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Site Report: St. George TPA 09 Old Power Plant

Site Name: St. George TPA 09 Old Power Plant
Address: St. George, Saint George, AK 99591
File Number: 2643.38.015
Hazard ID: 2203
Status: Cleanup Complete - Institutional Controls
Staff: Shonda Oderkirk, 9074512881 shonda.oderkirk@alaska.gov
Latitude: 56.602609
Longitude: -169.549145
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.

Problems/Comments

Reportedly in use from 1936 to 1963 and housed several transformers. Residents stated that transformer oil and crankcase oil disposed of at the northeast corner of the building. The site included 11 aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) used to store diesel fuel, gasoline, and lubricating oil as well as a wood-framed building that contained the generators. Reportedly, fuel was supplied to the ASTs from drums staged at the Former Fuel Storage Area (TPA Site 18), located south of the site. A pipeline was used to transport the fuel via gravity from the Former Fuel Storage Area to the ASTs at the site. Contaminated soil was removed to the maximum extent practicable, no further remedial action is necessary. Covered by 1996 Pribilof Islands Environmental Restoration Agreement a.k.a. Two Party Agreement between State of Alaska and NOAA. Also referred to as Cottage G/Old Power Plant St. George Tanaq Corporation and The Aleut Corporation (TAC) owners. Lot 14 Tract 43. Former ADEC project Manager was Ray Dronenburg up to April 5, 1999. FAC ID 3047 Tanks 1 and 2 In 2006, DEC conducted Phase I and Phase II ESAs as part of its DEC Brownfield Assessment program. This was part of an investigation of five facilities on St. George Island for environmental hindrances to redevelopment goals. See also Old Power Plant, Saint George (Cottage G), RecKey No. 2006250913802, Brownfield File No. 2643.57.001.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
1/1/1964 Update or Other Action Prior to the 1930s, the Old Power Plant (OPP) was the site of a small "powder house" inititially constructed around 1917 (U.S. Naval Radio Station 1917). The powder house was likely used for the storage of blasting powder, explosives, or ammunition until approximately 1921 when it was demolished after a new building was constructed for the storage of dynamite at a different site (U.S. Bureau of Fisheries (USBF) 1921). The OPP, situated within Tract 65 in the City of St. George, was constructed and initially outfitted in 1936 with additional commissioning and equipment installation completed in 1937. The OPP was used to generate electricity using diesel powered generators and to provide cold storage until approximately 1963. The OPP included 11 ASTs used to store diesel fuel, gasoline, and lubricating oil as well as a wood framed building that contained generators. The ASTs were located on wooden platforms along the west and southwest sides of the OPP building. Reportedly, fuel was supplied to the ASTs from drums staged at the Former Fuel Storage Area (TPA 13) located south of the OPP. A pipeline was used to transport the fuel via gravity from the Former Fuel Storage Area to the ASTs (Scheffer 1948). By 1964, electrirc generating operations were moved to the Active Power Plant (TPA 8), and the OPP was phased out of operation (Bureau of Commercial Fisheries 1964). Local reports indicate that past operations at the OPP included the discharge of transformer and crankcase oil onto the ground near the north side of the OPP building. Currently the OPP building known locally as Cottage G, is vacant. Ray Dronenburg
12/31/1992 Update or Other Action In October 1992, Ecology and Environment (E&E) conducted a preliminary assessment of various sites on St. George Island, including the Old Power Plant (OPP). Findings from this investigation indicated that aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) had been removed from the OPP during the 1960s. Louis Howard
5/13/1993 Meeting or Teleconference Held Pribilof Island Conference minutes from meeting held in Anchorage. Explanation of Item #42 on the Preliminary Assessment which is the Old Power House site. According to contractor, the only thing found there is piping associated with the City's septic/sewage system. Current understanding is that the site is not a NOAA concern. Ray Dronenburg
8/11/1994 Update or Other Action ADEC S. Mawson sent letter to Sharon Lundin NOAA regarding the Former NMFS facilities on Saint George Island. ADEC traveled with NOAA, their consultant, Tanaq Corp. and City of Saint George and their consultant to jointly identify all of the known sites which must be evaluated for remediation in order for Department of Commerce, on behalf of the Federal Government, to comply with State of Alaska statutes and regulations. We also agreed in principal on a sampling protocol. NOAA staff appeared unaware that heating fuel spills associated with underground storage tanks (USTs) were the responsibility of the Federal Government in spite of the fact that the tanks were installed by the Federal Government. Additionally, the fuel used to fill the tanks was owned by the Federal Government and the Federal Government used the tanks during the course of the Federal Government managed fur seal harvest. Our regulations are clear about responsibility for fuel spills. NOAA staff were also unaware of their responsibility for waste debris. Some of that debris includes vehicles that were brought to Saint George from Amchitka Island, the site of an underground thermonuclear detonation in the 1970s. Our law are also clear about responsibility for these materials. That responsibility remains with the Federal Government. One other outstanding issue was the condition of the drum dump that is buried in the elementary school playground (TPA 7). NOAA staff disputed the claims of residents that the site has been used for waste disposal and suggested that drums have been carefully placed for slope stability. Although the site had been covered forty years ago, one drum was uncovered (through 4 test holes) that was clearly labeled to have leaded gasoline and the owner's name was the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There was evidence that some of the drums were laid out in an orderly manner, although disposal or use of the drums in this way by the Federal Government is unacceptable. The last test hole at the elementary school, however, confirmed that refuse had indeed been buried at this site. Among other items excavated was a test tube, similar to those used for blood samples, indicating that medical waste may also have been disposed of in this dump. The presence of this buried refuse and the possible biohazards associated with it are particularly disturbing in an elementary school playground. ADEC is awaiting NOAA's formal response to the July 20, 1994 Notice of Violation letter and if that response conforms to the commitments made on Saint George, then it should be satisfactory. Simon Mawson
8/19/1994 Update or Other Action Letter from NOAA WASC to Janice Adair regarding former National Marine Fisheries Service Facility, Saint George Island response to July 20, 1994 NOV Letter. 1) Name and Agency affiliation of the person answering. Sharon L. Lundin, Chief, Facilities and Logistics Division, Western Administrative Support Center (WASC), Seattle Washington. WASC is a field component of NOAA's Office of Administration, which provides administrative services to Department of Commerce offices located in 10 western states, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Trust Territories. This office is undertaking cleanup on the Pribilof Islands on behalf of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2) Copies of all written material describing known spills or releases, or stored hazardous substances or solid waste disposal areas at the site, and a description of corrective measures that were taken. Information on any suspected releases which may have occurred or are occurring. To NOAA's knowledge, there is no historical written material addressing these topics. Sharon Lundin and her staff have reviewed to date many thousands of pages of archived material on operations on Saint George Island, including daily logs of the Island Manager and have found nothing at all. All of these materials were written prior to 1984. We are continuing to search for additional records. Current records, generated through this office, include February 1993 Preliminary Assessment (PA) covering both islands, Woodward-Clyde March 31, 1994 Phase 1B Environmental Assessment Report done after the drum cleanup work last year (1993), which ADEC indicated to have reviewed. NOAA enclosed an additional copy of the PA. It should be noted that few new sites, identified the first week of August by the village residents, are not reflected in these reports. 3) History of land uses on the property, nature of past present federal operations, any actions that may have caused a release or threat of release of hazardous substances. Describe the physical characteristics of current or former federal facilities including major structures, water wells, fuel or waste storage systems, drainage systems, and solid waste disposal areas. Attachment A is a summary of Pribilof history and NMFS operations. A copy of the document nominating both Islands as a National Historical Preservation District is included, which gives information on the major structures. A map identifying water wells and solid waste disposal areas insofar as we know them is included in the PA. NOAA does not have the as-builts of any structures on Saint George, or of underground piping systems. It has recently come to NOAA's attention that Indian Health Service may have some additional information about the wells and landfill; we have not had the staff resources necessary to research this yet. During a August 2-4, 1994 site visit, NOAA, City of Saint George, ADEC came to a consensus on a comprehensive sampling plan for all sites on the Island including a few new sites recently identified by residents. As soon as it is finalized and approved by ADEC, NOAA will do the sampling in mid-late September 1994. One of the new sites identified was PCB-filled transformers located next to the schoolyard. NOAA will be removing them and disposing of the wastes in the same time period that sampling is conducted, when NOAA has staff on the island. Janice Adair
6/1/1995 Site Added to Database Transformer and crankcase oil. Ray Dronenburg
5/3/1996 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Ranked by Shannon and Wilson. S&W
6/30/1996 Update or Other Action 1996 Hart Crowser Expanded Site Inspection Saint Paul Island received. Tract 41 (now Tract 46), The Active Power Plant (TPA 8) has diesel range organics up to 7,600 mg/kg, residual range organics to 5,200 mg/k, PCB/Pesticides to 41 mg/kg, Toluene, ethylbenzene, and total xylenes to 41 mg/kg, with a estimated total volume of soils exceeding Level B criteria to be 6,800 cubic yards. The former power plant has DRO to 4,100 mg/kg, RRO to 3,100 mg/kg, with a total estimated volume exceeding level B criteria to be 170 cubic yards. Recommendations for the active power plant (TPA 8) was a combination of in-situ bioventing and excavate/removal of contaminated soils. The inactive power plant recommendations were to excavate and remove "accessible" soil. The old power plant has detected on September 27, 1995, a potential archeological find in hand auger HA-27 (bone fragments) 2.5 feet below ground surface and pre-1900 artifacts: ceramics, bottles, leather, seal bones, etc., was found in test pit TP-10 which may extend under the Post Office building to HA-27 50 feet away. Based on the consultant's observations, the artifacts do not appear to extend up the slope located west of the Post Office and no artifacts were observed in HA-14 and HA-15. The State Office of History and Archaeology, the community and other agencies with jurisdiction or interest should be consulted prior to performing additional work in the area. Excavation plans for the area should include a contingency plan should artifacts be further encountered. Louis Howard
1/30/1997 Update or Other Action Hart Crowser January 1997 Expanded Site Inspection received. Surface and subsurface soil samples were taken to assess potential contamination from past practices. Based on field lab analytical results indicate exceedances of ADEC NON-UST matrix cleanup levels at this site. Recommendations were to excavate and remove soils. DRO detected in soil up to 3,700 mg/kg and RRO in surface sample SS-3 at 13,000 mg/kg. PCB sampling was limited to 4 samples. Louis Howard
2/27/1997 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Review of UST Closure Site Assessment Reports. In certain cases, contamination related to UST system integrity or UST usage was identified. In those cases where contamination was identified, but corrective action to remove the petroleum contaminated soil (PCS) was unsuccessful, State regulations require a release investigation to determine the extent of contamination, followed by corrective action to remediate the affected area. It should be noted that very little investigation was performed during the UST system removal actions to determine if groundwater was impacted by the releases. A groundwater investigation will be necessary as part of the release investigation to determine if it has been impacted and if so, to what extent. In cases where contaminated soil was stockpiled, NOAA should include a stockpile treatment and disposal plan for inclusion in the release investigation and corrective action work plans. Until disposal, the stockpiles should remain covered and access should be limited as much as possible to avoid accidental spills. Old Power Plant Area-Facility ID # 3048 Tank 4: Diesel contamination remains in the soil in the area near this former UST, closed in place with ADEC approval on June 23, 1997. Levels of DRO at 7,400 mg/kg remain in place in that location. ADEC understands that this tank will be removed from the ground and a closure site assessment performed when the overlying structure is demolished. As with the other UST systems reviewed in this letter, further investigation and corrective action will be necessary. Lynne Bush
11/12/1998 Update or Other Action Status of TPA Site Number 9 OU 4. Renegotiated. Phase II draft work plan due March 29, 1999. Final work plan due April 26, 1999. Phase II site work will require determination of petroleum contamination extent, remediation of any PCS, confirmation sampling and analysis, site assessment, and site restoration. Monthly progress report to be submitted to ADEC after project award until site closure. Flow chart attached for confirmation sampling and applicable to all TPA sites. Definition of a site assessment attached also and is applicable to all TPA sites. Site restoration is defined as one or more of the following actions dependent on each TPA site, existing site use, intended post restoration use: Recontouring, regrading, soil or scoria addition or removal, wind/water erosion control, and revegetation. Ray Dronenburg
4/7/1999 Meeting or Teleconference Held Restoration Advisory Board Meeting held at the Captain Cook Hotel. Risk based cleanup under Alaska cleanup rules: 18 AAC 75 Methods 1, 2, 3, 4 presented. Public Law 104-91 as it pertains to community issues and concerns related to cleanup and local hire, NOAA organizational chart, accounting of budget for all funds received, uses of the funds requested again by ADEC as was presented in 1/6/999 letter to NOAA was discussed at the RAB meeting. Finally discussed projects planned for the future at the Pribilofs, how clean is clean and whether or not community buy in is required to assign a no further remedial action required or closure of sites for either island. Ray Dronenburg announced that as of April 5, 1999 he is no longer the project manager for the site, Louis Howard is the new project manager for ADEC. Ray Dronenburg
5/11/1999 Update or Other Action ADEC (L. Dietrick) Director of SPAR sent a letter to Mr. John Lindsay Pribilof Project Manager NOAA, OR&R, Bldg. 4 7600 Sand Point Way, N.E. Seattle, Washington 98115: As required by paragraph 42 of the Two-Party Agreement you are advised that Mr. Louis Howard is hereby designated as Interim Pribilof Project Manager for the Department of Environmental Conservation. Please consider this modification to the agreement as effective May 15, 1999. As required by the agreement please direct all official communications regarding the agreement through Mr. Howard. Louis Howard
9/10/1999 Update or Other Action Letter from Jennifer Roberts which states that ADEC is halting further accrual of stipulated penalties against NOAA for failure to fulfill and meet the requirements of the Pribilof Islands Environmental Restoration Agreement in 1998 and part of calendar year 1999. Action entered by L. Howard. Jennifer Roberts
12/10/1999 Update or Other Action Revised site schedules received to prevent recurring stipulated penalties. Site characterization plan to be reviewed and commented on by ADEC on 2/15/2000. Contractor to mobilize in field in July 2000. Louis Howard
4/11/2001 Update or Other Action Staff sent NOAA comment letter on TPA 2001 proposed schedules. These proposed revisions to Attachment B of the Pribilof Islands Environmental Restoration Agreement (TPA) are being reviewed under the Modification clause (section 82) of the TPA. Section 82 provides “Modifications, extensions, and/or actions taken pursuant to 6-13 (Review and Comment on Documents); 14-17 (Subsequent Modification); 41 (Briefings and Progress Reports); 50-53 (Sampling and Data/Document Availability); 63-65 (Extensions/Force Majeure) and Attachment B may be effected by the agreement of the Project Managers.” ADEC approves the new schedule with two exceptions: 1) the schedule for the sites which NOAA has identified as “formerly used defense sites” (FUDS) and, 2) the schedule does not include projected work for many of the sites in calendar year 2002 and beyond. 1) FUDS. With respect to the sites that NOAA has identified as FUDS sites, ADEC does not have sufficient information at this time to make a determination of whether the schedule for these sites should be extended under the force majeure provisions of section 66 of the TPA because of a lack of funding to NOAA due to the appropriation restrictions in Public Law 106-52 (Pribilof Island Transition Act). In order make this determination, ADEC requests that NOAA submit reports and associated supporting data from the investigation and other work performed at the TPA sites or the portions of those sites NOAA is identifying as FUDS sites. ADEC requests that NOAA also submit maps and location descriptions of those TPA sites or portions thereof that NOAA believes are FUDS sites. ADEC will then seek a determination by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers whether it concurs that theses are FUDS sites and whether the Corps will reopen the sites based upon the new information prepared by NOAA. 2) Long-term schedule beyond calendar year 2001. NOAA’s cover letter accompanying the Project Schedules states that “while a limited number of the schedules go into calendar year 2002, most are not projected beyond 2001 because of the near constant shifting of priorities and the project’s dependence on future appropriations which make such projections meaningless at this time.” While ADEC understands the need to readjust priorities given new information, it is important to establish reasonable long-term schedules for needed work based upon current information. Given that the TPA is premised upon NOAA’s obligation to seek adequate future appropriations to accomplish needed work under the agreement (section 66) it is important that NOAA develop for ADEC’s concurrence a long-term schedule. As you know under section 81, we can adjust the long-term schedule in light of the results of future site investigation and clean-up work. Accordingly, ADEC requests that NOAA develop a long-term schedule for the work contemplated by the TPA given current information at the sites. Louis Howard
7/24/2001 Site Number Identifier Changed Changed Workplan from 01 to 09 to account for presence of hazardous substances on the site. Louis Howard
11/30/2001 Update or Other Action In 2001, Tetra Tech conducted a site characterization at TPA 18 Former Fuel Storage Area, which included the collection of surface and subsurface soil samples within an area which later included TPA site 9. Analytical data for this investigation indicated the presence of DRO and lead at concentrations above cleanup levels established by ADEC. Louis Howard
6/30/2003 Update or Other Action In June 2003, NOAA advanced soil borings in the vicinity of the OPP to investigate local reports of waste oil discharges from a transformer formerly located on the north side of the OPP. Analytical data for soil samples collected during this investigation revealed the presence of DRO at concentrations above the ADEC Method Two cleanup levels. PCBs were not detected. An active fuel oil AST in corroded condition was observed along the north side of the OPP building in the vicinity of thye transformer's former location during this investigation. Louis Howard
9/17/2003 Update or Other Action Staff reviewed and commented on the draft corrective action plan. Staff requested clarification regarding the detection level for PCBs and that ADEC cleanup levels are based on total PCBs and not aroclors. Staff also commented on the sampling and analysis plan. There is not a residential or commercial cleanup level for PCBs in ADEC regulations. Louis Howard
11/30/2003 Update or Other Action In October 2003, NOAA and Tetra Tech representatives identified weathered diesel fuel along the steep slope to the northwest of the OPP building. In addition, the following items were documented: an abandoned septic tank; an manhole cover; a wood drainage trough; and a cliffside discharge point for the abandoned transite sewere pipe and wood drainage trough. Louis Howard
5/18/2004 Cleanup Plan Approved The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (the Department) received the Draft Corrective Action Plan on May 17, 2004. The Department has reviewed the plan and will approve it as a final version. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is responsible for the actions of contractors, agents, or other persons who perform work to accomplish the approved plan. For any activity that significantly deviates from the approved plan, it shall notify the Department to obtain written approval in the form of a work plan amendment before beginning the activity. Any action taken by NOAA or an agent of NOAA that increases the project's overall scope or that negates, alters, or minimizes the intent or effectiveness of any stipulation contained in this plan will be deemed a significant deviation from the approved plan. The final determination as to the significance of any deviation and the need for an amendment is the responsibility of the Department. Louis Howard
12/31/2004 Long Term Monitoring Established From 2001 to 2004, Tetra Tech conducted evaluations of groundwater in the vicinity of the OPP. The evaluations indicate that groundwater beneath the OPP generally flows to the northwest and is tidally influenced. Analytical data collected during this time indicated that DRO concentrations have exceeded the ADEC Table C cleanup criteria of 1.5 milligrams per liter in the perched non-tidally influenced groundwater found in monitorig well TPA9-MW1A; however, contaminant levels were below ADEC cleanup criteria in tidally influenced groundwater in monitoring wells: TPA9-MW1, TPA9-MW2, TPA18-MW1, and TPA18-MW2. Louis Howard
6/15/2005 GIS Position Updated NOAA report stated geo-reference data. Louis Howard
8/29/2005 Update or Other Action NOAA submits the final long-term groundwater monitoring plan which addresses 47 wells installed on St. George Island to gather information critical to environmental investigations and remediation planning pursuant to a Two Party Agreement (TPA) between National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). Groundwater studies utilizing these wells provide data on contaminant concentration, fate, and transport at island locations where past government operations contributed to the contamination of the site. In the future, a select number of these wells will be needed for gauging the long-term effectiveness of remedial actions, to monitor for contaminant plume migration, and for utilization during free-phase petroleum product (free product) removal activities. However, monitoring wells also pose a liability by providing a potential conduit for introducing contaminants to groundwater, and by impeding use of the land around them. Therefore, wells that are not needed by NOAA for long-term groundwater monitoring or free product removal will be decommissioned in accordance with applicable ADEC requirements. Monitoring wells addressed by this plan are located in the vicinity of the City of St. George (the City). Twenty-five of the 47 wells will be retained, and 22 will be decommissioned. Ten of the retained wells will be used to monitor for the migration of free product plumes located in the industrial and waterfront areas of the City. The remaining 15 retained wells will be used, as needed, for free product removal or process water injection during remediation of the plumes; they may also be used for monitoring of contaminant trends once remedial efforts have been completed. As future remedial actions progress, NOAA may decommission a number of these retained wells if it is determined that they are not required for free product removal or long-term monitoring. Wells used for monitoring for free product plume migration (sentinel wells) will be sampled semiannually for five years beginning in Fiscal Year 2006 (subject to funding availability); thereafter NOAA will evaluate the data and submit a recommendation to ADEC for further sampling or closure. Water samples will be analyzed for contaminants known to be present in the City area groundwater aquifer. This plan addresses 47 groundwater-monitoring wells located in the vicinity of the City of St. George (the City) that NOAA installed to evaluate the nature and extent of groundwater contamination at 13 TPA sites (Figure 1-2). These sites are: • TPA Site 1 (Former Diesel Tank Farm) • TPA Site 2 (Former Drum Storage Area) • TPA Site 3 (Inactive Gas Station) • TPA Site 6 (Open Pits Site) • TPA Site 7 (Ballfield/Former Landfill) • TPA Site 8 (Active Power Plant) • TPA Site 9 (Old Power Plant) • TPA Site 11 (Cottage C UST) Appendix II 991 • TPA Site 18 (Former Fuel Storage Area) • TPA Site 22-1 (School UST) • TPA Site 22-3 (Shop/Store UST) • TPA Site 23 (Abandoned Diesel Tank Farm) • TPA Site 24 (Inactive Gas Tank Farm) NOAA has completed soil remediation activities at all the above sites except TPA Site 1 and TPA Site 2 (Figure 1-3). NOAA conducted groundwater sampling in September/October 2001, October 2002, August 2003, November 2003, January 2004, and May 2004 at wells shown in Figures 2-1 and 2-2. Groundwater samples were analyzed for diesel range organics (DRO), gasoline range organics (GRO), volatile organics (VOC), semi-volatile organics (SVOC) and metals. NOAA anticipates excavating petroleum-contaminated soil (PCS) at TPA Sites 1 and 2 during the 2006 field season, subject to funding availability. In 2006, NOAA will also begin remediation of free-phase petroleum product plumes (free product), located in the vicinities of TPA Site 1 and TPA Site 8, subject to funding availability. Detailed information on island geology, hydrogeology, and groundwater sampling results for these sites can be found in Tetra Tech EM Inc.’s (Tetra Tech) Final Field Investigation Report, Pribilof Islands Environmental Restoration Project, St. George Island, Alaska. Louis Howard
9/15/2005 Update or Other Action Formal Conditional Closure Request for Old Power Plant-TPA site no. 9 NOAA Site no. 9. Location: St. George Island, Alaska is approximately 800 miles southwest of Anchorage in the Bering Sea. TPA Site 9 is in the northwestern portion of the City of St. George at 56° 36’ 9.53’’ N latitude, 169° 32’ 56.31” W longitude. Legal Property Description: TPA Site 9 is in Lot 3 of Tract 43, Section 29, Township 41 South, Range 129 West, of the Seward Meridian, Alaska, as shown on the plat of the Qawax Subdivision, officially filed October 31, 1985. Excavation of contaminated soil extended to the southwest of Lot 3 into Lot 2 (Figure 2). St. George Tanaq Corporation owns the site. The south excavation extended southwesterly from the southwest portion of the OPP building and was bordered to the northwest by the active sewer line, to the northeast by the OPP building, and to the southeast by Zapadni Road. Depths of excavation in this area varied from approximately 1 foot below ground surface (bgs) in the southwest portion to 10 feet bgs closer to the OPP building. Refusal was encountered throughout the area because of bedrock and large boulders. The northwest excavation extended from north of the OPP building to the southwest, and was bordered to the north by a cliff and to the southeast by the active sewer line. Depths of excavation in this area varied from 1 to 5 feet bgs. Refusal was encountered throughout the excavation because of bedrock and large boulders. In addition, excavation in the northernmost portion of this area was limited because of erosion and stability concerns associated with the cliff that slopes steeply down to the Bering Sea. The northeast excavation extended along the north and east sides of the OPP building. This area was bordered to the south and west by the OPP building, to the north by the active sewer line and to the east by Zapadni Road. Depths of excavation in this area varied from 1.5 to 3 feet bgs. Refusal was encountered throughout the excavation because of bedrock and large boulders. Most remaining soil contamination at TPA Site 9 exists in concentrations well below the ADEC inhalation and ingestion criteria, and only moderately above the migration to groundwater criterion. Various obstructions make further excavation of contaminated soil impracticable. Groundwater sampling has indicated that perched groundwater (approximately 10 ft bgs, Tetra Tech 2003) in the area has been impacted by DRO; the main groundwater aquifer has not been contaminated. Potential future impact to groundwater has been mitigated with the excavation of approximately 1,230 cubic yards of PCS. Recommended Action: In accordance with paragraph 59 of the Two Party Agreement (NOAA 1996), NOAA requests written confirmation that NOAA completed all appropriate and corrective action, to the maximum extent practicable, at the Old Power Plant, TPA Site 9/NOAA Site 9 in accordance with the Agreement and that ADEC grant a conditional closure not requiring further remedial action from NOAA. NOAA understands ADEC will/may require additional containment, investigation, or cleanup if subsequent information indicates that the level of contamination that remains does not protect human health, safety, or welfare, or the environment. Louis Howard
9/22/2005 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued Soil has been removed to the maximum extent practicable. Groundwater monitoring shows contamination present in perched groundwater from residual contaminants present in the soil however the deeper groundwater zone has not been impacted above Table C concentrations. Monitoring is ongoing. Louis Howard
9/22/2005 Institutional Control Record Established In the event that the remaining contaminated soil becomes accessible by the removal of the soil located in the vicinity of the Old Power Plant TPA 9, the land owner and/or operator will be required under 18 AAC 75.300 to notify the Department. Also, any transport or disposal of contaminated soil excavated from the site requires approval from the Department in accordance with 18 AAC 75.325(i). Louis Howard
10/8/2007 GIS Position Updated GIS location updated based on DEC's Arc GIS. Sonja Benson
8/11/2008 Update or Other Action Notice of Environmental Cleanup and Residual Soil Contamination at TPA Site no. 9. Pursuant to 18 AAC 75.375, the St. George Community Council as the owner, and the U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as the operator of the subject property hereby provide public notice that property on the west and north sides of the Old Power Plant, otherwise known as Cottage G, in the City of St. George, St George Island, Alaska 99591 is contaminated with petroleum products. More specifically, the property is described as follows: Lot 2, Tract 43 Section 29, Township 41 South, Range 129 West, of the Seward Meridian, Alaska. 56 degrees 36' 9.44" North Latitude, 169 degrees 32' 55.89" West Longitude This property, hereafter referred to as Site 9, has been subject to petroleum contaminated soil from a discharge, or release and subsequent cleanup of oil or other hazardous substances, regulated under 18 AAC 75, Article 3 as amended December 2006. Adequate soil cover needs to be maintained over the residual petroleum contaminated soil. If contaminated soil is exposed in the future, it must be managed in accordance with laws applicable at that time. This site was identified as Site 9, Old Power Plant pursuant to the Pribilof Islands Environmental Restoration Two Parly Agreement (TPA) between the State of Alaska and NOAA (NOAA 1996). NOAA addressed the property as TPA Site 9 and NOAA Site 9. Following corrective action, NOAA submitted a request for conditional closure for Site 9 to the ADEC Division of Spill Prevention and Response, Contaminated Sites Program (NOAA 2005a). ADEC determined, in accordance with 18 AAC 75.325(1)(1), that Site 9 cleanup has been performed to the maximum extent practicable even though residual petroleum-contaminated soils remained on the property (NOAA 2005a). ADEC granted a conditional closure, in part subject to this institutional control (deed notice), and confirmed that no further remedial action was required at the site unless new information becomes available that indicates to ADEC that the site may pose an unacceptable risk to human health, safety, welfare or the environment (NOAA 2005a). Grantor: S1. George Tanaq Corporation 4141 B Street, Suite 301 Anchorage, AK 99503 Grantee:St. George Community Council PO Box 940 St. George, AK 99591 Recording District: Aleutian Islands In the event that information becomes available which indicates that the site may pose an unacceptable risk to human health, safety, welfare or the environment, the land owner and/or operator is required under 18 AAC 75.300 to notify ADEC and evaluate the environmental status of the contamination in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Further site characterization and cleanup may be necessary under 18 AAC 75 .325-.390 and 18 AAC 78.600. Also, any transport, treatment, or disposal of any potentially contaminated soil from the site requires notification to and approval from the Department in accordance with AAC 75.370(b) and 18 AAC 78.600(h). This notice remains in effect until a written determination from ADEC is recorded that states that soil at the site has been shown to meet the most stringent soil cleanup levels in Method Two of 18 AAC 75.341 (c) and that off-site transportation of soil is not a concern. Louis Howard
9/20/2008 Update or Other Action The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Pribilof Project Office is responsible for site characterization and restoration on St. George Island, Alaska. Although NOAA has attempted to meet State of Alaska soil cleanup levels and has removed contaminated soil to the maximum extent practicable, residual contamination remains at some St. George Island sites. This report documents the nature of known or potential residual soil and groundwater contamination at NOAA-remediated sites and presents the rationale for leaving the contamination in place. Of thirty-six (36) sites investigated and/or restored by NOAA at St. George Island, the following contaminants are known to remain or potentially may be present in soil and/or groundwater above applicable site cleanup levels: • DRO at 20 sites. • GRO at 5 sites. • RRO at 3 sites. • Benzene at 4 sites. • Toluene at 3 sites. • Ethylbenzene at 4 sites. • Total xylenes at 4 sites. • Perchloroethylene at 2 sites. • Lead at 2 sites. Contaminated soil may have been left in place at sites due to equipment limitations and/or the presence of utility lines, buildings, roads, and other structures. Additionally, NOAA was not obligated to excavate contaminated soil to address the inhalation and ingestion pathways fifteen (15) feet or greater below the ground surface, or at shallower depths when encountering the water table. Buried debris, such as municipal solid waste, also remains at some sites. In such locations, NOAA placed a soil cap over the debris according to State of Alaska requirements. During 2006, NOAA initiated a long-term groundwater monitoring plan at St. George Island to monitor the migration and attenuation of groundwater contamination at NOAA Sites 35 and 36 and to gauge the effectiveness of soil remediation actions at NOAA Sites 1, 2, 3, 8 and 29. Other than acknowledging the presence of groundwater contamination at a site, groundwater is not addressed within the context of this report. In 2004, approximately seventeen (17) yd3 of lead contaminated soil was excavated from the three hot spots, placed in super sacks and subsequently disposed of off-island. Confirmation samples indicated that all lead contamination was removed from the sites. In 2004, approximately 1,230 yd3 of PCS was excavated from around the old power plant building (OPP). Soils with contaminant concentrations above Method Two criteria were removed to the extent practicable; however, excavation efforts were constrained by the OPP’s foundation; an active sewer line located north and west of the OPP; a steep slope located to the north and west of the OPP; and roads to the south and east of the OPP. Excavation depth was limited in areas by dense basaltic bedrock which was encountered as shallow as one foot bgs. Soil contaminated with DRO in concentrations above the Method Two criterion for migration to groundwater remains near buried utilities, adjacent to and beneath the OPP building foundation, abutting a cliff to the north, and at equipment refusal encountered at between 1.5 and four feet bgs. On the north end of the OPP, soil contaminated with DRO in concentrations above Method Two criteria for inhalation and ingestion remains at equipment refusal and adjacent to an active sewer line. Soil contaminated with RRO in concentrations above Method Two criteria for migration to groundwater, inhalation and ingestion remains in one location next to and possibly under the west side OPP foundation. Five monitoring wells were installed in the vicinity of Sites 9 and 18 in 2001 and 2003 to investigate potential contaminant migration to groundwater due to spills at these sites. One of the five wells (TPA9-MW-1A) was inadvertently installed into a shallow perched water zone at 15.5 feet bgs, unconnected to the main fresh water aquifer the rest of the wells penetrated. Groundwater samples were collected from wells TPA9-MW-1, TPA18-MW-1, TPA18-MW-2 from 2001 through 2004; and from well TPA9-MW-2 from 2003 through 2004. Samples were analyzed for DRO, GRO, VOC, SVOC, and metals. Sample analytical results indicated all contaminants were either non-detect or detected at concentrations below ADEC cleanup criteria Louis Howard
9/26/2008 Update or Other Action Summary of Residual Soil Contamination and Buried Solid Wastes at NOAA Cleanup Sites on St. George Island. NOAA Site No. 9/TPA Site No. 9, Old Power Plant Site: contaminated soil, UST/AST/Pipeline. Site Conditions as of August 6, 2008: DRO contaminated soil remains near buried utilities, adjacent to and beneath the Old Power Plant building foundation, abutting a cliff to the north, and at equipment refusal encountered at between 1.5 and 4 feet bgs. RRO remains in an area next to the building foundation on the west side. Deed notice. Site status as of September 26, 2008: NFRAP 09/22/2005 Propery Owners: St. George Community Council. Louis Howard
6/14/2013 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 73181 name: auto-generated pm edit TPA 09 STG Old Power Plant Louis Howard

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
DRO Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil DRO contaminated soil remains near buried utilities, adjacent to and beneath the Old Power Plant building foundation, abutting a cliff to the north, and at equipment refusal encountered at between 1.5 and 4 feet bgs. RRO remains in an area next to the building foundation on the west side.
DRO > Table C Groundwater Groundwater sampling has indicated that perched groundwater (approximately 10 ft bgs, in the area has been impacted by DRO; the main groundwater aquifer has not been contaminated. Potential future impact to groundwater has been mitigated with the excavation of approximately 1,230 cubic yards of PCS.

Control Type

Type Details
CS Database Notation And Letter To Landowner/RP In the event that the remaining contaminated soil becomes accessible by the removal of the soil located in the vicinity of the Old Power Plant TPA 9, the land owner and/or operator will be required under 18 AAC 75.300 to notify the Department. Also, any transport or disposal of contaminated soil excavated from the site requires approval from the Department in accordance with 18 AAC 75.325(i).
Notice of Environmental Contamination Notice of Environmental Cleanup and Residual Soil contamination 2008-000391-0 Recording Dist: 305 8/11/2008. Pursuant to 18 AAC 75.375, the St. George Community Council as the owner, and the U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as the operator of the subject property hereby provide public notice that property on the west and north sides of the Old Power Plant, otherwise known as Cottage G, in the City of St. George, St George Island, Alaska 99591 is contaminated with petroleum products. More specifically, the property is described as follows: Lot 2, Tract 43 Section 29, Township 41 South, Range 129 West, of the Seward Meridian, Alaska. 56 degrees 36' 9.44" North Latitude, 169 degrees 32' 55.89" West Longitude

Requirements

Description Details
Excavation / Soil Movement Restrictions In the event that the remaining contaminated soil becomes accessible by the removal of the soil located in the vicinity of the Old Power Plant TPA 9, the land owner and/or operator will be required under 18 AAC 75.300 to notify the Department. Also, any transport or disposal of contaminated soil excavated from the site requires approval from the Department in accordance with 18 AAC 75.325(i). As needed.
Groundwater Monitoring Shallow aquifer (perched zone) is contaminated with petroleum, deep aquifer continues to be below Table "C" criteria. Annual monitoring report due no later then end of April of each year for groundwater.
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

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