meeting or Teleconference Held	ADEC (Frechione & Nuechterlein) met with Chevron and consultant (URS) to discuss the 2006 cleanup activities at the site. The chem-ox injection has operated for a year with positive results (80% of downgradient monitor points reportedly met cleanup levels). The PRB wall on the north end of the sea wall is nearing completion and should be operational this fall.	Jim Frechione
9/19/2006	Meeting or Teleconference Held	ADEC (Frechione & Nuechterlein) met with Chevron and their consultants (Geomega and URS) to discuss the 2006 composite sampling event. Chevron had sampled one of the GW piezometers (MLP 25 U) and the beach seeps and analyzed the results using discrete and composite analysis. The results were discussed and plans to expand this sample methodology was discussed. The initial results from the composite sampling was positive and was proposed for other sample wells in several weeks.	Jim Frechione
3/22/2007	Exposure Tracking Model Ranking	Initial Site Ranking using the ETM	Don Fritz
6/29/2009	Cleanup Plan Approved	The "Former Chevron Refinery Corrective Action Plan" submitted for the Chevron USA Refinery site in Nikiski, Alaska by URS Corporation was approved. Chevron’s Corrective Action Plan has identified monitored natural attenuation as the remedial option for addressing the remaining contamination at the facility. In addition, the Corrective Action Plan identifies a phased decommissioning of the existing Chevron Seawall and Groundwater Recovery System. The groundwater recovery system will be replaced with a groundwater extraction/reinjection system intended to prevent contamination migrating off site from the North Plume, and a chemical oxidation treatment system will continue to treat the groundwater that migrates to Cook Inlet in the South Plume. A slurry wall will be installed to act as a hydrogeologic barrier near the toe of the bluff, and a rock revetment will be installed at the toe of the bluff to prevent further erosion and to protect the remediation systems. Chevron has further identified the intent to excavate the smear zone impacted soils in close proximity to Cook Inlet, to the maximum extent practicable. Further detail regarding aspects of the overall corrective action plan (engineered plans and an operations plan for the groundwater extraction and injection system, engineered plans for the slurry wall, a work plan for the excavation and disposal of the impacted soils, a work plan for monitored natural attenuation, etc.) will be provided so that ADEC can evaluate the specifics of the proposed work activities, and approve the plans prior to implementation. Because the current groundwater recovery system will remain intact for several months after installation of the groundwater extraction and injection systems, Chevron will be able to monitor and modify the operation of the extraction and injection systems in order to capture the North Plume. Therefore, we anticipate that the operations plan for these activities will evolve to some extent over the upcoming months, based on the modifications that are made following system start-up and monitoring. Chevron was requested to update its operations plan with ADEC after system operations have been finalized.	Don Fritz
9/18/2009	Site Characterization Workplan Approved	Staff approved Chevron’s plan to utilize an ultra violet optical screening tool for conducting additional smear zone delineation at the former Chevron USA Refinery.	Don Fritz
10/13/2009	Update or Other Action	Phone call with John Drabek (EPA) regarding NPDES outfall. John was of the belief that Chevron was not going to need their NPDES permit after this summer, I explained that they were working toward doing away with it, but that they needed it until next year when the slurry wall was installed. Follow-up phone call with Eugene Pak, who provided me with a letter that he sent to John.	Don Fritz
11/12/2009	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Met with Eugene, Keith, and Cassady regarding site activites that occurred over the past year and next years CAP implementation.	Don Fritz
11/16/2009	Site Characterization Report Approved	Review Chevron 2008 Groundwater Monitoring report	Don Fritz
4/20/2010	Site Characterization Report Approved	Review annual site status report prepared by Trihydro	Don Fritz
5/26/2010	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Met with staff from Chevron and their environmental contractor. Staff discussed Chevron’s 2010 implementation plan, and toured the site to observe ongoing activities including the excavation of clean overburden, petroleum impacted soils (approximately 6,000 cubic yards to date), and the removal of the permeable reactive barrier. Staff noted what appeared to be iron stained gravels on the beach in vicinity of the seeps that are being treated upstream by chemical oxidation.	Don Fritz
5/26/2010	Site Visit	Contaminated Sites staff visited the Chevron USA Refinery-Nikiski site to meet with staff from Chevron and their environmental contractor. Staff discussed Chevron’s 2010 implementation plan, and toured the site to observe ongoing activities including the excavation of clean overburden, petroleum impacted soils (approximately 6,000 cubic yards to date), and the removal of the permeable reactive barrier. Staff noted what appeared to be iron stained gravels on the beach in vicinity of the seeps that are being treated upstream by chemical oxidation. Topics of discussion included mix design criteria for the slurry wall, ongoing groundwater monitoring, modifications to the extraction/injection well system, and other aspects of the 2010 implementation plan.	Don Fritz
6/16/2010	Site Visit	Contaminated Sites staff visited the former Chevron Refinery site to observe ongoing project activities. Chevron intended to be installing a slurry wall to stop the migration of impacted groundwater to Cook Inlet, but the equipment experienced electrical problems. Chevron provided an overview of past and intended activites for Linda Nuecterlein's benefit.	Don Fritz
6/22/2010	Cleanup Plan Approved	Chevron’s 2010 work plan was conditionally approved. The condition was "The proposal to allow the water that accumulates on top of the slurry wall to infiltrate into a trench dug to the east of the slurry wall each day is acceptable provided that significant quantities of suspended solids do not plug off the soils and prevent infiltration of the water. Provided that the water is able to infiltrate the soils, the trench should remain open until the free standing water disappears, at which time the trench can then be backfilled. If the water that accumulates on top of the slurry wall is unable to infiltrate into the surrounding soils, Chevron will need to containerize the water and identify an alternate means of disposal."	Don Fritz
6/22/2010	Site Visit	Contaminated Sites staff visited the former Chevron Refinery site to observe ongoing project activities. Chevron is currently installing a slurry wall to stop the migration of impacted groundwater to Cook Inlet. Once the slurry wall is complete, Chevron will begin constructing a rock revetment to replace the existing seawall, and the existing groundwater recovery system will be removed.	Don Fritz
8/11/2010	Site Visit	Site visit to meet with Eugene Pak and Cassady and view installation activities associated with the construction of the rock revetment.	Don Fritz
8/18/2010	Site Characterization Workplan Approved	Issue a letter approving groundwater monitoring work plan for the Chevron Refinery site.	Don Fritz
8/20/2010	Site Visit	Went to the beach to look at the progress of the slurry wall.	Paul Horwath
9/8/2010	Site Visit	Site visit to meet with Cassady (Trihydro) to discuss comments on their submitted wastewater plans and to tour the site. Visited the slurry wall stockpile area.	Don Fritz
9/16/2010	Update or Other Action	E-mail approval of proposal to remove of the top liner for the slurry stockpile. Decided to postpone a decision on further sampling until receive report on summer’s activities.	Don Fritz
9/21/2010	Site Visit	Contaminated Sites staff conducted a site visit to the former Chevron Refinery facility near Nikiski, Alaska. Staff met with the Chevron’s project manager and Chevron’s consultant to discuss remedial actions that have occurred over the summer and planned remedial actions for next year. Staff toured the site to observe modifications to the groundwater recovery system, the construction progress of the rock revetment wall that is replacing the sheet pile wall at the base of the Cook Inlet Bluff, and the slurry stockpile which contained the excess slurry that was generated during the installation of the groundwater cut-off slurry wall. Also present from ADEC were PaulHorwath and Linda Nuechterlein	Don Fritz
9/21/2010	Site Visit	Inspect slurry wall construction and status of site remediation efforts with Don Fritz and Linda Nuechterlein.	Paul Horwath
10/5/2010	Cleanup Plan Approved	Contaminated sites staff approved a September 1, 2010Dewatering System Enhancements and Long Term Iron Control Plan. Included with this submittal were engineered plans prepared by Trihydro Corporation. The plans provided for installing two additional extraction wells and two additional monitoring wells, introducing Redux 340 into the groundwater extraction system in an effort to address iron fouling issues, and removing the surge tank from the dewatering system. Trihydro and ADEC staff met to discuss the plans on September 8, 2010. Cassady Marshall (Trihydro) informed us that no free product had been captured by the day tank as of September 8th. Verbal approval was provided to remove the surge tank from the dewatering system on September 8th. Chevron, Trihydro, and ADEC staff met at the site on September 21st and discussed additional modifications with the plan. Verbal approval was provided for suggested modifications to the plan that addressed the southernmost monitoring well and an additional proposed monitoring well. Cassady Marshall (Trihydro) provided minor modifications and clarification for the dewatering system enhancement plans on September 28th. The department has reviewed the submitted information collectively, and these plans are approved.	Don Fritz
10/6/2010	Site Visit	Contaminated Sites staff conducted a site visit to the Chevron Refinery facility near Nikiski, Alaska. Staff toured the site to observe modifications to the groundwater recovery system, the construction progress of the rock revetment wall that is replacing the sheet pile wall.	Don Fritz
10/22/2010	Site Visit	Contaminated Sites staff conducted a site visit to the Chevron Refinery facility near Nikiski, Alaska. Staff toured the site to observe the installation of the piping for the groundwater recovery system, and the final extent of the rock revetment for this calendar year.	Don Fritz
10/25/2010	Site Characterization Workplan Approved	Contaminated sites staff approved an October 6, 2010 Underground Injection Control Well Rehabilitation Plan. This work plan depicts that the injection wells are experiencing decreased injection rates due to deposition fouling, Chevron previously addressed this fouling, utilizing the same chemicals and methods proposed in the current work plan. Chevron believes that the rehabilitation of the injection wells will need to occur on a periodic basis. Chevron was requested to notify the department and EPA a minimum of 10 work days prior to future efforts to rehabilitate the wells, provided that the same chemicals and methods are utilized. If the chemicals or methods utilized to rehabilitate the wells are modified from what is identified in the work plan that is the subject of this approval, Chevron will need to submit a modified work plan and receive department approval of the work plan before undertaking well rehabilitation efforts.	Don Fritz
10/25/2010	Site Characterization Workplan Approved	Contaminated sites staff approved an October 6, 2010 Underground Injection Control Well Rehabilitation Plan. This work plan depicts that the injection wells are experiencing decreased injection rates due to deposition fouling, Chevron previously addressed this fouling, utilizing the same chemicals and methods proposed in the current work plan. Chevron believes that the rehabilitation of the injection wells will need to occur on a periodic basis. Chevron was requested to notify the department and EPA a minimum of 10 work days prior to future efforts to rehabilitate the wells, provided that the same chemicals and methods are utilized. If the chemicals or methods utilized to rehabilitate the wells are modified from what is identified in the work plan that is the subject of this approval, Chevron will need to submit a modified work plan and receive department approval of the work plan before undertaking well rehabilitation efforts.	Don Fritz
1/13/2011	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Reviewed the Former Chevron Kenai Refinery Annual Site Status Report, dated December 2010, from Trihydro Corporation for Don Fritz. Phase 2 of the approved Former Chevron Refinery Corrective Action Plan was implemented in 2010. The work performed included the north groundwater recovery system vault was re-routed, and the pumping from the north plume continued via the dewatering and reinjection system that was installed in 2009. Excavation of approximately 30,000 cubic yards of clean overburden and 8,700 cubic yards of impacted material were removed from the northern bluff area and stockpiled in two separate stockpiles on site. A slurry wall was installed in the northern bluff area. The groundwater recovery system seawall Cells 1 through 9, were removed and a rock revetment was constructed to replace Cells 1 through 9. Three mid bluff groundwater monitoring wells CMW-112 through CMW-114 and two dewatering wells DW-2 and DW-3 were installed. Redux 340 was added to the dewatering system to decrease the iron fouling to reduce the operation systems maintenance. The south-plume chem-ox injection system continued to operate by injecting air and ozone, with an operation rate of 90% of the time. A groundwater monitoring event was performed in August of 2010 with 36 monitoring wells being sampled, with 10 of these wells being analyzed for natural attenuation parameters, and beach seep samples were taken in May, July, and October of 2010.	Alyce Hughey
3/31/2011	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Teleconference with Chevron and Trihydro staff to discuss current site status regarding groundwater recovery efforts above the slurry wall and plans for the 2011 field season.	Don Fritz
12/27/2011	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	2011 Annual Site Status Report submitted by Trihydro. Samples collected from 35 monitoring wells. A groundwater mound was observed near the bluff. there appears to be a trend of natural attenuation of the contaminants in the groundwater in many of the monitoring wells. Petroleum impacted soils were excavated from the bluff area and significantly impacted soils were placed in a stockpile for land farm treatment. The dewatering system has been in operation pumping approximately 10,000 to 20,000 gallons per day.	Peter Campbell
12/20/2012	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Reviewed the Former Chevron Kenai Refinery Annual Site Status Report, dated December 2012, from Trihydro Corporation. The work performed included groundwater and beach sampling. The groundwater recovery system was replaced between 2009 and 2012. Two beach seep sample exceedances were noted. The dewatering system was in operation and water is reinjected at the head of the plume. Redux 340 was added to the dewatering system to decrease the iron fouling to reduce the operation systems maintenance.	Peter Campbell
9/23/2014	Site Visit	Site visit with Chevron, project consultant and DEC staff to review the past years activities and discuss options for future work. 1: Future compliance sampling points, beach seeps or monitoring wells. 2: Fate of land farm soils and sample methods.	Peter Campbell
3/23/2015	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Chevron has been granted approval to shut down the beach air sparge system to determine if further air sparging within the southern plume will be required. Beginning in April 2015, monthly sampling will be required in bluff wells. Results of monthly monitoring will be used to determine future sampling frequency.	Peter Campbell
10/6/2015	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	The air-sparge system at the beach has been shut down. On October 1, 2015 Tri-hydro submitted beach seep water sampling results for four locations. The results (<3.0 ug/L) for total BTEX (TAH) and TAQH were below ADEC cleanup levels for April and August.	Peter Campbell
12/16/2015	Update or Other Action	On December 16, 2015 Tri-hydro submitted beach seep water sampling results for four locations. The results (<3.0 ug/L) for total BTEX (TAH) and TAQH were below ADEC cleanup levels for April and August and October. The next beach seep sampling event will be in April 2016.	Peter Campbell
4/13/2016	Site Visit	Site visit with Chevron, project consultant and DEC staff to review the past years activities and discuss options for future work: Future compliance sampling points, beach seeps or monitoring wells and implications of contamination moving off of the property to the south in relation to future site closure. The beach seeps are an interim compliance point that is not acceptable under the States Surface Water Quality Standards. For site closure, water quality will have to be in compliance inland of the mean higher high tide line.	Peter Campbell
7/1/2016	Update or Other Action	Contaminated sites program notified the Underground Injection Control Well Rehabilitation will take place this summer. The injection wells are experiencing decreased injection rates due to deposition fouling. Chevron previously addressed this fouling in 2010, utilizing the same chemicals and methods. Chevron believes that the rehabilitation of the injection wells will need to occur on a periodic basis. Chevron was requested to notify the department and EPA a minimum of 10 work days prior to future efforts to rehabilitate the wells, provided that the same chemicals and methods are utilized. If the chemicals or methods utilized to rehabilitate the wells are modified from what was previously used and approved, Chevron will need to submit a modified work plan and receive department approval of the work plan before undertaking well rehabilitation efforts.	Peter Campbell
4/21/2017	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Review of the 2016 Site Status Report with several comments and a request to Chevron for additional information. Requirement for a new work plan for no-purge sampling. Requiring a work plan for expanding plumes at the northern and southern side of the property to delineate contamination that may be moving off site. We have included as an attachment to our letter, ADEC's Technical Memorandum for the Regulatory Approach to Managing Contamination in Hydrologically Connected Groundwater and Surface Water. The work plan is due by June 15, 2017.	Peter Campbell
6/13/2017	Site Visit	Meeting to discuss the 2016 site monitoring report and Chevrons response to ADECs request for additional information. Several issues were addressed. The northern pumping recovery system is becoming fouled by iron. Maintenance is required and will be addressed. Additional assessment is required on the beach to determine if impacts are present at the mean high tide line. A work plan will be submitted for additional monitoring wells. We discussed evaluating the site for PFOS and sulfoline.	Peter Campbell
8/1/2017	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Approve Purge/No Purge Work Plan to determine the data quality from no purge sampling in perimeter monitoring wells. This will be a duplicate sample effort for the August sampling.	Peter Campbell
8/28/2017	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Review Beach Well Installation Work Plan that called for the installation of three monitoring wells near the high water tide line. ADEC approved the work plan for drilling in the spring of 2018 but required the installation of three additional beach wells.	Peter Campbell
8/1/2018	Workplan Requested	Preliminary results from the three new beach wells and beech seep sampling indicate that hydrocarbons are impacting Cook Inlet. Chevrons response is to re-start the air sparge system. Review of the 2017 Annual Site Status Report requires a work plan to delineate the southern extent of the Chevron plume extending onto ASRC property and into Cook Inlet. Also requires that the work plan address sampling for PFAS compounds in monitoring wells surrounding the fire training area.	Peter Campbell
8/2/2018	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Review the 2017 Annual Site Status Report. ADEC had required comparison testing of no purge sampling to determine if the data was representative of traditional sampling methods. Duplicate samples were collected from representative wells, and for all but one well, results were comparable. No purge sampling can continue. It appears, based on the data presented that benzene is discharging to the beach from the southern end of the benzene plume. Beach drilling has confirmed this. The northern benzene plume has not been detected in the beach environment. ADEC is requiring a work plan provide for a monitoring well network that can delineate the boundary of the southern benzene plume and demonstrate that the plume is not discharging into the Inlet outside of the air sparge system treatment boundary and delineates the southern edge on ASRC property. ADEC is requiring Chevron to sample representative wells for PFAS compounds in groundwater down gradient from the historical fire fighting training area. The DRO and GRO plums have degraded and are contained without discharging to the Inlet.	Peter Campbell
9/5/2018	Update or Other Action	Chevron reported that beach seeps South-2 and South-3 and temporary beach well TBW-3 had elevated TAH levels. This in combination with elevated levels in MLP-27 wells indicated that hydrocarbons are reaching the beach environment. Chevron will be restarting the southern air sparge system.	Peter Campbell
9/24/2018	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Review and Conditionally Approve the 2018 Southern Plume Well Installation and PFAS Sampling Work Plan dated 9/17/18. The workplan was approved with the conditions that CMW-28 was added to the wells that will be sampled for PFAS compounds and that the ITRC Sampling Precautions were followed. the workplan also included a new monitoring well on ASRC property to help delineate the southern extent of a plume that is moving onto the beach.	Peter Campbell
3/7/2019	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Meeting with Chevron and consultants to discuss the 2018 sampling report, southern plume, beach dynamics and additional sample and monitoring requirements.	Peter Campbell
3/11/2019	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Review the 2018 Annual Site Status Report and send report comments to Chevron. Request work plan to verify that air sparge system is treating groundwater concentrations at depth on at the beach. Require the addition of SVOC and PAH analysis to indicator well source areas and wells that are representative of off site discharge.	Peter Campbell
8/28/2019	Update or Other Action	Chevron agrees to prepare a work plan for the sampling of PFAS compounds from monitoring wells near the former fire training grounds.	Peter Campbell
10/1/2019	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Review the Response to ADEC Review Comments & Work Plan Requirements on the 2018 Annual Site Status. Chevron will use MPL-27-D2 and MPL-27-D3 to monitor beach impacts. The loss of MPL-27-D4 in 2016 may not be significant, as historically MPL-27-D3 has been reacting similarly to benzene contamination and air sparge treatment. Source area monitoring for PAH contaminates will be added to track long term historical trends.	Peter Campbell
5/12/2020	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Review the 2019 Annual Site Status Report and issued a letter addressing beach monitoring wells and a request for a cross section demonstrating groundwater flow dynamics.	Peter Campbell
9/30/2020	Workplan Requested	Respond to Chevrons 2019 report comments. Chevron provided a cross section that shows the beach area sea wall, illustrating the flow dynamics under the rock revetment. It appears that the current temporary beach monitoring wells are not positioned to detect beach impacts the way that the lost well MPL-27-D4 did. Request a work plan from Chevron for an angled monitoring well under the sea wall. It appears that contamination for the southern property, Marathons Kenai Pipe Line Company may be comingling with Chevrons plume. We have requested that Chevron provide laboratory data that will allow the consultant to determine the source of impacts to MW-71.	Peter Campbell
3/11/2021	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Review the 2020 Annual Report. Following well rehabilitation efforts and equipment replacements, the dewatering and injection system in 2020 meets the objective of capturing impacted groundwater at the bluff and returns it to the head of the plume. In 2020, dewatering wells DW-2 and DW-3 were rehabilitated in an attempt to improve system performance. Following rehabilitation, dewatering wells operate efficiently. Groundwater quality at the ends of the slurry wall and system performance will continue to be monitored to assess overall effectiveness of the dewatering and injection system. The air sparge system at the southern edge of the benzene plume appears to be treating benzene before it impacts the beach.	Peter Campbell
5/20/2021	Update or Other Action	Letter sent to Chevron reiterating the requirement for PFAS Sampling in wells near the former fire training area.	Peter Campbell
6/1/2021	Update or Other Action	Chevron plans to update work plan for PFAS sampling and sample this field season.	Peter Campbell
7/29/2021	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Review and approve the 2021 PFAS Fire Training Area Sampling Work Plan.	Peter Campbell
12/21/2021	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Review PFAS Sampling Results Summary Report (11/4/21) PFAS found in monitoring wells around the former fire training area at one tenth of the groundwater cleanup level.	Peter Campbell
4/13/2022	Workplan Requested	ADEC will require the assessment of shallow soils in the former fire training area. The assessment should include an evaluation of the use of the fire training area, any previous remediation work that may have been conducted in the area, and an evaluation of the soil sufficient to determine if environmental risks might be associated with the site.	Peter Campbell
8/18/2022	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Review 2021 Groundwater Monitoring Report. Monitoring well CMW-112 has an increasing trend in benzene and may be outside the influence of pumping wells. CMW-112 is a well of concern that may allow impacts to migrate to the bluff. CMW-61 (near bluff) has an increasing trend in benzene concentrations.	Peter Campbell
1/30/2023	Long Term Monitoring Workplan or Report Review	Review 2022 Annual Site Status Report. CMW-111 has increasing product thickness. CMWPT-2 has had over one foot of product, now is just below 1 foot. CMW-61 GRO has no downward trend except in 2013 and 2014. Benzene is down this year. CMW-112 Benzene and TAH lower in April and October 22. There were higher groundwater elevation trends in 2022, affecting some groundwater concentrations. While an increasing trend is present at CMW-112, it is common for there to be variability in trends at some locations within a plume that is overall degrading and retracting with time. Overall, the long-term trends and 2022 data suggest that concentrations of dissolved benzene are decreasing through natural attenuation. The groundwater monitoring program will continue to further evaluate groundwater quality and assess the trends. CMW-40 on Hilcorp property was destroyed. Will be replaced. Not a high priority for replacement. Non detect since 2016, below cleanup levels for TAQH. TBW-4 was buried by tide deposited material. Beach seep samples were below cleanup levels. Pumping rate of 15837 gpd which is middle of the road for historical averages. Injection wells are experiencing fouling. CMW-112 had one sampling event that was above cleanup levels. I think that a well should be installed at an angle to the north of 112 to monitor the plume that is beyond capture.	Peter Campbell
3/15/2024	Long Term Monitoring Workplan or Report Review	Review Chevron Refinery 2023 Report. Benzene concentrations in the upgradient and central portions of the plume remained consistent overall, with benzene in some wells slightly increasing in 2023 compared with 2022. The DRO extent in 2023, displays a concentration decrease from 2022. The decrease in concentrations may be the result of fluctuations in groundwater elevations, in combination with natural attenuation. DRO concentrations in wells CMW-64 (1,500 J- µg/L) and CMW-16 (2,000 µg/L) displayed decreasing concentrations compared to 2023 concentrations. Overall, DRO concentrations continue to display decreasing trends. This suggests attenuation at the upgradient edge of the plume. GRO concentrations in the upgradient and central portions of the plume remained overall consistent and greater than the cleanup level. There is a clear decreasing trend in benzene concentrations that have been consistently less than the cleanup level of 4.6 µg/L. These wells represent all portions of the dissolved phase plume, including the interior and the distal edges. This suggests natural attenuation is occurring over a broad footprint. The dewatering and injection system was installed in 2009. Combined production rates from the three dewatering wells (DW-1, DW-2, and DW-3) averaged 19,565 gallons per day (gpd) during 2023 and ranged from 14,688 to 21,312 gpd. This rate is overall consistent with historical averages (10,000 to 25,000 gpd). The dewatering system is adequately controlling water levels behind the slurry wall. Groundwater levels within wells CMW-112, CMW-113, CMW-114, and DW-2 remained below the slurry wall level during 2023.	Peter Campbell
3/20/2024	Workplan Requested	Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Sampling Results Summary Letter – Requirement for Work Plan. A work plan was requested on 4/13/22 and no response was received from Chevron. Chevron has been notified that we will require a written response by March 20, 2024, acknowledging their intentions for this work. The next step will be a notice of violation.	Peter Campbell
3/26/2024	Update or Other Action	Response from James Kiernan via email. Chevron has obtained and reviewed the files for references to PFAS, which are extensive. Chevron proposes to present findings in an e-mail or memo format. Still requiring a work plan for PFAS investigation.	Peter Campbell

Action Date

Action

Description

DEC Staff

12/17/1990

Site Added to Database

Petroleum contaminant.

Former Staff

3/15/1992

Site Characterization Report Approved

(Old R:Base Action Code = SA2R - Phase II SA Review (CS)). Phase II Site Assessment Review

Former Staff

3/31/1992

Update or Other Action

Site updated by Bryson Twidwell.

Bryson Twidwell

11/15/1992

Update or Other Action

(Old R:Base Action Code = SA2 - Phase II Site Assessment (General)). The crude oil leak found at the base of the bluff below the Chevron Refinery in 1987 prompted assessments of the Chevron Refinery to determine the source of the leak and correct it. Since 1987, several small site assessments have determined multiple problems around the refinery. This prompted large scale site assessments in all areas around the facility except the tank farm. The refinery was officially closed in June 1991 and is currently scheduled for dismantling in 1993. After the tank farm is dismantled, the soil beneath will be assessed for contamination. The only part of the refinery that is working is the wastewater treatment plant during the summer. The bluff seepage slows t almost zero flow in the winter. The bluff seepage is captured in a catchment system and pumped up to the wastewater treatment plant at the Chevron Refinery. The oil is separated from the water and the water is discharged as allowed by the NPDES permit. The remaining barrels around the facility have been sampled and tested in October 1992. Groundwater monitoring has been conducted on the monitor wells annually since 1987. Asbestos abatement has been going on since June 1992 and is scheduled to be completed in December 1992. Contamination from the refinery has reached the groundwater below the refinery which is around 80 feet deep. The plume extends from just west of the office area and migratees in a west-south-west direction towards the Cook Inlet. The plume encompasses the light part of the tank farm to the north and then extending to the bluff seepage to the west. A better definition of the plume will be determined after the dismantling of the facility allowing soil borings to be conducted and not be hindered by refinery equipment. Contaminants range full spectrum of products that Chevron made at this refinery, asphalt to light products.

Former Staff

11/27/1992

Site Ranked Using the AHRM

Values for Environmental/Recreation Area and Air Exposure Index changed.

Former Staff

12/22/1992

Site Number Identifier Changed

A second site called Chevron Refinery with Reckey 1987230120601 has been eliminated from the database as per Twidwell's instruction. It was a duplicate of this site.

Former Staff

8/5/1993

Update or Other Action

(Old R:Base Action Code = SA2R - Phase II SA Review (CS)). Phase II site assessment has been completed and the results submitted to the department. The results show not only the unconfined aquifer to be contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons but the semi-confined aquifer is also contaminated. The bluff seepage has been found to be larger than originally thought and Chevron is considering extending the catchment system to capture the petroleum contamination existing further south of the present bluff seepage recovery system. Chevron is going to conduct further soil borings to further define areas of the petroleum plume.

Former Staff

10/21/1993

Update or Other Action

(Old R:Base Action Code = RAU - Remedial Actions Underway (General)).

Former Staff

10/21/1993

Update or Other Action

(Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). RAPR for the stockpiled soils which are to be incinerated at CleanSoils Inc. in Nikiski.

Former Staff

11/12/1993

Update or Other Action

(Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). KDO reviewed Chevron's remediation plan for the disposal of approximately 100 drums of petroleum contaminated soil. The department wrote an approval letter on November 10, 1993. Two of the drums were hazardous waste and were shipped to a hazardous waste disposal site in the lower 48. The rest of the material was consolidated and stored in a lined and covered area on an old tank pad for later disposal.

Former Staff

11/19/1993

Update or Other Action

(Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). Chevron submitted plans to remediate approximately 60 drums or 50 cubic yards of petroleum contaminated soil from drill cuttings from the site assessment and small excavated surface spills around the refinery. The soils were transported to CleanSoils where they will be treated and then returned to the refinery.

Former Staff

2/28/1994

Update or Other Action

(Old R:Base Action Code = SA1R - Phase I SA Review (CS/LUST)). Report was received on 2/22/94. Reviewed monitor well sample results and reviewed the plan for modifying the future monitor well sampling parameters and free floating product capture system for the monitor wells. Wrote approval letter for the modifications and the free floating product capture system for the monitor wells on 2/28/94.

Former Staff

3/31/1994

Update or Other Action

(Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). ADEC reviewed the system to capture free product and dissolved petroleum contamination from the base of the bluff below the Chevron refinery. Notified Chevron via phone to submit more information.

Former Staff

5/10/1994

Update or Other Action

(Old R:Base Action Code = RARR - Remedial Action Report Review (CS)). Various surface spills were excavated and characterized for treatment. The soils were found to be contaminated with DROs. The contaminated soils were remediated at Clean Soils. The department reviewed post treatment sample results for 431 cubic yards of soil that was thermally treated and found the soils to have met the level A cleanup level. The remediated soils were used as road base at the Chevron refinery.

Former Staff

5/16/1994

Update or Other Action

(Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). ADEC reviewed bluff seepage capture system.

Former Staff

5/24/1994

Update or Other Action

(Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). Reviewed remediation request to recycle petroleum contaminated soils that were stored in several hundred drums, in addition to soils still needing to be excavated from an asphalt spill. The soil in the drums has been sampled and were found to contain asphalt pieces and asphalt contaminated soils. The petroleum contaminated soils and pure asphalt, are to be disposed by recycling them into recycled asphalt road bed material with Alaska Sand and gravel in Anchorage.

Former Staff

7/11/1994

Preliminary Assessment Approved

(Old R:Base Action Code = SA1R - Phase I SA Review (CS/LUST)). Reviewed site assessment results of the partially uncovered pipeline for the outfall line.

Former Staff

5/30/1997

Cleanup Plan Approved

ADEC approved a work plan for Chevron to conduct additional assessment activities.

Don Fritz

8/23/1999

Update or Other Action

A work plan for stockpile characterization/segregation was approved. ENSR anticipates that most of the stockpiled soil on pad 1 will be clean.

Don Fritz

4/17/2001

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Site meeting with Beth Johnke and other Chevron staff, Steve King and Dennis Nottingham. Main concern is with erosion at the two ends of the groundwater capture system caused by storms. Dennis Nottingham felt that the placement of large rocks would stabilize the erosion occurring. We went to the Tesoro capture system where this was implemented and their system is holding up well. However, they have a lot more beach between them and the inlet, so most storm events may not reach their capture system.

Don Fritz

5/15/2001

Update or Other Action

Requested additional wells be sampled for future years.

Don Fritz

8/28/2001

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Site meeting with Beth Johnke and other Chevron staff, Steve King and Geomega staff. Geomega presented an overview on additional response actions that Chevron is considering, including excavating to groundwater to capture free product. Concern was expressed regarding the disappearance of gravel from in front of the capture system and the continued erosion at the south end of the capture system due to the failure of the Alaska Petroleum Contractors retaining wall. Chevron is still trying to reach agreement with APC to allow them to place rock along the capture system.

Don Fritz

6/19/2003

Update or Other Action

DEC identified the Point of Compliance for groundwater meeting water quality criteria as being the sea wall/mean high tide line.

Don Fritz

6/23/2003

Update or Other Action

DEC issued letter with issues including: 1. requiring modification of the groundwater recovery system (GWRS) extension to capture contaminated groundwater that is presently not being captured by the GWRS extension; 2. requiring a work plan for periodic monitoring of the groundwater downgradient/adjacent to the GWRS to confirm that the GWRS is adequately performing it’s purpose; 3. requesting additional information pertaining to recent maintenance of the sea wall and the beach replenishment plan; 4. identifying information to be submitted in the tri-annual GWRS reports for operation and maintenance of the GWRS/sea wall; and 5. requesting a written response to the department’s March 26, 2003 letter.

Don Fritz

2/11/2004

Update or Other Action

File number assigned and entered into the Fileroom DB and CS DB.

Alyce Hughey

4/22/2004

Site Characterization Workplan Approved

Approved work plan to incorporate soil cuttings into soil stream for Soil Processing Inc.

Don Fritz

4/29/2004

Update or Other Action

Provided comments to URS submittal regarding OWI excavation closure.

Don Fritz

4/29/2004

Update or Other Action

Site visit regarding conflict for beach use between commercial fishermen and Chevron. Also present were Jim Frechione and Jeff Ginalias (ADNR). Observed Chevron excavating upwards of 100,000 cubic yards of soil in order to slope the bluff. Tens of thousands of cubic yards of silty sand being pushed over the wall onto the tidelands. I questioned Susan regarding whether they had a permit, Susan advised that she thought so, and that she thought it was likely covered under their dredging permit. Later found out that the Corps had visited the site after us and issued a stop order on site activities due to Chevron not having a permit to place the fill into Cook Inlet.

Don Fritz

5/13/2004

Update or Other Action

Spoke with Lisa Gibson (Corps of Engineers) regarding Chevron site. Paul Dworian had advised that they their monitor well installation activities were halted by a Cease and Desist Order from the Corps. Lisa confirmed that they were conducting an investigation of the placement of fill material into Cook Inlet, and that they had issued a cease and desist order to both Chevron and to L&J Enterprises. During our conversation, Lisa told me that Chevron had not received a Corps permit to remove/place the 8,000 yards of fill from last fall. The duration of the order and the ramifications are unknown.

Don Fritz

5/26/2004

Update or Other Action

Spoke with Dave Casey (Corps of Engineers). Dave told me that the Cease and Desist Order was still in effect. The duration is unknown. Chevron and L&J Enterprises have responded to the order with additional information. According to information submitted by Chevron, approximately 140,000 cubic yards of soil were pushed down onto the tidelands. Unknown how much soil remains on top of the GWRS.

Don Fritz

5/26/2004

Update or Other Action

Phone conversation with Paul Dworian (URS). Roughly 30,000 cubic yards of soil remain on top of the GWRS. Chevron could possibly lose the field season waiting for a permit from the Corp. Chevron/URS is considering moving the soils off from the GWRS back onto the base of the hill so that work on the GWRS can continue, and URS plans to confirm that the Corp does not object with this course of action. Well installation, with the exception of the above 4 piezometers, should now be completed, and the pilot test remains on schedule. Approved of proposal to move groundwater monitoring to June.

Don Fritz

6/15/2004

Update or Other Action

Approved plan to discharge approximately 1,000 gallons of purge water to soils on-site in previously used trench.

Don Fritz

6/23/2004

Update or Other Action

Phone call with Lisa Gibson (Corps of Engineers. Lisa called to advise that their involvement with the Chevron soil placement into Cook Inlet will be transferred to EPA.

Don Fritz

6/25/2004

Update or Other Action

Contaminated sites staff responded to an e-mail request from Bob Shavelson (Cook Inlet Keepers for additional information regarding the Chevron site. Bob was informed that “The former Chevron Refinery site is being overseen by the Contaminated Sites Program. The site is listed on our database under Chevron Refinery Bluff Seepage. The site is not a “RCRA clean-up”. We are aware of the seepage at the toe of the bluff below the former Chevron Refinery site. The site came to our attention in 1987 due to free product seeping from the toe of the bluff. The Chevron site has in excess of 1 million cubic yards of petroleum contaminated soil at the former refinery location, and has a free product/dissolved phase plume that extends from the former refinery location to the shores of Cook Inlet. Chevron presently has a groundwater recovery system in place that is intercepting most of the free product/dissolved phase plume, but which has never intercepted all of the dissolved phase plume migrating to Cook Inlet. Chevron is at this time evaluating different interception/treatment technologies to reduce the migration of contamination into Cook Inlet. DEC staff have observed sheens on the surface water migrating out from the Chevron Seawall in front of the groundwater recovery system in 2003. We have also been notified by commercial fishermen that sheening in front of the seawall was often visible during the 2003 fishing season. Chevron placed roughly 8,000 cubic yards of sandy gravel in front of the seawall last fall, in an effort to replenish gravel removed by erosion. This in effect makes the seeps no longer visible.”

Don Fritz

7/8/2004

Update or Other Action

Contaminated sites staff visited the Chevron Refinery site to view a stockpile of material that Chevron requested to ship to a thermal remediation unit in Fairbanks (OIT). Staff became concerned with the proposal when we were told by Chevron’s consultant that the material was not really soil, but rather black liquid asphalt material with liner mixed in. The 40 cubic yards of stockpiled material is material that Soil Processing Inc. segregated from the waste stream that they thermally treated on site. The material appeared to be more of a solid waste then a soil, thus it may not be an acceptable material for OIT to attempt to remediate.

Don Fritz

7/23/2004

Update or Other Action

Contaminated sites staff approved a work plan for the transport of approximately 5 cubic yards of petroleum contaminated soil from Arctic Slope Regional Corporation property to Alaska Soil Recycling in Anchorage. The soil was generated during the removal of a buried pipeline that crossed the property from the former Chevron refinery to the former Colliers dock. Chevron will be providing a report that depicts remaining contamination from the recently discovered release.

Don Fritz

7/23/2004

Update or Other Action

Contaminated Sites staff denied a request to transport approximately 40 cubic yards of petroleum contaminated material from the former Chevron Refinery site to the OIT Remediation Facility in Fairbanks. Staff were informed by Chevron's consultant that the material was not really soil but rather black liquid asphalt with pieces of liner and other debris mixed in. Last year Chevron excavated the top portion of the Oily Waste Impoundment area and Soil Processing Inc. was on site to remediate the soil. The 40 cubic yards of material is material that Soil Processing Inc. segregated out of the soil stream as not being suitable for processing through their thermal remediation unit. The department was informed that ASR was approached about remediating this material, and they had also declined to accept the material for processing through their equipment.

Don Fritz

7/30/2004

Update or Other Action

Contaminated sites staff approved a request to dispose of approximately 1,800 gallons of purge/well development water generated at the Chevron Refinery site. Staff visited the site and observed the planned location of the discharge.

Don Fritz

8/9/2004

Update or Other Action

Spoke with Susan Alverez. She advised that Chevron is hauling the soils back up the hill from the GWRS via front-end loaders. The estimated time to move the soils is 3 to 5 weeks. They are using an excavator to lift the soils that remain on the beach back up onto the GWRS. The soils are presently being stockpiled at the former Rigtenders Heliport.

Don Fritz

9/10/2004

Proposed Plan

Approved plan to excavate cell 10 of the groundwater recovery system and fix existing problems with the french drain. Approval was granted to replace the soils of the french drain, even though they will likely be contaminated due to the migration of free phase/dissolved phase contamination to and through these soils.

Don Fritz

9/22/2004

Update or Other Action

Contaminated sites staff approved a request to dispose of approximately 2,720 gallons of purge/well development water generated at the Chevron Refinery site. Chris Holden confirmed, via phone call, that there is no sheen on the water.

Don Fritz

10/29/2004

Update or Other Action

Contaminated sites staff approved a request to dispose of approximately 2,800 gallons of purge/well development water generated at the Chevron Refinery site. Staff previously visited the site and observed the planned location of the discharge. No sheen is visible on the water

Don Fritz

12/2/2004

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Meeting with Chevron, contaminated sites staff and wastewater staff to discuss ongoing site activities, and future activities. Afternoon meeting included EPA, CIRCAC, and USCG and was a presentation by Chevron of background conditions.

Don Fritz

12/30/2004

Update or Other Action

Contaminated sites staff approved a request to dispose of approximately 300 gallons of purge water generated at the Chevron Refinery site. Chris Holden provided an e-mail that they desired to dispose of after filtering so that they would not have to store in freezing consitions.

Don Fritz

4/21/2005

Site Characterization Workplan Approved

Reviewed the April 11th URS work Plan for undertaking a bioventing pilot study. Chevron informedthat it is our expectation that vapor extraction/ air sparging would prove of much greater benefit. Chevron was informed that "While we appreciate Chevron's desire to evaluate bioventing, the Department believes that due to the substantial quantity of soils contaminated with volatile constituents, vapor extraction would be of greater benefit due to the removal of vapors in addition to increasing oxygen levels to facilitate bioremediation. The department would appreciate a work plan developed by Chevron to evaluate the effectiveness of vapor extraction/bioventing in conjunction with or subsequent to the proposed work plan.

Don Fritz

5/20/2005

Update or Other Action

Cost recovery memo sent to Kay Rawlings (AG's office)

Don Fritz

6/1/2005

Update or Other Action

Contaminated sites staff approved a request to dispose of approximately 2,000 gallons of purge/well development water generated at the Chevron Refinery site into the formerly approved disposal area.

Don Fritz

8/9/2005

Cleanup Plan Approved

Plan to transport approximately 30 tons of tar/asphaltic material to the Columbia Ridge Landfill in Oregon was approved.

Don Fritz

8/12/2005

GIS Position Updated

Using Site Map in file in conjunction with TopoZone Pro and the KPB Parcel Lookup, entered the coordinates for this site. Metadata includes No Topo Basemap, TopoZone Pro Street Map, Black and White Aerial Photo, on a Medium Size Map, View Scale 1:25,000, Coordinate Datum NAD83. High degree of confidence in accuracy of location.

Alyce Hughey

9/14/2005

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Chevron met with Jim Frechione and Linda Nuechterlein in Anchorage, Soldotna staff listened in via phone. The purpose of the meeting was to provide Jim an update on the 2005 field season and the results of their treatment actions (chemical oxidation and permeable wall barrier)

Don Fritz

11/9/2005

Update or Other Action

Karl Hoenke (Chevron) sent a letter to Jim Frechione stating "This is to follow-up on my telephone call to you of October 25, 2005, and to formally advise you and your agency that a major storm event on October 18, 2005 damaged construction work and equipment related to the PRB pilot test project at the above-referenced site. In addition to equipment damage, and erosion, a small diesel spill also occurred. See Spill Report, No. 05239929101. After assessing the damage it has become clear that it is too risky to try to repair the damage and complete construction safely and without further incidents prior to the end of the Alaska construction season. Thus, the damage will preclude Chevron from completing construction on the PRB pilot test project at the north end of the GWRS until at least the spring of 2006. Consequently, Chevron will not be in a position to provide you with a final feasibility study and proposed long-term remedy on January 26, 2006, as previously planned. Given these unanticipated events, we believe the January 26, 2006 meeting should be canceled. Of course, Chevron is committed to continued progress at this site despite this setback, and we will keep you informed of our activities and progress. I would also like to schedule a less formal meeting with you at the beginning of the year to update you on Chevron's activities and plans".

Don Fritz

1/12/2006

Meeting or Teleconference Held

A meeting was held with Cheveron (Karl Hoenke); Geomega (Andy Davis and Penny) and URS (Paul Dworian). DEC staff included: Jim Frechione; Linda Nuechterlein; Sharmon Stambaugh and Alan Kukla URS provided a brief summary on the chem ox system and the proposed PRB. The chem ox has operated since September 2005 and the sample results are varied and inconclusive. The system needs to be operated and sampled over time to determine its effectiveness. The installation of the passive reactive barrier (PRB) wall was delayed until spring 2006 based on weather and storm issues. There was a pilot bioventing study conducted using the former chem ox pilot area on top of the bluff. Air sparging was also tested. The preliminary results indicated air sparging was more effective in reducing benzene and GRO. Chevron then discussed the possible use of averaging groundwater sample results from the sentinel wells below the treatment areas in order to determine compliance results. ADEC indicated that the proposal will have to be reviewed by the Division of Water and CSP for compliance with regulations.

Don Fritz

2/8/2006

Update or Other Action

Air sparge/VES pilot test interim report reviewed. The initial results of the test depict that air sparging and soil vapor extraction are viable remediation methods for long term treatment of the dissolved phase constituents and of soil within the smear zone.

Don Fritz

4/4/2006

Cleanup Plan Approved

Approve plan to transport approximately 550 tons of petroleum contaminated soil from the Chevron facility to ASR in Anchorage.

Don Fritz

4/5/2006

Cleanup Plan Approved

Reviewed an air sparge/soil vapor extraction pilot test work plan for the Chevron Refinery site. Based on the success of a prior air sparge/soil vapor extraction effort, Chevron is expanding their efforts this field season by adding additional systems to further evaluate the effectiveness of air sparging/soil vapor extraction in reducing contaminant levels.

Don Fritz

4/21/2006

Update or Other Action

Reviewed the 2005 URS Peroxone/ozone demonstration test interim report covering ozone/peroxide activities between May 2005 and December 2005. Report depicts that significant reduction in benzene concentrationsreductions in GRO concentrations, and oxygenation of DRO concentrations should allow for biological degredation.

Don Fritz

5/12/2006

Update or Other Action

Staff provided management with numerous comments on Chevron's "white paper" regarding points of compliance and compliance monitoring.

Don Fritz

8/15/2006

Meeting or Teleconference Held

ADEC (Frechione & Nuechterlein) met with Chevron and consultant (URS) to discuss the 2006 cleanup activities at the site. The chem-ox injection has operated for a year with positive results (80% of downgradient monitor points reportedly met cleanup levels). The PRB wall on the north end of the sea wall is nearing completion and should be operational this fall.

Jim Frechione

9/19/2006

Meeting or Teleconference Held

ADEC (Frechione & Nuechterlein) met with Chevron and their consultants (Geomega and URS) to discuss the 2006 composite sampling event. Chevron had sampled one of the GW piezometers (MLP 25 U) and the beach seeps and analyzed the results using discrete and composite analysis. The results were discussed and plans to expand this sample methodology was discussed. The initial results from the composite sampling was positive and was proposed for other sample wells in several weeks.

Jim Frechione

3/22/2007

Exposure Tracking Model Ranking

Initial Site Ranking using the ETM

Don Fritz

6/29/2009

Cleanup Plan Approved

The "Former Chevron Refinery Corrective Action Plan" submitted for the Chevron USA Refinery site in Nikiski, Alaska by URS Corporation was approved. Chevron’s Corrective Action Plan has identified monitored natural attenuation as the remedial option for addressing the remaining contamination at the facility. In addition, the Corrective Action Plan identifies a phased decommissioning of the existing Chevron Seawall and Groundwater Recovery System. The groundwater recovery system will be replaced with a groundwater extraction/reinjection system intended to prevent contamination migrating off site from the North Plume, and a chemical oxidation treatment system will continue to treat the groundwater that migrates to Cook Inlet in the South Plume. A slurry wall will be installed to act as a hydrogeologic barrier near the toe of the bluff, and a rock revetment will be installed at the toe of the bluff to prevent further erosion and to protect the remediation systems. Chevron has further identified the intent to excavate the smear zone impacted soils in close proximity to Cook Inlet, to the maximum extent practicable. Further detail regarding aspects of the overall corrective action plan (engineered plans and an operations plan for the groundwater extraction and injection system, engineered plans for the slurry wall, a work plan for the excavation and disposal of the impacted soils, a work plan for monitored natural attenuation, etc.) will be provided so that ADEC can evaluate the specifics of the proposed work activities, and approve the plans prior to implementation. Because the current groundwater recovery system will remain intact for several months after installation of the groundwater extraction and injection systems, Chevron will be able to monitor and modify the operation of the extraction and injection systems in order to capture the North Plume. Therefore, we anticipate that the operations plan for these activities will evolve to some extent over the upcoming months, based on the modifications that are made following system start-up and monitoring. Chevron was requested to update its operations plan with ADEC after system operations have been finalized.

Don Fritz

9/18/2009

Site Characterization Workplan Approved

Staff approved Chevron’s plan to utilize an ultra violet optical screening tool for conducting additional smear zone delineation at the former Chevron USA Refinery.

Don Fritz

10/13/2009

Update or Other Action

Phone call with John Drabek (EPA) regarding NPDES outfall. John was of the belief that Chevron was not going to need their NPDES permit after this summer, I explained that they were working toward doing away with it, but that they needed it until next year when the slurry wall was installed. Follow-up phone call with Eugene Pak, who provided me with a letter that he sent to John.

Don Fritz

11/12/2009

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Met with Eugene, Keith, and Cassady regarding site activites that occurred over the past year and next years CAP implementation.

Don Fritz

11/16/2009

Site Characterization Report Approved

Review Chevron 2008 Groundwater Monitoring report

Don Fritz

4/20/2010

Site Characterization Report Approved

Review annual site status report prepared by Trihydro

Don Fritz

5/26/2010

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Met with staff from Chevron and their environmental contractor. Staff discussed Chevron’s 2010 implementation plan, and toured the site to observe ongoing activities including the excavation of clean overburden, petroleum impacted soils (approximately 6,000 cubic yards to date), and the removal of the permeable reactive barrier. Staff noted what appeared to be iron stained gravels on the beach in vicinity of the seeps that are being treated upstream by chemical oxidation.

Don Fritz

5/26/2010

Site Visit

Contaminated Sites staff visited the Chevron USA Refinery-Nikiski site to meet with staff from Chevron and their environmental contractor. Staff discussed Chevron’s 2010 implementation plan, and toured the site to observe ongoing activities including the excavation of clean overburden, petroleum impacted soils (approximately 6,000 cubic yards to date), and the removal of the permeable reactive barrier. Staff noted what appeared to be iron stained gravels on the beach in vicinity of the seeps that are being treated upstream by chemical oxidation. Topics of discussion included mix design criteria for the slurry wall, ongoing groundwater monitoring, modifications to the extraction/injection well system, and other aspects of the 2010 implementation plan.

Don Fritz

6/16/2010

Site Visit

Contaminated Sites staff visited the former Chevron Refinery site to observe ongoing project activities. Chevron intended to be installing a slurry wall to stop the migration of impacted groundwater to Cook Inlet, but the equipment experienced electrical problems. Chevron provided an overview of past and intended activites for Linda Nuecterlein's benefit.

Don Fritz

6/22/2010

Cleanup Plan Approved

Chevron’s 2010 work plan was conditionally approved. The condition was "The proposal to allow the water that accumulates on top of the slurry wall to infiltrate into a trench dug to the east of the slurry wall each day is acceptable provided that significant quantities of suspended solids do not plug off the soils and prevent infiltration of the water. Provided that the water is able to infiltrate the soils, the trench should remain open until the free standing water disappears, at which time the trench can then be backfilled. If the water that accumulates on top of the slurry wall is unable to infiltrate into the surrounding soils, Chevron will need to containerize the water and identify an alternate means of disposal."

Don Fritz

6/22/2010

Site Visit

Contaminated Sites staff visited the former Chevron Refinery site to observe ongoing project activities. Chevron is currently installing a slurry wall to stop the migration of impacted groundwater to Cook Inlet. Once the slurry wall is complete, Chevron will begin constructing a rock revetment to replace the existing seawall, and the existing groundwater recovery system will be removed.

Don Fritz

8/11/2010

Site Visit

Site visit to meet with Eugene Pak and Cassady and view installation activities associated with the construction of the rock revetment.

Don Fritz

8/18/2010

Site Characterization Workplan Approved

Issue a letter approving groundwater monitoring work plan for the Chevron Refinery site.

Don Fritz

8/20/2010

Site Visit

Went to the beach to look at the progress of the slurry wall.

Paul Horwath

9/8/2010

Site Visit

Site visit to meet with Cassady (Trihydro) to discuss comments on their submitted wastewater plans and to tour the site. Visited the slurry wall stockpile area.

Don Fritz

9/16/2010

Update or Other Action

E-mail approval of proposal to remove of the top liner for the slurry stockpile. Decided to postpone a decision on further sampling until receive report on summer’s activities.

Don Fritz

9/21/2010

Site Visit

Contaminated Sites staff conducted a site visit to the former Chevron Refinery facility near Nikiski, Alaska. Staff met with the Chevron’s project manager and Chevron’s consultant to discuss remedial actions that have occurred over the summer and planned remedial actions for next year. Staff toured the site to observe modifications to the groundwater recovery system, the construction progress of the rock revetment wall that is replacing the sheet pile wall at the base of the Cook Inlet Bluff, and the slurry stockpile which contained the excess slurry that was generated during the installation of the groundwater cut-off slurry wall. Also present from ADEC were PaulHorwath and Linda Nuechterlein

Don Fritz

9/21/2010

Site Visit

Inspect slurry wall construction and status of site remediation efforts with Don Fritz and Linda Nuechterlein.

Paul Horwath

10/5/2010

Cleanup Plan Approved

Contaminated sites staff approved a September 1, 2010Dewatering System Enhancements and Long Term Iron Control Plan. Included with this submittal were engineered plans prepared by Trihydro Corporation. The plans provided for installing two additional extraction wells and two additional monitoring wells, introducing Redux 340 into the groundwater extraction system in an effort to address iron fouling issues, and removing the surge tank from the dewatering system. Trihydro and ADEC staff met to discuss the plans on September 8, 2010. Cassady Marshall (Trihydro) informed us that no free product had been captured by the day tank as of September 8th. Verbal approval was provided to remove the surge tank from the dewatering system on September 8th. Chevron, Trihydro, and ADEC staff met at the site on September 21st and discussed additional modifications with the plan. Verbal approval was provided for suggested modifications to the plan that addressed the southernmost monitoring well and an additional proposed monitoring well. Cassady Marshall (Trihydro) provided minor modifications and clarification for the dewatering system enhancement plans on September 28th. The department has reviewed the submitted information collectively, and these plans are approved.

Don Fritz

10/6/2010

Site Visit

Contaminated Sites staff conducted a site visit to the Chevron Refinery facility near Nikiski, Alaska. Staff toured the site to observe modifications to the groundwater recovery system, the construction progress of the rock revetment wall that is replacing the sheet pile wall.

Don Fritz

10/22/2010

Site Visit

Contaminated Sites staff conducted a site visit to the Chevron Refinery facility near Nikiski, Alaska. Staff toured the site to observe the installation of the piping for the groundwater recovery system, and the final extent of the rock revetment for this calendar year.

Don Fritz

10/25/2010

Site Characterization Workplan Approved

Contaminated sites staff approved an October 6, 2010 Underground Injection Control Well Rehabilitation Plan. This work plan depicts that the injection wells are experiencing decreased injection rates due to deposition fouling, Chevron previously addressed this fouling, utilizing the same chemicals and methods proposed in the current work plan. Chevron believes that the rehabilitation of the injection wells will need to occur on a periodic basis. Chevron was requested to notify the department and EPA a minimum of 10 work days prior to future efforts to rehabilitate the wells, provided that the same chemicals and methods are utilized. If the chemicals or methods utilized to rehabilitate the wells are modified from what is identified in the work plan that is the subject of this approval, Chevron will need to submit a modified work plan and receive department approval of the work plan before undertaking well rehabilitation efforts.

Don Fritz

10/25/2010

Site Characterization Workplan Approved

Don Fritz

1/13/2011

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Reviewed the Former Chevron Kenai Refinery Annual Site Status Report, dated December 2010, from Trihydro Corporation for Don Fritz. Phase 2 of the approved Former Chevron Refinery Corrective Action Plan was implemented in 2010. The work performed included the north groundwater recovery system vault was re-routed, and the pumping from the north plume continued via the dewatering and reinjection system that was installed in 2009. Excavation of approximately 30,000 cubic yards of clean overburden and 8,700 cubic yards of impacted material were removed from the northern bluff area and stockpiled in two separate stockpiles on site. A slurry wall was installed in the northern bluff area. The groundwater recovery system seawall Cells 1 through 9, were removed and a rock revetment was constructed to replace Cells 1 through 9. Three mid bluff groundwater monitoring wells CMW-112 through CMW-114 and two dewatering wells DW-2 and DW-3 were installed. Redux 340 was added to the dewatering system to decrease the iron fouling to reduce the operation systems maintenance. The south-plume chem-ox injection system continued to operate by injecting air and ozone, with an operation rate of 90% of the time. A groundwater monitoring event was performed in August of 2010 with 36 monitoring wells being sampled, with 10 of these wells being analyzed for natural attenuation parameters, and beach seep samples were taken in May, July, and October of 2010.

Alyce Hughey

3/31/2011

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Teleconference with Chevron and Trihydro staff to discuss current site status regarding groundwater recovery efforts above the slurry wall and plans for the 2011 field season.

Don Fritz

12/27/2011

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

2011 Annual Site Status Report submitted by Trihydro. Samples collected from 35 monitoring wells. A groundwater mound was observed near the bluff. there appears to be a trend of natural attenuation of the contaminants in the groundwater in many of the monitoring wells. Petroleum impacted soils were excavated from the bluff area and significantly impacted soils were placed in a stockpile for land farm treatment. The dewatering system has been in operation pumping approximately 10,000 to 20,000 gallons per day.

Peter Campbell

12/20/2012

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Reviewed the Former Chevron Kenai Refinery Annual Site Status Report, dated December 2012, from Trihydro Corporation. The work performed included groundwater and beach sampling. The groundwater recovery system was replaced between 2009 and 2012. Two beach seep sample exceedances were noted. The dewatering system was in operation and water is reinjected at the head of the plume. Redux 340 was added to the dewatering system to decrease the iron fouling to reduce the operation systems maintenance.

Peter Campbell

9/23/2014

Site Visit

Site visit with Chevron, project consultant and DEC staff to review the past years activities and discuss options for future work. 1: Future compliance sampling points, beach seeps or monitoring wells. 2: Fate of land farm soils and sample methods.

Peter Campbell

3/23/2015

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Chevron has been granted approval to shut down the beach air sparge system to determine if further air sparging within the southern plume will be required. Beginning in April 2015, monthly sampling will be required in bluff wells. Results of monthly monitoring will be used to determine future sampling frequency.

Peter Campbell

10/6/2015

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

The air-sparge system at the beach has been shut down. On October 1, 2015 Tri-hydro submitted beach seep water sampling results for four locations. The results (<3.0 ug/L) for total BTEX (TAH) and TAQH were below ADEC cleanup levels for April and August.

Peter Campbell

12/16/2015

Update or Other Action

On December 16, 2015 Tri-hydro submitted beach seep water sampling results for four locations. The results (<3.0 ug/L) for total BTEX (TAH) and TAQH were below ADEC cleanup levels for April and August and October. The next beach seep sampling event will be in April 2016.

Peter Campbell

4/13/2016

Site Visit

Site visit with Chevron, project consultant and DEC staff to review the past years activities and discuss options for future work: Future compliance sampling points, beach seeps or monitoring wells and implications of contamination moving off of the property to the south in relation to future site closure. The beach seeps are an interim compliance point that is not acceptable under the States Surface Water Quality Standards. For site closure, water quality will have to be in compliance inland of the mean higher high tide line.

Peter Campbell

7/1/2016

Update or Other Action

Contaminated sites program notified the Underground Injection Control Well Rehabilitation will take place this summer. The injection wells are experiencing decreased injection rates due to deposition fouling. Chevron previously addressed this fouling in 2010, utilizing the same chemicals and methods. Chevron believes that the rehabilitation of the injection wells will need to occur on a periodic basis. Chevron was requested to notify the department and EPA a minimum of 10 work days prior to future efforts to rehabilitate the wells, provided that the same chemicals and methods are utilized. If the chemicals or methods utilized to rehabilitate the wells are modified from what was previously used and approved, Chevron will need to submit a modified work plan and receive department approval of the work plan before undertaking well rehabilitation efforts.

Peter Campbell

4/21/2017

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Review of the 2016 Site Status Report with several comments and a request to Chevron for additional information. Requirement for a new work plan for no-purge sampling. Requiring a work plan for expanding plumes at the northern and southern side of the property to delineate contamination that may be moving off site. We have included as an attachment to our letter, ADEC's Technical Memorandum for the Regulatory Approach to Managing Contamination in Hydrologically Connected Groundwater and Surface Water. The work plan is due by June 15, 2017.

Peter Campbell

6/13/2017

Site Visit

Meeting to discuss the 2016 site monitoring report and Chevrons response to ADECs request for additional information. Several issues were addressed. The northern pumping recovery system is becoming fouled by iron. Maintenance is required and will be addressed. Additional assessment is required on the beach to determine if impacts are present at the mean high tide line. A work plan will be submitted for additional monitoring wells. We discussed evaluating the site for PFOS and sulfoline.

Peter Campbell

8/1/2017

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Approve Purge/No Purge Work Plan to determine the data quality from no purge sampling in perimeter monitoring wells. This will be a duplicate sample effort for the August sampling.

Peter Campbell

8/28/2017

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Review Beach Well Installation Work Plan that called for the installation of three monitoring wells near the high water tide line. ADEC approved the work plan for drilling in the spring of 2018 but required the installation of three additional beach wells.

Peter Campbell

8/1/2018

Workplan Requested

Preliminary results from the three new beach wells and beech seep sampling indicate that hydrocarbons are impacting Cook Inlet. Chevrons response is to re-start the air sparge system. Review of the 2017 Annual Site Status Report requires a work plan to delineate the southern extent of the Chevron plume extending onto ASRC property and into Cook Inlet. Also requires that the work plan address sampling for PFAS compounds in monitoring wells surrounding the fire training area.

Peter Campbell

8/2/2018

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Review the 2017 Annual Site Status Report. ADEC had required comparison testing of no purge sampling to determine if the data was representative of traditional sampling methods. Duplicate samples were collected from representative wells, and for all but one well, results were comparable. No purge sampling can continue. It appears, based on the data presented that benzene is discharging to the beach from the southern end of the benzene plume. Beach drilling has confirmed this. The northern benzene plume has not been detected in the beach environment. ADEC is requiring a work plan provide for a monitoring well network that can delineate the boundary of the southern benzene plume and demonstrate that the plume is not discharging into the Inlet outside of the air sparge system treatment boundary and delineates the southern edge on ASRC property. ADEC is requiring Chevron to sample representative wells for PFAS compounds in groundwater down gradient from the historical fire fighting training area. The DRO and GRO plums have degraded and are contained without discharging to the Inlet.

Peter Campbell

9/5/2018

Update or Other Action

Chevron reported that beach seeps South-2 and South-3 and temporary beach well TBW-3 had elevated TAH levels. This in combination with elevated levels in MLP-27 wells indicated that hydrocarbons are reaching the beach environment. Chevron will be restarting the southern air sparge system.

Peter Campbell

9/24/2018

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Review and Conditionally Approve the 2018 Southern Plume Well Installation and PFAS Sampling Work Plan dated 9/17/18. The workplan was approved with the conditions that CMW-28 was added to the wells that will be sampled for PFAS compounds and that the ITRC Sampling Precautions were followed. the workplan also included a new monitoring well on ASRC property to help delineate the southern extent of a plume that is moving onto the beach.

Peter Campbell

3/7/2019

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Meeting with Chevron and consultants to discuss the 2018 sampling report, southern plume, beach dynamics and additional sample and monitoring requirements.

Peter Campbell

3/11/2019

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Review the 2018 Annual Site Status Report and send report comments to Chevron. Request work plan to verify that air sparge system is treating groundwater concentrations at depth on at the beach. Require the addition of SVOC and PAH analysis to indicator well source areas and wells that are representative of off site discharge.

Peter Campbell

8/28/2019

Update or Other Action

Chevron agrees to prepare a work plan for the sampling of PFAS compounds from monitoring wells near the former fire training grounds.

Peter Campbell

10/1/2019

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Review the Response to ADEC Review Comments & Work Plan Requirements on the 2018 Annual Site Status. Chevron will use MPL-27-D2 and MPL-27-D3 to monitor beach impacts. The loss of MPL-27-D4 in 2016 may not be significant, as historically MPL-27-D3 has been reacting similarly to benzene contamination and air sparge treatment. Source area monitoring for PAH contaminates will be added to track long term historical trends.

Peter Campbell

5/12/2020

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Review the 2019 Annual Site Status Report and issued a letter addressing beach monitoring wells and a request for a cross section demonstrating groundwater flow dynamics.

Peter Campbell

9/30/2020

Workplan Requested

Respond to Chevrons 2019 report comments. Chevron provided a cross section that shows the beach area sea wall, illustrating the flow dynamics under the rock revetment. It appears that the current temporary beach monitoring wells are not positioned to detect beach impacts the way that the lost well MPL-27-D4 did. Request a work plan from Chevron for an angled monitoring well under the sea wall. It appears that contamination for the southern property, Marathons Kenai Pipe Line Company may be comingling with Chevrons plume. We have requested that Chevron provide laboratory data that will allow the consultant to determine the source of impacts to MW-71.

Peter Campbell

3/11/2021

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Review the 2020 Annual Report. Following well rehabilitation efforts and equipment replacements, the dewatering and injection system in 2020 meets the objective of capturing impacted groundwater at the bluff and returns it to the head of the plume. In 2020, dewatering wells DW-2 and DW-3 were rehabilitated in an attempt to improve system performance. Following rehabilitation, dewatering wells operate efficiently. Groundwater quality at the ends of the slurry wall and system performance will continue to be monitored to assess overall effectiveness of the dewatering and injection system. The air sparge system at the southern edge of the benzene plume appears to be treating benzene before it impacts the beach.

Peter Campbell

5/20/2021

Update or Other Action

Letter sent to Chevron reiterating the requirement for PFAS Sampling in wells near the former fire training area.

Peter Campbell

6/1/2021

Update or Other Action

Chevron plans to update work plan for PFAS sampling and sample this field season.

Peter Campbell

7/29/2021

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Review and approve the 2021 PFAS Fire Training Area Sampling Work Plan.

Peter Campbell

12/21/2021

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Review PFAS Sampling Results Summary Report (11/4/21) PFAS found in monitoring wells around the former fire training area at one tenth of the groundwater cleanup level.

Peter Campbell

4/13/2022

Workplan Requested

ADEC will require the assessment of shallow soils in the former fire training area. The assessment should include an evaluation of the use of the fire training area, any previous remediation work that may have been conducted in the area, and an evaluation of the soil sufficient to determine if environmental risks might be associated with the site.

Peter Campbell

8/18/2022

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Review 2021 Groundwater Monitoring Report. Monitoring well CMW-112 has an increasing trend in benzene and may be outside the influence of pumping wells. CMW-112 is a well of concern that may allow impacts to migrate to the bluff. CMW-61 (near bluff) has an increasing trend in benzene concentrations.

Peter Campbell

1/30/2023

Long Term Monitoring Workplan or Report Review

Review 2022 Annual Site Status Report. CMW-111 has increasing product thickness. CMWPT-2 has had over one foot of product, now is just below 1 foot. CMW-61 GRO has no downward trend except in 2013 and 2014. Benzene is down this year. CMW-112 Benzene and TAH lower in April and October 22. There were higher groundwater elevation trends in 2022, affecting some groundwater concentrations. While an increasing trend is present at CMW-112, it is common for there to be variability in trends at some locations within a plume that is overall degrading and retracting with time. Overall, the long-term trends and 2022 data suggest that concentrations of dissolved benzene are decreasing through natural attenuation. The groundwater monitoring program will continue to further evaluate groundwater quality and assess the trends. CMW-40 on Hilcorp property was destroyed. Will be replaced. Not a high priority for replacement. Non detect since 2016, below cleanup levels for TAQH. TBW-4 was buried by tide deposited material. Beach seep samples were below cleanup levels. Pumping rate of 15837 gpd which is middle of the road for historical averages. Injection wells are experiencing fouling. CMW-112 had one sampling event that was above cleanup levels. I think that a well should be installed at an angle to the north of 112 to monitor the plume that is beyond capture.

Peter Campbell

3/15/2024

Long Term Monitoring Workplan or Report Review

Review Chevron Refinery 2023 Report. Benzene concentrations in the upgradient and central portions of the plume remained consistent overall, with benzene in some wells slightly increasing in 2023 compared with 2022. The DRO extent in 2023, displays a concentration decrease from 2022. The decrease in concentrations may be the result of fluctuations in groundwater elevations, in combination with natural attenuation. DRO concentrations in wells CMW-64 (1,500 J- µg/L) and CMW-16 (2,000 µg/L) displayed decreasing concentrations compared to 2023 concentrations. Overall, DRO concentrations continue to display decreasing trends. This suggests attenuation at the upgradient edge of the plume. GRO concentrations in the upgradient and central portions of the plume remained overall consistent and greater than the cleanup level. There is a clear decreasing trend in benzene concentrations that have been consistently less than the cleanup level of 4.6 µg/L. These wells represent all portions of the dissolved phase plume, including the interior and the distal edges. This suggests natural attenuation is occurring over a broad footprint. The dewatering and injection system was installed in 2009. Combined production rates from the three dewatering wells (DW-1, DW-2, and DW-3) averaged 19,565 gallons per day (gpd) during 2023 and ranged from 14,688 to 21,312 gpd. This rate is overall consistent with historical averages (10,000 to 25,000 gpd). The dewatering system is adequately controlling water levels behind the slurry wall. Groundwater levels within wells CMW-112, CMW-113, CMW-114, and DW-2 remained below the slurry wall level during 2023.

Peter Campbell

3/20/2024

Workplan Requested

Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Sampling Results Summary Letter – Requirement for Work Plan. A work plan was requested on 4/13/22 and no response was received from Chevron. Chevron has been notified that we will require a written response by March 20, 2024, acknowledging their intentions for this work. The next step will be a notice of violation.

Peter Campbell

3/26/2024

Update or Other Action

Response from James Kiernan via email. Chevron has obtained and reviewed the files for references to PFAS, which are extensive. Chevron proposes to present findings in an e-mail or memo format. Still requiring a work plan for PFAS investigation.

Peter Campbell

Contaminant Information

Name

Level Description

Media

Comments

Control Type

Type

Details

Requirements

Description

Details

Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Sampling Results Summary Letter – Requirement for Work Plan

ADEC Report Review - 2023 Annual Site Status Report Approval

2023 Annual Site Status Report

ADEC Report Approval - 2022 Annual Site Status Report

2022 Annual Site Status Report - No Lab Data

PFAS Sampling Results Summary Report Approval and Request for Work Plan

2021 Annual Site Status Report

PFAS Sampling Summary Letter

2021 PFAS Sampling Work Plan Approval Letter

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Sampling Work Plan

018 Southern Plume Well Installation and PFAS Sampling Work Plan

2nd request for PFAS Sampling Report

2020 Annual Site Status Report

ADEC Request for Information and Work Plan

Chevron Response to ADEC Review Comments

ADEC Comments on 2019 Annual Site Status Report

2019 Annual Site Status Report

No associated sites were found.

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Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

Site Report: Chevron USA Refinery-Nikiski

Site Chronology

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Documents

Associated Sites

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Action Information

Contaminant Information

Control Type

Requirements

Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Sampling Results Summary Letter – Requirement for Work Plan

ADEC Report Review - 2023 Annual Site Status Report Approval

2023 Annual Site Status Report

ADEC Report Approval - 2022 Annual Site Status Report

2022 Annual Site Status Report - No Lab Data

PFAS Sampling Results Summary Report Approval and Request for Work Plan

2021 Annual Site Status Report

PFAS Sampling Summary Letter

2021 PFAS Sampling Work Plan Approval Letter

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Sampling Work Plan

018 Southern Plume Well Installation and PFAS Sampling Work Plan

2nd request for PFAS Sampling Report

2020 Annual Site Status Report

ADEC Request for Information and Work Plan

Chevron Response to ADEC Review Comments

ADEC Comments on 2019 Annual Site Status Report

2019 Annual Site Status Report

Missing Location Data

State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation