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Site Report: Nike Site Love

Site Name: Nike Site Love
Address: Old Murphy Dome Road, 11 Miles N. of Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99701
File Number: 100.38.131
Hazard ID: 3241
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 64.983440
Longitude: -147.887109
Horizontal Datum:WGS84

We make every effort to ensure the data presented here is accurate based on the best available information currently on file with DEC. It is therefore subject to change as new information becomes available. We recommend contacting the assigned project staff prior to making decisions based on this information.

Problems/Comments

Nike Site Love ("Site E") was part of the Nike Hercules guided missile air defense system deployed in 1959 to protect Alaskan military bases and cities. The site was inactivated in 1970 and the land subsequently obtained by the Cook Inlet Regional Corporation as part of ANCSA. The Battery Control facility is indicated to be in section 26 and lat./long on Site Address tab represents its coordinates. Launch Site coordinates listed as 64 deg., 59', 05" North lat., -147 deg., 53', 10" W. long. This 1,276.39-acre site is situated on the Murphy Dome Road and just north of the headwaters of O'Connor and Hattie Creeks, in Sections 23 and 24 of T2N, R2W, Fairbanks Meridian. Improvements: numerous buildings, towers, and other improvements supporting the anti-aircraft missile launching facility. It was considered destroyed by vandals and weather in 1984. Tract A (1,060 acres) was withdrawn for the Army from the public domain by PLO 1641 of 22May58, as the Ladd Defense Area, Nike Battery "E". An additional 216.38 acres (Tract B) were acquired from BLM by 44LD513 notation (serial number 020505) in Public Land Records dated 5Nov58, as amended 14Dec61. A Notice of Relinquishment was sent to BLM on 4Nov71 and all but 100 acres were scheduled for conveyance to Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), in 1984. This site was visited by the Alaska District in October 1979 and found to be "totally destroyed by vandals and the elements." A report by the General Accounting Office in 1980, "Protection and Prompt Disposal Can Prevent Destruction of Excess Facilities in Alaska", provided descriptions and photos of this site in its deteriorated condition. The Army had reported the site in "good condition" when it closed the site in 1971. Remediation was initiated in 1986 by the Army Corps of Engineers under the Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) Program. ***Updated September 2011*** 1985 The document Hazardous Waste Identification, Characterization, and Disposal- Nike Sites Jig, Love and Bay prepared by Harza Engineering Company (October 1985) indicated that two site investigations took place in 1985. Diagrams of sample locations included in this report identify USACE sampling points as well as contractor sampling points. Samples collected under this effort included surface soil, hydraulic fluid, storage tank contents, soil acidity, and tank/piping insulation. Target analytes included PCBs, petroleum products, chlorinated solvents, acid residues, lead, and hydrocarbons. The documents reports finding lead and hydrocarbon contaminated surface soil, as well as surface soil with a high acidity concentration. 1986 Building Demolition and Debris Removal (BD/DR) activities occurred during 1986, however no records or report are available at ADEC. According to the 1998 Preliminary Assessment conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), documentation of samples collected from contaminated soil excavation and removal activities, or a report summarizing 1986 BD/DR activities do not exist. A summary of the 1986 BD/DR activities from the 1998 Preliminary Assessment document reveals: • Fuel tanks were removed from the ground, however no confirmation sampling took place • Asbestos containing material was transported to the Fairbanks North Star Borough Landfill. • A group of transformers was located on the ground at an unknown location were removed. Soil samples were taken, however “results identified unspecified compounds at levels below cleanup criteria.” 1998 In 1998 the EPA completed a Preliminary Assessment Report for Nike Site Love. This investigation collected limited surface soil samples for site screening purposes. Target analytes included Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), PCBs, and Total petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH). The document reports PCB and TPH detections in the surface soil. The report also identifies the surface water pathway as the greatest potential impact to receptors. 1999 In May 1999 the ADEC received a Draft No Further Action Report (NFAR) for Nike Site Love. This report requested ADEC concurrence that no further action was needed to protect human health and environment at this site. 2002 In 2002 ADEC issued a letter response to the USACE NFAR. This letter provided numerous comments on the NFAR requesting additional information, clarification, and revision. Because of the potential data gaps remaining in site characterization, ADEC was unable to determine if site closure was appropriate for Nike Site Love. This letter has been included as an attachment to this correspondence. 2006 In 2006 ADEC conducted an environmental records review for Nike Site Love at the request of the USACE. This letter states that the current information available for the site is not sufficient for site closure, and requested further investigation as a result of some of the findings of the data review. The results of this file review are summarized in a letter to the USACE dated November 2, 2006. This letter is also included as an attached to this correspondence. 2009 In November 2009 the department received a public complaint regarding potential military debris and contamination surrounding the Nike Site Love location. Email correspondence from ADEC was sent to the USACE requesting follow-up information and additional investigation at this site. USACE response to this email indicated that this was a low priority site, and that steps to identify the areas of concern identified by the complaint would be planned. A copy of this email chain is included as an attachment to this correspondence. 2011 On July 29, 2011 ADEC CS Section received another call from Mr. Anderson requesting information regarding the status of activities planned to clean up the contamination and debris he pointed out in his 2009 complaint. He also mentioned concern about contamination originating from Nike Site Love potentially affecting his private drinking water well, as well as the surrounding surface soil and surface water ingested by his sled dogs. In response to this complaint, ADEC CS Staff has taken the following steps: • Contacted USACE FUDS Program representatives Ron Pflum and Kenneth Andraschko on July 29, 2011 regarding the status of planned cleanup activities at the Nike Site Love. On August 4th, 2011 ADEC was informed that are currently no additional cleanup activities planned at this site. • ADEC paper and electronic files on Nike Site Love were reviewed to determine the site status and clarify current site conditions. Findings from this review are summarized below. • On August 1, 2011 CS Staff, Amanda Loomis and David Robinson, conducted a site visit to document the public concerns related to this site. During this site visit CS Staff also provided Mr. Anderson with the Division of Public Health’s informational material on the contaminants with which he was concerned, contact information to ADEC Drinking Water Section, and documentation tracking his complaint. • On August 8, 2011 CS Staff returned to Mr. Anderson’s residence to sample his drinking water well. Target analytes included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and metals. • Prepared a letter summarizing complaint, records review, and findings from site visit for the USACE. The current land owner appears to be Cook Inlet Regional Corporation.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
2/3/1999 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Surface Water Exposure Index and Environmental/Recreation Area Values changed from original ranking by Harwood. Greg Light
11/4/1999 Site Added to Database Petroleum contaminated soil. Former Staff
11/9/1999 Update or Other Action The Corps of Engineers conducted cleanup work at this site under the FUDS Program in the mid 1980s. It is planning to compile documentation on that cleanup effort and to propose that no further action is necessary. ADEC staff will review the information provided by the Corps and evaluate whether the cleanup is sufficient to meet state standards. John Halverson
7/10/2002 GIS Position Updated Changed the Latitude, Longitude, Method Accuracy, Accuracy and Unit fields. Heather Goldman
8/22/2002 Update or Other Action Nike Love and Jig FUD Sites (Buck) Staff reviewed and sent comments on No Further Action Reports for these two sites. There are significant data gaps in the reports. Staff requested the Corp revise the documents and provide additional information, before DEC determines if site closure is appropriate. Patrice Buck
8/11/2004 Update or Other Action DEC received a response to the comment letter sent on August 22, 2002 from the Army Corps of Engineers. Colin Craven
11/3/2006 Update or Other Action Sent letter to ACOE requesting additional investigation at this site. Colin Craven
11/3/2009 Update or Other Action Received a complaint from a local musher indicating debris and possible contamination left at site. Sent email to ACOE requesting follow up to our 2006 request for further action. Fred Vreeman
7/29/2011 Update or Other Action Recieved a complaint from a local musher who is concerned about military related debris scattered in the woods surrounding his property, and military related contamination in his drinking water affecting his family's and dog's health. Amanda Loomis
8/1/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Historic Records review Amanda Loomis
8/1/2011 Site Visit CS Staff site visit to document the concerns of the public complaint. Amanda Loomis
8/4/2011 Update or Other Action USACE FUDS representatives returned ADEC call to report the public complaint recieved about NIKE Site Love. Amanda Loomis
8/8/2011 Site Visit Site visit to sample drinking water Amanda Loomis
8/9/2011 Update or Other Action Letter report of NIKE Site Love findings sent to USACE Amanda Loomis
8/18/2011 Update or Other Action Results from well sampling recieved. As is the only analyte above Table C cleanup standard. Results discussed with property owner. Amanda Loomis
9/7/2011 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 74216 name: auto-generated pm edit Nike Site Love Amanda Loomis
9/12/2011 Update or Other Action Contacted USACE regarding response to Letter Report sent 8/09/2011. Amanda Loomis
8/1/2014 Site Visit Responded to public complaint and conducted site visit. Verified site is on Attachment A DSMOA and scheduled for work in 2015 Fred Vreeman
8/7/2015 Update or Other Action Received EA/FONSI for cleanup work at site. Responded with compliance advisory that any cleanup work must be coordinated with ADEC. Work to be conducted by FUDS program. RPM assigned. ACOE Alaska District is identifying property owners and seeking rights of entry. Fred Vreeman
6/2/2016 Site Visit DEC Project Manager (PM) visited site to observe Site Investigation activities at the Battery Control Area and Launch Complex Area. The site was overgrown, and extensive brush clearing of alders was required to access most locations. The PM observed survey probe locations, Ultraviolet Optical Screening Tool (UVOST) real-time data collection of potential soil contamination and continuous core sampling, and identification of empty transformer to be removed. Joy Whitsel
12/1/2016 Meeting or Teleconference Held CS managers participate in the annual FUDS site management action plan meeting. The purpose of the is to collaborate with FUDS management on site progress and prioritization for all of the formerly used defense sites. FUDS prioritization is based on risk, congressional interest, state input and proximity to other sites on the prioritization list. FUDS has increased environmental restoration funding in Alaska for the 2017 and 2018 field seasons to meet National goals for site progress. Darren Mulkey
12/16/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received the draft Site Investigation report. The objectives of the investigation were: to confirm the presence or absence of contaminants of potential concern (COPCs) in soil from potential sources at the site; to delineate the vertical and horizontal extent of petroleum-oil-lubricant (POL) impacted soil contamination; and to remove and dispose of a single empty transformer near Launch Complex Area and confirm the presence or absence of PCB contamination in soil. Joy Whitsel
1/4/2017 Site Characterization Report Approved DEC approved the Site Investigation Report. The purpose of the site investigation was to explore potential source areas that may contain residual contamination, including presence or absence of contaminants of potential concern; identify the vertical and horizontal extent of UVOST detectable petroleum-oil-lubricant (POL) impacted soil contamination; and to remove and dispose of a single empty transformer near Launch Complex Area and collect one surface soil sample. Diesel range organics (DRO), tetrachloroethene (PCE), and four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected in soil in excess of most stringent EPA or DEC migration to groundwater soil cleanup levels. The transformer was not removed during the site investigation but is planned for removal during the removal action scheduled for summer of 2017. The 2017 removal action will also address other eligible drums and debris, associated contaminated soil (if identified), and POL contaminated soil at the Launching Complex Area - Fuel Oil underground storage tank. DEC concurs with all conclusions and recommendations in the site investigation report and approves it as final. Joy Whitsel
4/6/2017 Cleanup Plan Approved DEC approved a work plan to remove facility related materials including containers, debris, and petroleum, oil, and lubricant (POL)-contaminated soil previously identified at the site, and conduct sampling to confirm no releases occurred in relation to these items. A focused test pit investigation will also be conducted at two locations where soil with contaminants above the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) cleanup levels was identified. Joy Whitsel
1/4/2018 CERCLA Removal Action Report DEC received the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) "Removal Action Report, Nike Site Love CON/HTRW, Fairbanks, Alaska, Formerly Used Defense Site F10AK0854-02, Draft" dated November 2017 on December 6, 2017. The report describes: the removal of petroleum-contaminated soil at the Nike Site Love Former Launch Control Building; test pits dug at Launch Control Section No. 1 and Battery Control – Vehicle Repair Building; drum and debris removal; and confirmation sampling. DEC sent comments on the draft report to USACE on January 4, 2018. Melinda Brunner
3/2/2018 CERCLA Removal Action Report On March 2, 2018, DEC sent an evaluation of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers's response to DEC's January 4, 2018 comments on the "Removal Action Report, Nike Site Love CON/HTRW, Fairbanks, Alaska, Formerly Used Defense Site F10AK0854-02, Draft" dated November 2017. Melinda Brunner
5/4/2018 CERCLA Removal Action Report On May 4, 2018, DEC emailed concurrence to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding their proposed changes in response to DEC's January 4, 2018 comments on the "Removal Action Report, Nike Site Love CON/HTRW, Fairbanks, Alaska, Formerly Used Defense Site F10AK0854-02, Draft" dated November 2017. Melinda Brunner
11/1/2018 CERCLA Removal Action Report On November 1, 2018 DEC received "Removal Action Report Nike Site Love CON/HTRW Fairbanks, Alaska FUDS Final June 2018". Rachael Petraeus
3/11/2019 CERCLA Removal Action Report Final Removal Action Report was approved by Rachael Blurton (DEC) on December 18, 2018. In the approval letter it is noted that: Diesel range organics (DRO) and two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected in soil in excess of most stringent DEC for under 40 inch zone human health and migration to groundwater soil Method Two cleanup levels. Additional activities, including but not limited to, contaminated soil excavation and sampling to delineate data gaps are needed at the site. John O'Brien
7/16/2019 Update or Other Action Site location was updated on this date. Coordinates for this site are used to determine the presence and position of the site on BLM’s ANCSA Conveyed Land web map. Rebekah Reams
2/19/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received request for closure from USACE. Shonda Oderkirk
1/4/2022 Institutional Control Record Established Institutional Controls established and entered into the database. Shonda Oderkirk
1/4/2022 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued Migration to groundwater pathway determined to be incomplete due to shallow bedrock at the site. In the absence of MTG pathway, human health CUL are applied. Remaining contamination is below the HH cleanup levels. Shonda Oderkirk
1/4/2022 Institutional Control Record Removed Institutional Controls have been removed. Shonda Oderkirk

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
DRO Other Soil MTG pathway incomplete; closure based on HH CULs. Remaining contamination is below HH CULs.
Benzo(a)anthracene Other Soil MTG pathway incomplete; closure based on HH CULs. Remaining contamination is below HH CULs.

Control Type

Type Details
No ICs Required

Requirements

Description Details
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.
Movement or use of contaminated material (including on site) in a manner that results in a violation of the water quality standards is prohibited (18 AAC 70)

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

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