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Site Report: Tin City White Alice Site

Site Name: Tin City White Alice Site
Address: ~1 Mile North of LRRS, Look for Antenna Arrays, Wales, AK 99783
File Number: 475.38.012
Hazard ID: 857
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 65.558600
Longitude: -167.948100
Horizontal Datum:

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

6.3 acre IRP site identified in 1989. Preliminary assessment indicated further investigation was warranted. PCBs found in concrete floor of transformer room in transmitter building and in surface soils outside; suspected in other buildings as well. 1980 850-gallon diesel fuel spill with no reported cleanup. 4 fuel tanks located at site. Asbestos containing material was detected in all buildings. Extent of contamination and threat to human health unknown. Located 7000' NE of Tin City Airport. No roads to site. 1 mile from Tin City AFS. Land transferred to Navy 1978 from Air Force. Abandoned site-decommissioned in 1975. Soils poorly drained with moderate permeability. Surface water drainage from site flows to Cape Creek. According to the Navy Relative Risk Evaluation Worksheet dated 10/18/95, "as of 1993 one permanent resident was living at the trading post" (1.5 miles south of the site) "and 7 nonmilitary personnel were on duty at the AFS. It is unlikely that any of these people visit the site and it is unknown if natives pass through the site." The site is assigned a LOW rank on the Navy Relative Risk Evaluation Worksheet.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
7/16/1989 Preliminary Assessment Approved Navy preliminary assessment identified potential contaminants PCBs and petroleum hydrocarbons in soil. Noted substation of Building 1001 has floor contaminated with PCBs. Local miners drink water from Cape Creek, a potential receptor for PCBs. 3 wipe samples collected within substation found 0.141 - 2.211 mg PCBs. Noted 850 gallon diesel spill from 1980 - no known cleanup. 4 abandoned fuel tanks drained in 1984. Former Staff
6/25/1991 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). URS Consultants conducted inventory, diagrams and photos of station. Former Staff
10/24/1991 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). URS Consultants produced Final Project Work Plan and Site Inspection Report for Navy. Propose 1992 sampling for PCBs with wipe samples at buildings with suspected and confirmed PCB contamination and soil sampling outside Building 1001. Former Staff
11/27/1991 Site Added to Database PCB and petroleum contaminated soils. Former Staff
12/12/1991 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). Reviewed workplan for summer 1992 and requested additional testing for diesel range petroleum hydrocarbons at old spill site and PCB sediment analysis at drinking water source, Cape Creek. Laura Noland
12/31/1991 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Attempted ranking - not enough data. Wait for additional data from summer 1992 site investigation. Former Staff
2/18/1993 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC facilitated meeting between Navy, Air Force, and Army Corps of Engineers to plan cooperative work at co-located sites such as NARL and POW Main Dewline and Wales, Tin City, and Saint Lawrence Island. Former Staff
3/17/1993 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). ADEC received Draft Site Investigation Report for White Alice, Tin City and Naval Field Station, Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska dated 3/4/93 and conducted by URS Consultants for the Navy. Former Staff
3/23/1993 Interim Removal Action Approved ADEC requested Navy place warning signs in both English and local dialect to warn residents of PCB contamination in and outside building. Laura Noland
4/7/1993 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Rranked site based on latest report. Ranking = 34. Laura Noland
4/14/1993 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = CORR - Correspondence (General)). Completed review of Draft Site Inspection Report and sent comments. Requested that Navy incorporate CERCLA PCB sampling which found PCB soil contamination outside of building. Navy maintains PCB contamination is only in building. Laura Noland
4/14/1993 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). ADEC provided comments regarding Draft Site Inspection Report. Informed Navy that the Air Force sampling for PCB at same site detected PCBs at higher concentration than Navy reported. Requested that Air Force analytical data be included in final report. Laura Noland
5/19/1993 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = CORR - Correspondence (General)). Navy sent ADEC letter stating their intentions to install warning signs, ground cover for dioxin contaminated areas at Naval Field Station, and to secure buildings at Tin City. Laura Noland
5/24/1993 Interim Removal Action Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = SC - Site Control (Emergency Response)). ADEC provided comments regarding Navy proposal to provide warning signs lettered in the native dialect at Naval field Station, Tin City and Saint Lawrence. Laura Noland
9/8/1993 Interim Removal Action Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = SC - Site Control (Emergency Response)). Met with Navy representative who completed cap cover over dioxin contaminated soils at Wales, boarded buildings at Tin City and NE Cape, and erected signs at all three sites. Community meetings were held and fact sheets distributed. Laura Noland
10/8/1993 Site Characterization Report Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Received Final Site Inspection Report for White Alice Site, Tin City, and Naval Field Station, Cape Price Of Wales dated September 27, 1993. Laura Noland
3/21/1997 Update or Other Action Site updated by Shannon and Wilson, based on the Navy Relative Risk Evaluation Worksheet dated 10/18/95. S&W
7/9/1997 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC staff Stephens and Navy representative met with Bering Straits Native Corporation in Nome to provide information on plans for investigation at the site. Tamar Stephens
7/9/1997 Update or Other Action ADEC staff Stephens did site inspection with Navy and Navy contractor preparatory to initiation of investigation to support risk assessment. Tamar Stephens
7/10/1997 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC staff Stephens and Navy representative informally met with a few representatives from Wales Native Corporation. Provided information on upcoming investigation and obtained some information on subsistence uses near the site. Tamar Stephens
7/14/1997 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Assessment Scoping Meeting. Tamar Stephens
8/22/1997 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Approved sampling and analysis plan; focus on bulk fuel tank area, piping, garage, and soil in the vicinity of the composite building. Also will investigate nearby drainages for off-site migration. Tamar Stephens
8/27/1997 Meeting or Teleconference Held Public meeting in Wales. ADEC staff Stephens, Navy staff attended. Tamar Stephens
9/18/1997 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC staff Stephens met with Navy representative for verbal update on sampling results. Tamar Stephens
10/30/1997 Update or Other Action Received Preliminary Assessment from EPA: hrs score does not rank on NPL, therefore no further action under EPA. Tamar Stephens
2/20/1998 Update or Other Action Risk Assessment Work Plan comment resolution teleconference with Navy and Hart-Crowser (Navy's contractor). Included resolution of subsistence exposure parameters and pathways, screening for soil, surface water, and groundwater, and background sampling. Tamar Stephens
5/5/1998 Meeting or Teleconference Held Public meeting in Wales. ADEC staff Stephens, Navy staff attended. Tamar Stephens
9/10/1998 Meeting or Teleconference Held Public meeting in Wales. ADEC staff Stephens, Navy staff attended. Tamar Stephens
2/24/1999 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting in Nome regarding cleanup levels, cleanup plans. Participants: ADEC staff (Stephens), representatives from Navy, Navy contractor, Bering Straits Native Corp, Wales Native Corp, City of Wales, Wales IRA. Tamar Stephens
3/7/1999 Update or Other Action Stephens briefed Section Manager Jennifer Roberts on Proposed Plan and Risk Assessment. Tamar Stephens
3/8/1999 Update or Other Action Risk Assessment comment resolution teleconference with Navy and their contractor. Tamar Stephens
3/24/1999 Proposed Plan Proposed Plan approved. Proposed removal of PCB-contaminated soil and concrete; excavation and treatment of petroleum-contaminated soil from bulk fuel area. Tamar Stephens
3/24/1999 Risk Assessment Report Approved Risk Assessment was approved. Risk assessment determined that PCBs and PAH benzo(a)pyrene in soil posed human health risks. Tamar Stephens
7/20/1999 Cleanup Plan Approved Work Plan approved for removal of PCB-contaminated soil and concrete; excavation and treatment of petroleum-contaminated soil with HAVE(hot air vapor extraction) system in Wales. Tamar Stephens
9/15/1999 Update or Other Action Conducted site inspection at conclusion of cleanup project. Tamar Stephens
1/14/2000 Update or Other Action Review of draft Closure Report – Removal Action to Support Site Closure, White Alice Site, Tin City, Alaska. Action added by Sarah Riddle. Tamar Stephens
4/5/2000 Update or Other Action Approval of Closeout Report – Removal Action to Support Site Closure, White Alice Site, Tin City, Alaska. Site closure will occur when Navy and DEC jointly sign Record of Decision. Tamar Stephens
1/10/2002 Update or Other Action Current status: No Record of Decision document has been submitted by the Navy. Navy also did not do a proposed plan, so will need to public notice a proposed closure before site can be closed. Tamar Stephens
9/25/2002 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Checked the Multiple Sources Checkbox. Former Staff
9/8/2004 Update or Other Action Received draft Decision Document from Navy Tamar Stephens
12/22/2004 Update or Other Action Sent review letter on draft Decision Document. Needs substantial revisions. The navy had established cleanup levels for non-residential future use, but propoerty has now been returned to public domina and sold to a private citizen. The letter informed the Navy that they could reevaluate risks from remaining PCBs to determine whether they meet residential standards, or do more site cleanup, or establish institutional controls. Tamar Stephens
12/28/2004 Update or Other Action DEC risk assessor Lindsay Smith evaluated remaining PCBs and determined that mean concentration at 95% upper condfidence level meets the 1 mg/kg residential standard. DEC staff Stephens discussed with the Navy, and Decision Document will include this information. Tamar Stephens
11/14/2005 Record of Decision Decision document, titled "Environmental Cleanup Decision Document - Former White Alice Site, Tin City, Alaska" was signed by DEC on November 14, 2005. Navy signed on 10/27/05. Decision Document shows that final cleanup, conducted in 1999, meets requirements both for a risk-based cleanup level for PCBs to protect ecological receptors, current method 2 cleanup level of 1 mg/kg PCBs for future residential, and maximum allowable levels for diesel range and benzo(a)pyrene. Tamar Stephens
11/14/2005 Site Closure Approved Site closed concurrent with signing of Decision Document. Tamar Stephens

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
For more information about this site, contact DEC at (907) 465-5390.

Control Type

Type Details
No ICs Required

Requirements

Description Details
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

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