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Site Report: USFS Empire Mine

Site Name: USFS Empire Mine
Address: Hawk Inlet Western Shoreline, Admiralty Island, Juneau, AK 99801
File Number: 1513.38.069
Hazard ID: 4198
Status: Active
Staff: Brittani Mack, 9072697558 brittani.mack@alaska.gov
Latitude: 58.172410
Longitude: -134.776449
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

The Empire Mine site is divided into two geographically separate areas - an upper area which includes the former mine, mill, tailings piles, and several collapsed buildings, and a lower area which includes a former dock area and other buildings (standing and collapsed). As documented in a 7/1995 USFS Summary Report, elevated concentrations of petroleum are located at the upper area (up to 310,000 mg/kg total petroleum hydrocarbons), as well as lead (up to 40,000 mg/kg), mercury (3.1 mg/kg) and arsenic (19 mg/kg) in two tailings piles located adjacent to an anadromous stream. Lead contaminated soil (1400 mg/kg) was found near some drums at the lower area. In sediment arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, and nickel exceed NOAA threshold effects levels. Biota in the area also exceed Alaska averages for several metals; Dolly Varden tissue had elevated levels of cadmium, chromium, copper, and selenium; clams have elevated levels of mercury and selenium; mussels have elevated levels of selenium.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
1/10/2006 Site Added to Database Site added to the database. Bruce Wanstall
3/13/2013 CERCLA SI A July 1995 USFS Summary Report was provided to Contaminated Sites by the DEC Division of Water. Report documents sample results from both the upper and lower camps. Contaminants at the upper camp include petroleum hydrocarbons at a large aboveground storage tank and drum areas, and metals contaminated tailings at the stamp mill and two piles near a fish stream. The report also states that explosives were present, however the USFS says that those have been removed. Lead contamination in soil at the lower camp was found to be present near some drums. It is believed that ore from the upper camp was stockpiled at the lower camp before being shipped out - the lower camp is next to Hawk Inlet. Dock pilings are present, but a former stockpile area was not identified. Anne Marie Palmieri
3/14/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC-Contaminated Sites met with ADF&G, DEC-Division of Water, and the USFS about Empire Mine. ADF&G is interested in surveying the stream and collecting fish samples and would like to partner with DEC-Contaminated Sites and the USFS. Contaminated Sites staff will collect soil, sediment, and surface water samples from the site and biota (mussels and/or clams) from Hawk Inlet. The USFS will look into providing transportation (boat/helicopter)for the 2 day field event. Anne Marie Palmieri
10/2/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADF&G and DEC met to discuss the planned field work for 10/10. The federal government is shutdown and it is unknown when they might reopen. Given short days and potentially rainy fall weather, the agencies decided to wait until spring to do the field work. Anne Marie Palmieri
4/2/2014 Meeting or Teleconference Held A meeting was held this date with ADEC, ADF&G and the USFS. The field work has been rescheduled to May 28-29. Anne Marie Palmieri
4/22/2014 Meeting or Teleconference Held Teleconference with ADF&G, ADEC, and USFS. May fieldwork has been rescheduled for August due to ADEC budget constraints. Anne Marie Palmieri
4/24/2014 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 75167 name: Upper Area - Mine Tailings Anne Marie Palmieri
4/24/2014 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79624 name: Lower Area - Former Dock Area & Building Anne Marie Palmieri
8/7/2014 Site Visit Site visit with the USFS and ADF&G conducted at the lower camp this date. Biota, sediment, and surface water samples were collected. Anne Marie Palmieri
8/8/2014 Site Visit A site visit with USFS and ADF&G was conducted at the upper camp this date. Soil, sediment, and surface water samples were collected by CS staff. Anne Marie Palmieri
8/28/2014 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other CS staff provided comments to the USFS on a draft site characterization work plan this date. Anne Marie Palmieri
9/9/2014 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Site characterization work plan approved this date. Anne Marie Palmieri
8/23/2016 CERCLA PA Staff approved the PA/SI report on this date. Anne Marie Palmieri
9/2/2016 Update or Other Action On this date, DEC sent a letter to the USFS requesting action on a number of sites. For this site, DEC stated: The USFS conducted a site investigation in 1995 which identified elevated concentrations of metals and petroleum hydrocarbons at the site. In August 2014, DEC, Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), and the USFS partnered on a joint sampling event. In September 2014, the USFS conducted a Preliminary Assessment/Site Inspection (PA/SI). Elevated concentrations of metals were found in the soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater at the Upper Camp as well as soil stained by petroleum hydrocarbons. Tailings piles with elevated concentrations remain adjacent to the creek and continue to erode tailings into the creek. In a letter dated August 23, 2016, DEC approved the PA/SI report and requested that the USFS provide a letter outlining the timeline for additional characterization and/or cleanup within 30 days (September 22, 2016). Anne Marie Palmieri
10/11/2017 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC, EPA, and USFS met to discuss roles and responsibilities for each agency. Specific actions regarding this site were not discussed at this meeting. Anne Marie Palmieri
2/14/2018 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC, EPA, and USFS met to discuss roles and responsibilities for each agency. Specific actions regarding this site were not discussed at this meeting. Anne Marie Palmieri
5/8/2019 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC and the USFS met on this date to discuss many sites and how to move the sites forward in the cleanup process. A next meeting was scheduled for August. Anne Marie Palmieri
8/12/2019 Meeting or Teleconference Held CS Staff met with the USFS to discuss site issues on this date. Anne Marie Palmieri
10/8/2019 Meeting or Teleconference Held CS Staff met with the USFS to discuss general coordination issues on this date. Anne Marie Palmieri
2/12/2020 Meeting or Teleconference Held CS Staff met with the USFS to discuss general coordination and site issues on this date. Anne Marie Palmieri

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details

Requirements

Description Details

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

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State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

P.O. Box 111800
Juneau, AK 99811-1800
Phone: 907-465-5066
Fax: 907-465-5245
TDD: 800-770-8973
Physical Location: 410 Willoughby