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Site Report: ADNR Goose Bay State Game Refuge Creek Dump

Site Name: ADNR Goose Bay State Game Refuge Creek Dump
Address: Goose Bay NIKE Site Access Road - Cameo Drive, Near the end of Goose Bay Knik Road, Big Lake, AK 99652
File Number: 2226.38.001
Hazard ID: 4304
Status: Active
Staff: Janice Wiegers, 9074512127 janice.wiegers@alaska.gov
Latitude: 61.397960
Longitude: -149.866890
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

This site has historically been used as: a dump by the military, for dumping asbestos containing materials by the Alaska Department of Corrections(adjacent to the military dump), and illegal dumping from unknown trespassers. It is collocated with the brownfield file #2226.57.002. The landfill, currently owned by ADNR, is located 0.8 miles southeast of the Launch Control Area. The U.S. Air Force acquired 613.19 acres in 1956 and the U.S. Army acquired 724.54 acres in 1956 for use as a Nike Hercules anti-aircraft missile site. Known as Nike Site Bay, the site was constructed in 1958, became operational in 1959, and was inactivated in 1979. In 1982, the NIKE HERCULES missile site was decommissioned and tactical weapons were removed from the site. The military administrative facilities were split off when the land was no longer needed for military purposes and transferred to the ADOC. In 1984, The ADOC used the landfill for deposition of construction debris, and a portion of the landfill was permitted for asbestos disposal. On May 11, 1987, EPA listed the landfill as a potential hazardous waste site, citing asbestos problems and a complaint that between 20 and 30 transformers had allegedly been buried in a trench. No date or specific location for the alleged burial was provided. A September 13, 1996, letter from the Army to DEC stated that the landfill had been inspected, and missile booster canisters protruding from the landfill would be removed as part of future FUDS cleanup work. Recent unauthorized use of the landfill includes target practice, illegal dumping of construction and residential debris, and general mischief (e.g., setting abandoned vehicles on fire, shooting 55 gallon drums, etc). In 2006, three abandoned and vandalized 55-gallon drums with obvious soil staining were discovered by DEC staff during a site visit. Former contents appeared to be used oil. Note: A 1960 aerial photograph of the site shows a smaller footprint for the landfill than is currently present. The landfill area expanded substantially to the northeast between 1960 and 1984. The landfill remained in a similar state through 1990, as evidenced by the 1984 and 1990 aerial photographs. The Landfill Satellite Area was not in use in 1960. This area was developed between 1960 and 1984 and remained the same into 1990(Oasis, 2010).

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
6/15/1984 Update or Other Action DEC issued a solid waste disposal permit to the DOC for disposal of construction and demolition debris and asbestos in 1984, valid through December 30, 1985. The permit was described as adjacent to the “old military dumpsite,” which was described as an “existing, unpermitted facility” (Mitchell 2001). Grant Lidren
6/15/1986 Update or Other Action DOC applied to renew the solid waste disposal permit in May 1986, to dispose of 850 feet of piping with asbestos-containing insulation. In May 1986, a DEC site inspection observed exposed asbestos bricks and siding material at the previous asbestos disposal location. DEC issued a notice of violation to DOC for inadequate cover material, and the permit renewal sought by DOC was denied. Grant Lidren
5/11/1987 Update or Other Action EPA listed the landfill as a potential hazardous waste site on May 11, 1987, citing asbestos problems and a complaint that between 20 and 30 transformers had allegedly been buried in a trench. No date or specific location for the alleged burial was provided. Grant Lidren
9/13/1996 Update or Other Action DEC (1992) prepared a Preliminary Assessment report, which recommended assessing the landfill and requested the Corps do so under the FUDS program in 1995. A September 13, 1996, letter from the Corps stated that the landfill had been inspected, and missile booster canisters protruding from the landfill would be removed as part of future FUDS cleanup work. Grant Lidren
6/15/1998 Update or Other Action An assessment report was prepared for the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Environmental Security) by NSWC et al. (1998) evaluating the potential impacts of past military activities to Knik ATNU, Inc. lands downgradient from the landfill. Identified tribal concerns included potential leachate production and migration off-site to tribal lands, the return of tribal artifacts reportedly removed from the cannery site during base construction, and the lack of tribal economic benefit from the operation or remediation of the site. The area occupied by the landfill is estimated at 2.3 acres and the estimated depth of the landfill cell is 15 feet bgs.Pictures taken show debris with military markings; usead as rip-rap on the shoreline of the wetland. Another picture shows stressed vegetation at the landfill/wetland interface. Grant Lidren
6/15/2001 Update or Other Action A letter from DEC to DNR summarizing the history of the dumpsite (Mitchell 2001) recommended that DNR more adequately identify locations of asbestos disposal at the landfill. Upon identification of asbestos disposal locations, DNR was informed that they should evaluate if the asbestos has adequate coverage, document the location on the land deed, and install fencing and signs if the area is frequented by the public. Grant Lidren
6/15/2002 Update or Other Action A site investigation report prepared for the Corps, who manages FUDS activities for DoD, summarized activities and associated data from a preliminary site investigation in 2002, with the goal of contamination delineation and determining the need for additional work (Knik and Portage 2002). Although the following contaminants were identified in subsurface soils and pond sediments, DEC cleanup levels were not exceeded: VOCs, metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, and PCBs. PCBs were identified in pond sediments based on limited sampling (three locations total). Knik and Portage (2002) recommended additional sampling to determine the full range of PCB concentrations, identify the source, and determine the extent of PCB contamination. Debris posed physical hazards at the landfill. The data gaps identified by the Knik and Portage (2002) investigation were the lack of sufficient groundwater concentration data; no data on flow direction; and lack of data on the nature and extent of potential contamination. Test pits were excavated to determine the boundaries of landfilled wastes (Knik and Portage 2002). Waste depth varied, with a maximum observed depth of 16 feet bgs. If all waste is contained within the inferred waste boundary and an average depth of 15 feet is assumed, the waste volume is estimated at 15,000 cubic yards (Knik and Portage 2002). Groundwater elevation observed in test pits was approximately the same as the adjacent pond surface water elevation (approximately 10 to 15 feet below the landfill ground surface). Waste was highly decomposed and typically consisted of metal debris and scraps. Due to the health and safety hazards associated with removal of asbestos containing material, Knik and Portage (2002) made no attempt to delineate the extent of buried asbestos waste. Grant Lidren
8/2/2006 Update or Other Action On this date, the Alaska Mental Health Trust transferred the property to ADNR(Quitclaim Deed 2006-026493-0). Former Staff
9/14/2006 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Site transferred by PERP staff Frank Wesser. Spill Number 05239925801; Spill Date 9/15/05; estimated volume 10 gallons; presumed substance = used oil. Mitzi Read
9/19/2006 Site Added to Database Site added to the database. Mitzi Read
11/13/2006 Site Characterization Report Approved On this date, ADEC received Surface Stain Characterization, Mental Health Trust Authority Land, Knik, Alaska, dated October 19, 2006 and submitted by Shannon & Wilson. Stained soil from four 55 gallon waste oil drums released contents creating a stain 10 ft. by 15 ft. A soil sample collected from the stained surface contained GRO up to 2,200 mg/kg, RRO up to 98,400 mg/kg, and PCE up to .701 mg/kg. A soil sample collected 1.0 ft. bgs contained RRO up to 5,650 mg/kg, and PCE up to .545 mg/kg. This area is a makeshift shooting range with historic military and landfill/ dumping activities. Grant Lidren
8/22/2007 Update or Other Action Spoke with Mike Franger (Alaska Mental Health Lands Trust) regarding the property. Mike told me that the property had been transferred back to ADNR from the Trust Lands Office. Don Fritz
8/23/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Intitial Ranking Complete for Source Area: 75283 (Autogenerated Action)
11/13/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Updated Ranking Complete for Source Area: 75283 (Autogenerated Action)
5/28/2009 Update or Other Action File transferred from Soldotna to Anchorage 6-1-09. Project Manager changed from Don Fritz to Grant Lidren to Deb Williams. Alyce Hughey
6/9/2009 Site Visit Site is an area of an illegal shooting and dumping site. The site is littered with: empty buckets, batteries, burned cars, burned washing machines, 5 gallon paint buckets, 55 gallon drums, misc. debris in the slough, an old UST, etc.; all of which has been shot up. The surface stain site, from the 4 drums that was characterized in October 19, 2006 by Shannon and Wilson, was located. To the left of this area, another stain was located, which appears to be from a car that was burned next to it. A sweet odor was noted from this area. Grant Lidren
6/30/2009 Update or Other Action According to the file, in the Nike Site Bay 2002 Preliminary Site Investigation Report subsurface soils and pond sediments were collected at the former landfill. The preliminary site investigation data shows elevated levels of VOCs, metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons in soils and water surrounding the landfill. Past reports alleged that transformers might have been buried at the landfill. The 2002 landfill site investigation found PCB contamination in three subsurface soil and four pond sediment samples. Elevated levels of RRO were also found in the same samples. Former Staff
9/3/2009 Brownfields Award Notice to proceed was awarded to Oasis through SPAR term contract. Project managed under Reause and Redevelopment Program. Deborah Williams
11/3/2009 Site Visit Oasis, a consultant for DEC, conducted a site visit to collect information that included taking photographs and collecting soil samples for the property assessment and cleanup plan. Deborah Williams
6/25/2010 Update or Other Action DEC received the Property Assessment and Cleanup Plan for the Goose Bay Nike Missile Site and Launch Control Area and Landfill. Site reconnaissance and sampling took place on the Launch Control Area on October 30 and November 2, 2009 and at the landfill on November 3, 2009. Soil samples collected from two observed soil stains at the site contained DRO up to 20,600 mg/kg and RRO up to 58,700 mg/kg. Based on the information collected during the property assessment, Oasis identified the following potential source and source areas at the landfill: physical hazards associated with exposed debris from eroding landfill; potential PCB contamination of adjacent surface water and sediments; illegally dumped debris, including potential contamination associated with vehicles, drums, paint cans, and construction debris; eroding landfill potentially exposing absbestos containing material; lead in berms near concentrated shooting areas; and petroleum contaminated soil (stained soil areas) associated with abandoned vehicles and equipment. Deborah Williams
9/22/2010 Site Visit Contaminated Sites staff conducted a site visit at the Knik Goose Bay former Nike Missile Site Launch Control Area and Landfill with Joe Meehan of the ADF&G, as well as other agencies including: DNR, University of Alaska Anchorage, the Mental Health Trust, and the Mat-Su Borough. Staff did not witness any obvious hazardous solid waste issues. Joe Meehan of ADF&G is leading a solid waste removal effort from the ADNR Goose Bay State Game Refuge Creek Dump site and potentially some from the Goose Bay NIKE Site Launch Facility site on October 17, 2010. Mr. Meehan will be working with 70 Alaska National Guard recruits and the Mat-Su Borough. This area is a makeshift shooting range with historic military and landfill/dumping activities. Grant Lidren
3/13/2012 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 75283 Goose Bay State Game Refuge Creek Dump. Grant Lidren
8/30/2013 Site Visit ADEC performed a site visit on this date. A vast majority of the solid waste observed by ADEC in 2009 was removed by the National Guard in 2010. Earth berms were also erected to prevent vehicular access; however the site is still accessible by ATVs. Minor waste was observed at the site including shotgun shells, target posts, cardboard, shot up piles of scrap metal, and debris in the slough. Stained soil was also observed at the former four 55 gallon waste oil drums area. Grant Lidren
8/13/2014 Site Visit ADEC and ADF&G performed a site visit on this date. As observed during the 2013 site visit, minimal solid waste remains at the site. The earth berms preventing vehicular access were still present; however the site is still accessible by ATVs. Minor waste was observed at the site including shotgun shells, target posts, cardboard, shot up piles of scrap metal, and debris in the slough including old cars, washing machines, and a 55-gallon drum. Stained soil was also observed at the former four 55 gallon waste oil drums area as well as other areas at the site. Grant Lidren
12/2/2016 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter PRP letter sent to USACE on this date Grant Lidren
12/13/2016 Update or Other Action On this date, ADEC received a letter from USACE dated December 8, 2016. The USACE plans to revise the Inventory Project Report to include a new PRP project for the site. Grant Lidren
10/10/2018 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter PRP letter sent to the current landowner ADNR on this date. Grant Lidren
10/26/2018 Update or Other Action Correspondence from USACE on this date states, "The Revised Inventory Project Report to include a new PRP project for the ADNR Goose Bay State Game Refuge Dump has not been completed." Grant Lidren
10/2/2019 Update or Other Action Correspondence from USACE on this date states USACE needs to "...approve a new PRP project before moving forward with the preparation of a revised INPR." The USACE will keep ADEC advised of progress. Grant Lidren
5/18/2020 Update or Other Action DEC contacted by Sundance Consulting regarding a NALEMPF project in this area. DEC provided comments to a work plan for some limited sampling soil and surface water near the landfill to determine if tribal lands are impacted. Janice Wiegers
7/19/2022 Update or Other Action Contacted Army Corps of Engineers for update. A Project Inventory is underway and is expected to be completed in the next fiscal year. Janice Wiegers

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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