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Site Report: Flint Hills Resources Refinery

Site Name: Flint Hills Resources Refinery
Address: 1100 H & H Lane, North Pole, AK 99705
File Number: 100.38.090
Hazard ID: 539
Status: Active
Staff: Jim Fish, 9074512117 james.fish@alaska.gov
Latitude: 64.735054
Longitude: -147.345115
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

Very large but unknown amount of product leaked from above ground bolted storage tanks in late 70s and early 80s. Estimate of 275,000 gallons of petroleum product recovered with drawdown well recovery as of 8/90. Air strippers installed to treat groundwater in 9/88. During 2000 to 2002 Site Characterization activities, the chemical sulfalone was discovered periodically in scattered ground water monitoring wells. 1987 monitoring well indicated contaminated above ADEC MCLs. Water at refinery okay and on city water system since 1988. Permit# 9031-DB002 and 8631-AA015. State of Alaska lease# 50824 PERP file# 100.02.001. Spill transferred from PERP #02309900301 (2,000 gallons of kerosene and residual crude - 1/3/02). Name changed from Williams Refinery 9/24/03. Spill number 01309908201. Spill date 3/23/2001. Site includes additional spills transferred from PERP: 09309913805; 10309912801; 10309922303; 11309929801; 11309929904, 12309903201; 13309917501; 13309921901; 12309934301; 13309931202; and 14309907002. Site characterization activities and corrective action plan are provided in Shannon & Wilson's report titled "Site Characterization and Corrective Action Plan, Williams Alaska Petroleum, Inc. North Pole Refinery" dated June 2002. Flint Hill Resources took control of the refinery in 2004. ADEC approved site characterization and corrective action plan January 24, 2006. Contaminant of concerns are as follows. Soil: Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xxylene (total), 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, Naphthalene, 2-Methyl-naphthalene, and Sulfolane. Groundwater: Sulfolane Benzene, Toluene, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene. Sulfolane is the only groundwater contaminant migrating off of the refinery property. EPA ID AKD000850701; EPA site name Flint Hills Resources' North Pole Refinery. A comprehensive onsite cleanup plan for the refinery was approved in October 2014. That cleanup effort includes continued product recovery, operation of a groundwater pump and treat system, limited contaminated soil removal in accessible areas and protection of site workers from vapor intrusion to indoor air. The cleanup effort is currently ongoing as of Fall 2015 and is anticipated to take many years to complete.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
3/1/1978 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). R.W. Beck and Associates, "Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan, North Pole Refining." Former Staff
8/9/1982 Site Characterization Workplan Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). North Pole Refining contracted Marine Consultants to delineate contaminated area and confirm source. Boreholes drilled. Former Staff
11/30/1983 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Duane Miller and Associates "Groundwater Investigation, North Pole Refinery, North Pole, Alaska." Evaluated feasibility of using groundwater for cooling products. Former Staff
6/14/1985 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). City of North Pole sampled water treatment plant and reservoirs in June, July and August of 1985. Purgeable aromatics detected at water treatment plant and in new reservoir. Former Staff
1/6/1986 Update or Other Action EPA issues two Administrative Orders on Consent. One was a 3008(a) Order which found MAPCO to be operating as an illegal treatment, storage and disposal facility and assessed a penalty. The other was a 3000(h) which ordered corrective action of the facility. The 3000(h) ordered the Facility to complete a RCRA Facility Assessment (RFA), Interim Measures (removal of wastes from the surface impoundment and sumps), complete a RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) and if necessary complete a Corrective Measure Study (CMS). Douglas Bauer
11/6/1986 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). Water system at the facility sampled monthly between October and December 1986. Up to 350 ppb benzene detected. Former Staff
11/28/1986 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). ADEC took water samples. Low levels of ethylbenzene and toluene found. Former Staff
12/3/1986 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). City of North Pole sampled water supply wells. No purgeable aromatics detected. Former Staff
12/11/1986 Long Term Monitoring Established COBC required: 1) reactivation of existing, and installation of new collection wells, as necessary to recover fee LNAPL product; 2) Installation of at least 20 monitoring wells, in the vadose and saturated zones, around the perimeter of the facility to monitor the migration of free product and the groundwater plume; 3) monthly sampling of all on-site drinking water wells; 4) Modification of the expansion of the on-site waste water pond; 5) performance of an environmental audit. Douglas Bauer
1/27/1987 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). Shannon and Wilson, Inc. "Work Plan for Further Studies on Site Hydrogeology, North Pole Refinery, North Pole, Alaska." Addressed verification of groundwater flow direction and rate, and suggested monitoring well locations and installation procedures. Former Staff
1/27/1987 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Shannon and Wilson, Inc. "Preliminary Report on Site Hydrogeology, North Pole Refinery, North Pole, Alaska." Former Staff
2/9/1987 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = PER - Permit Action at Site). ADEC issued Air Quality Control Permit #8631-AA015. Expiration 1/30/90. Former Staff
2/11/1987 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Shannon and Wilson, Inc. "Test Holes to Explore Permafrost Conditions, North Pole Refinery, North Pole, Alaska." Four test holes drilled. Former Staff
2/24/1987 Cleanup Plan Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). "Oil Discharge Contingency Plan" approved provided changes made and submitted to ADEC by 4/30/87 along with plans for monitoring well installation. Former Staff
3/2/1987 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Shannon and Wilson, Inc. submitted report, "As-Built Logs of Groundwater Monitoring Wells, North Pole Refinery, North Pole, Alaska." Seven monitoring wells installed with sampling and analysis of 5 soil samples. Former Staff
3/23/1987 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Shannon and Wilson, Inc. Soil samples from installation of monitoring wells 101A, 103 and 105A showed up to 5.2 ppm ethylbenzene, 22 ppm toluene and 14 ppm xylenes. Former Staff
4/1/1987 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = MS - Monitoring/Sampling). Shannon and Wilson, Inc. "Field Test Results from Sampling of Groundwater, North Pole Refinery, North Pole, Alaska." Seven monitoring wells sampled in accordance with 2/11/87 sampling plan. Former Staff
4/1/1987 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). Shannon and Wilson, Inc. recommended procedures for measurement of groundwater elevation and product thickness. Former Staff
6/8/1987 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). Soil borings 106-110 drilled and soil samples taken. Water sample obtained from Well 1. Former Staff
6/15/1987 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). In response to a CO, Fluor Alaska, Inc. submitted report, "Mapco Alaska Petroleum, Inc., Environmental Audit Report, North Pole Refinery." The report addressed product handling procedures, and sources of hydrocarbons in the stormwater holding pond, ground and groundwater. Former Staff
11/25/1987 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). Testing of all tanks and 3 sumps at refinery. Former Staff
3/30/1988 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). "1988 Remedial Action Plan" submitted to ADEC. Included expanded product recovery, water treatment (including VOC stripping unit), and additional monitoring wells. Former Staff
5/11/1988 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Shannon and Wilson, Inc. submitted report, "Borings for Soil Quality Testing, North Pole Refinery, North Pole, Alaska." Five exploratory borings were drilled near the contaminated water holding pond, including one monitoring well. Soil was sampled for metals, purgeable aromatics, and halocarbons. Former Staff
9/1/1988 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = F - Site Treatment, Soil/H2O). Air strippers installed to treat groundwater in late September 1988. Former Staff
11/22/1988 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). Approval of Oil Spill Contingency Plan. Plan in effect until 1/12/91. Former Staff
5/11/1990 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. Former Staff
6/29/1990 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = PER - Permit Action at Site). Wastewater disposal permit issued. Permit 9031-DB002. Former Staff
6/24/1991 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = MS - Monitoring/Sampling). MAPCO reported that monitoring wells were sampled for BTEX. All were non-detectable except for MW-123 and MW-124 which sampled at 19 ppb and 270 ppb benzene respectively. Former Staff
6/24/1991 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = F - Site Treatment, Soil/H2O). Samples were obtained from the air stripper influent and effluent on 6/24/91 and 7/31/91. Stripper C effluent was 10 ppb and the combined effluent from all strippers calculated to be 4.6 ppb. Former Staff
10/22/1991 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). Approved application of non-UST cleanup standards for custom-blending operation of contaminated gravels and de-watered sludges for thermal incineration. Approval of 200 ppm TPH for effluent contingent upon proper final disposition. Former Staff
2/23/1993 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RPL2 - Site Information Request Letter). Sent PRP-CS Database Notification letter to RP requesting update and more environmental information concerning contaminated sites. Mapco responded that landowner was the state. Jeff Peterson
4/1/1993 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = MS - Monitoring/Sampling). Reviewed monitoring, sampling report for April 1993. Dan Basketfield
12/1/1993 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = PER - Permit Action at Site). Expiration of permit 9031-DB002. Former Staff
1/25/1994 Site Added to Database Petroleum product leak. Former Staff
6/6/1994 Update or Other Action Site is on continuous pump and treat remediation program. Monthly reports are submitted to ADEC. Extent of contamination defined to 40 acres in 1990. March 1993 plume was narrowed and BTEX detection levels were very low to non-detectable. April 30, 1994 recovered 337,983 gallons from drawdown well. June 1994 mitigated ground water flow such that BTEX levels are low to non-detectable downgradient of refinery fence line. Eleanor Hung
6/7/1994 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Reranked. Previous score = 192. Former Staff
5/11/1995 Update or Other Action Reviewed data for period 3/94-3/95. Benzene concentrations exceed ADEC cleanup levels for MWs 105A, 107 (Lagoon B), 110 (Lagoon B), 111 (Boneyard), 112 (Boneyard), 113 (Boneyard), 114 (Sump 905), 115 (Sump 05-7), 116 (Sump 901), 123, 125 and 127. Eleanor Hung
2/4/1997 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = F - Site Treatment, Soil/H2O). Installation of 7 recovery wells for static oil recovery, 7 observation wells and completion of infiltration gallery. 275,000 gallons of oil recovered as of 8/90. Bogus action date entered because there was none. Date reflects date of entry. Former Staff
11/24/1997 Update or Other Action D. Bauer assigned to develop communication protocol with EPA Region 10. Douglas Bauer
4/30/1999 Update or Other Action ADEC and EPA Region 10 entered into a site specific communication protocol. EPA has determined that the Facility has met the requirements of the 3008(a) order and completed the Interim Measures, RFA, and RFI required by the 3008(h) order. Protocol defers EPA 3008(h) Corrective Measures Study (CMS) to ADEC pending negotiation and implementation of the following: 1) Site Characterization review: define the nature and extent of existing soil and groundwater contamination for NAPL and dissolved phases; define the nature and extent of any changes in hydrogeology. 2) Development of interim and long-term corrective action plan: selection of applicable remediation option; establishment of interim and long-term corrective action implementation schedule; establishment of plume containment or control procedures for existing and future release that may be reasonably be expected to migrate offsite. 3) Institutionalize corrective action plan by a new Compliance Order by Consent. ADEC will be the lead agency for remediation at the Facility. Douglas Bauer
5/6/1999 Meeting or Teleconference Held Telephone conference call with Kathleen McCullom (Mapco), D. Bauer, and Cheryl Williams (EPA) to discuss protocol agreement. Kathleen in the process of hiring a replacement environmental specialist who will be tasked with implementation. Douglas Bauer
11/10/1999 Update or Other Action Kent Freeman called. He is working on implementation of protocol requirements. He faxed copy of protocol agreement and referred to ADEC CS homepage for regulations and guidance documents. Douglas Bauer
11/23/1999 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with Kathleen McCullom and Kent Freeman of Williams, and Joan Lepain of Shannon and Wilson to discuss implementation of protocol and site characterization elements. Douglas Bauer
4/7/2000 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with Kathleen McCullom, Kent Freeman of Williams Petroleum, David McDowell and Jon Lindstrom of Shannon and Wilson to review site characterization data. Agreed to June 1, 2000 submittal for draft site characterization and corrective action plan, and draft COBC. Douglas Bauer
6/1/2000 Update or Other Action Received initial Draft of Site Characterization and Corrective action plan. Douglas Bauer
12/15/2000 Update or Other Action Received final draft of Site Characterization and Corrective Action plan. Douglas Bauer
4/23/2001 Update or Other Action Received Monitoring Plan Douglas Bauer
7/12/2001 Update or Other Action Changed Site Name from "MAPCO" to "Williams" to reflect new ownership. Former Staff
8/15/2001 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff Amanda Stark. Spill no. 01309908201; spill date = 8/15/01; PERP file no. 100.02.233; substance = heavy atmospheric gas oil (HAGO); quantity = ~150 gallons; source = tank 901. Mitzi Read
11/2/2001 Update or Other Action Received final Contaminant Chracterization Report. Douglas Bauer
7/10/2002 GIS Position Updated Plotted latitude and longitude coordinates and found them to be acceptable for associated property or address. Heather Goldman
7/29/2002 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff Amanda Stark. Spill no. 02309900301; spill date = 1/3/02; PERP file no. 100.02.237; substance = kerosene; quantity = ~2,000 gallons. Mitzi Read
8/9/2005 GIS Position Updated Moved location to Flint Hills office due to calssification of site as a potential Brownfield. Update metadata accordingly. Torsten Ernst
1/24/2006 Site Characterization Report Approved Shannon & Wilson's June 2002 site characterization and corrective action report approved and Sulfalone added as a regulated contaminant. Douglas Bauer
5/8/2006 Cleanup Assumed by ADEC Conducted a file review in response to Hannah Lager's email concerning missing contaminants of concern (CoCs). CoC added. Douglas Bauer
3/14/2008 Update or Other Action Project manager changed from JIm Frechione to Ann Farris. Ann Farris
3/20/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed. Ann Farris
7/3/2008 Update or Other Action Staff conducted a site visit at Flint Hills Refinery and had a teleconference with the EPA RCRA project manager. The product recovery/hydraulic control pumping is ongoing and seems to be functioning sufficiently well to hold the “line in the sand” for benzene concentrations. There are some administrative items with EPA’s RCRA orders that the EPA project manager is working on. They are comfortable with the status of the site, though, and closing two of the three orders should be completed this year. The third order will require some consult with the State AG’s. Ann Farris
7/10/2008 Update or Other Action Flint Hills reported sheen in their gallery pond, which holds the effluent from the air stripper treatment system. Effluent from the galllery pond discharges into the south gravel pad. Upon noticing the sheen, the pond was closed and recirculated. The pond has since been drained and cleaned. The normal operation of the system began again yesterday evening. Ann Farris
10/23/2008 Update or Other Action Sept. 2008 GW Remediation Status report received. 43 gallons recovered. Sampling done from influent and effluent from the air stripper, the gallery pond effluent, 16 monitoring wells, and 9 additional wells for the data gap study. Recovery wells 21, 35, 39, and 40 were cleaned. 4 sets of nested wells were installed; a report on their installation will be forthcoming in November. No exceedances of the discharge permit were noted. Ann Farris
6/12/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC and Flint Hills met to discuss the recent anomalous detections of benzene and sulfolane in the sentinel wells on the refinery property. These contaminants did not exceed the MCLs, but indicate a potential instability in the plume due to a new leak, reduced effectiveness of the product recovery system, or shift in the hydrology. Flint Hills believes that if there was a leak, it is most likely in the wastewater/stormwater lines so they are completing checks on each of those lines, starting with the areas with the highest usage of sulfolane. 19 of the systems will be completed this year. 20 will be completed in 2010. One area has failed a pressure test and has been taken out of service, pending repairs. Flint Hills is also hiring an outside consultant, REISS Remediation, to review the remediation and monitoring program . This detailed review will be over the next several months and evaluate potential for increased effectiveness or coverage. The monitoring program will also change to do a more detailed assessment of the chemistry and hydrology of the system. DEC requested a change in the monthly reporting to better view the data and the historical trends as well include details on the leak detection process and other activities. These changes should occur in the June report. Ann Farris
7/1/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held Met with Flint Hills and EPA (Jan Palumbo is new project manager for site) to update EPA on status and determine where EPA is with administrative orders. EPA is still satisified with DEC oversight and Flint Hills response to the latest data. Jan indicated the paperwork to close out the administrative orders won't be looked at until the fall, but she didn't expect there to be any issues. We plan to meet again in September to get an update from Flint Hills. Ann Farris
9/10/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff met with Brian LaPlaunt and Donna Stevinson from Flint Hills to discuss the July Monthly report, the status of their internal check for piping leaks, and an upcoming project to upgrade secondary containment. Groundwater data will continue to be evaluated for a trend. No wells downgradient exceed the benzene MCL. The pump and treat system is being reviewed by Reiss Environmental this fall and FHR and Reiss will work together to make upgrades as necessary. ADEC, FHR, and Reiss will meet on Sept. 24th to discuss the timeline and approach to the review. Thirteen out of the 18 lines planned for testing have been checked. Three were taken temporarily out of service for failing the pressure tests. The secondary containment repair involves some contaminated soil. FHR will gather their sample results and present to both IPP and CS staff to determine best solution for moving forward with the work that must be done before snow. Ann Farris
9/23/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff met with Flint Hills. The refinery is working with REISS Environmental to do a review and overhaul of their environmental program. They have completed bail-down and pumping tests on select product recovery wells. They also have reviewed the groundwater data. They are analyzing the data over the winter and expect to have recommendations for enhancing the system’s performance by spring. Staff will meet with them on a monthly or bi-monthly basis to keep appraised of their progress. Ann Farris
10/22/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff met with FHR staff. Wastewater violation occurred (TAH at 11ug/L, limit is 10) from the air stripper gallery pond into the S gravel pit. The sheen on the gallery pond occurred twice and the system is now operating in recirculation mode until the problem can be determined. The pump rates have been increased in the product recovery gallery so there may be free product entering the air stripper. FHR is looking into an upstream oil-water separator. Leak detection on the sump system is ongoing. 15 of 36 sumps have been inspected. Three have had leaks. One of these three is out of service completely and the other 2 are connected for stormwater purposes only and an emergency fire suppression system. Permanent repairs to these systems are pending completion of the whole system, expected to be completed by Sept. 2010. New monitoring wells were installed downgradient of the refinery and sampled for sulfolane. There were 3 sets of nested wells (12 and 25 feet) near high school, 1 shallow well near WWTP, and one 75' well on refinery property. Not all results are in yet, but sulfolane was detected in all of the wells. Another meeting will be held with City of North Pole on Oct. 30th to discuss were to go from here. Additional wells will be installed and the hydrogeology will be reevaluated. Ann Farris
11/19/2009 Update or Other Action ADEC nominates sulfolane for development of a Provisional Peer Reviewed Toxicity Value (PPRTV), since EPA has not yet established a toxicity value in their Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Ann Farris
1/7/2010 Update or Other Action This week the Contaminated Sites Program updated the summary of the North Pole Refinery sulfolane contamination. Viewable at www.alaska.gov/spar/csp/sites/npolerefinery.htm, the page offers new information and ways to stay informed. Also this week we sent out the first direct written communication with local people involved and those interested in following the issue. An email group of 76 people will allow more direct and frequent communication. Fifty-two of those on the list attended the November 23rd town hall meeting. We also mailed by postal service to those apparently without an email address a printed copy of the site summary, the latest groundwater monitoring results map, and a letter similar to what the email received. DEC reviewed and approved a preliminary work plan defining the general tasks and schedule to complete the source assessment, plume delineation, and cleanup plan. 1. City wells will be monitored weekly by the City and Flint Hills until ATSDR completes their work. 2. Private well search will be completed by end of January and bottled water provided to those impacted until a permanent solution can be determined, 3. Identification of all potential sources of sulfolane on the refinery, including products being shipped off the refinery property, will be completed by mid-February, 4. Plume delineation horizontally and vertically will be completed by Spring 5. Contaminant transport numerical model is in progress and will be used to estimate historical movement as well as assess potential for future movement and evaluate effectiveness of differnet treatment options 6. Treatment options are being evaluated. A preliminary evaluation is expected in February. Pilot-scale testing will be needed after that to prove the technology. Staff in the Contaminated Sites and Drinking Water Program along with the Department of Health and Flint Hills personnel will meet with the Fairbanks Daily News Miner Editorial Board on January 11 to provide more detailed information than can be given in a brief interview. Department of Health is drafting a fact sheet on sulfolane for the reporters and to send to the public regarding the toxicity of sulfolane as we know it right now. This will be followed by ATSDR’s study and DHSS’s North Pole Health Consultation in February. Ann Farris
1/27/2010 Update or Other Action Contaminated Sites (CS)Staff met with Flint Hills to discuss the status of plume delineation, both the vertical and horizontal extent of sulfolane concentrations. A work plan addendum is currently being prepared and is expected to be submitted to DEC the week of 02/03/10, to assist with the detection of contamination on and off site. The most recent lab samples indicate no apparent vertical trend thus far because so little information is available on well depths. Flint Hills is still sampling residential wells. They are aiming to test all wells up to the Richardson Highway in the near future. Then they will test north of the highway and west of Badger Road. DEC is preparing for a public meeting to announce and discuss the released ASTDR sulfolane levels. It is expected this information will be ready approximately the third week in February. Flint Hills is anticipating a public meeting to inform the residences where they are with getting city water hook-up. Discussions with the City must take place first; however, the meeting is expected to take place soon. Denise Elston
2/8/2010 Update or Other Action The federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) publishes a preliminary health consultation that recommends 25 parts per billion (ppb) for an action level in drinking water to be protective of infant populations. Ann Farris
2/25/2010 Update or Other Action Contaminated Sites (CS) staff continues to work with Flint Hills Refinery (FHR) and the City of North Pole (CNP) regarding the sulfolane plume in the groundwater. Sulfolane concentrations in CNP raw water supply is remaining stable at approximately 6 parts per billion (ppb) from Drinking Well #1. The water post-treatment samples have remained at a non-detect level. FHR has tested approximately 190 non-municipal wells to date. Approximately 80 wells have concentrations about 25 ppb. FHR is now evaluating the vertical extent of contamination. Geophysical techniques and other investigation tools are being evaluated to assist in this delineation effort, which will be ongoing through the summer. This helps with CNP’s initial objective of locating a suitable site for a new city well. FHR is expected to host a meeting on April 5, 2010 to discuss hook-up to city water with all the residents with impacted wells. Denise Elston
3/1/2010 Update or Other Action Upon the recommendations from Alaska's DHSS and the federal ATSDR, ADEC adopts 25 parts per billion as an interim cleanup level and informs FHR that they must complete a risk assessment and additional site characterization, including a complete well search. Ann Farris
4/15/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held 1st meeting of the technical project team. See website http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/csp/sites/north-pole-refinery/ for project detail and update of status Ann Farris
4/23/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
5/5/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT, comment resolution meeting. Subgroups have been formed to address specific issues and will hold smaller meetings outside these. See website http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/csp/sites/north-pole-refinery/ for details on project status. Ann Farris
5/6/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Public meeting (open house/workshop) regarding sulfolane contamination and Flint Hills Refinery. Catherine Glover
5/18/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
5/28/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
6/1/2010 Conceptual Site Model Submitted Draft submitted as part of SC work plan. Will be reviewed and revised throughout the site investigation process. Ann Farris
6/18/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Subgroups have been formed to address specific issues and will hold smaller meetings outside these. See website http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/csp/sites/north-pole-refinery/ for details on project status. Ann Farris
7/2/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
7/14/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Subgroups have been formed to address specific issues and will hold smaller meetings outside these. See website http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/csp/sites/north-pole-refinery/ for details on project status. Ann Farris
8/3/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
8/5/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
8/6/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
8/11/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
8/26/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
8/27/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
9/3/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
9/14/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Subgroups have been formed to address specific issues and will hold smaller meetings outside these. See website http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/csp/sites/north-pole-refinery/ for details on project status. Ann Farris
9/22/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
9/29/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
9/29/2010 Site Visit At the request of the project manager, Ann Farris, the quality assurance officer made a site inspection while Shannon and Wilson was conducting field soil sampling at the FH site. Personnel on site included Andrea Carlson and Mark Wieners from Shannon and Wilson and Brent Porter from the ADEC. The quality assurance officer observed soil borings and the collection of soil samples for VOC analysis. Potential VOC sample collection issues were discussed in the field with Shannon and Wilson. Further followup of VOC sample collection procedures were made by the quality assurance officer and Shannon and Wilson was contacted by the quality assurance officer via phone conversation to reiterate the need to fully comply with the CSP VOC sample collection procedures. Brenton Porter
10/5/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Public meeting (open house/workshop) regarding sulfolane contamination and Flint Hills Refinery. Catherine Glover
10/7/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
10/12/2010 Site Visit At the request of the project manager, the quality assurance officer was onsite to observe groundwater sampling by Shannon and Wilson. Personnel onsite during sampling included Brent Porter from the ADEC, and Kirsten Williams and Rodney Guritz from Shannon and Wilson. No issue were identified with the ground water sampling procedures, while on site. Brenton Porter
10/14/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
10/22/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
10/26/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
11/3/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Subgroups have been formed to address specific issues and will hold smaller meetings outside these. See website http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/csp/sites/north-pole-refinery/ for details on project status. Ann Farris
11/12/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
11/18/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
11/19/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
12/2/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
12/8/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
12/14/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Subgroups have been formed to address specific issues and will hold smaller meetings outside these. See website http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/csp/sites/north-pole-refinery/ for details on project status. Ann Farris
12/16/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
12/22/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
12/29/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
12/29/2010 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 71518 refinery. Ann Farris
1/7/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
1/10/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
1/11/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
1/13/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
1/13/2011 Site Visit Ann Farris
1/18/2011 Update or Other Action Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Section of Epidemiology releases "Final Results of the North Pole Garden Sampling Project." Results from garden study indicate leafy vegetables contain sulfolane. Detections of sulfolane were found in other vegetables too, but in lower concentrations. Due to a very limited number of samples, the agency did not make conclusions for all gardeners about the safe use of sulfolane-affected water for growing fruits and vegetables. Ann Farris
1/19/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
1/28/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
1/31/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
2/4/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (agency). Catherine Glover
2/16/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Subgroups have been formed to address specific issues and will hold smaller meetings outside these. See website http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/csp/sites/north-pole-refinery/ for details on project status. Ann Farris
2/24/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
2/28/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
3/10/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
3/14/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (agency). Catherine Glover
3/17/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
3/22/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
3/24/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
3/25/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
3/30/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Subgroups have been formed to address specific issues and will hold smaller meetings outside these. See website http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/csp/sites/north-pole-refinery/ for details on project status. Ann Farris
4/1/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
4/7/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
4/11/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
4/20/2011 Site Visit Ann Farris
4/21/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
4/24/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
4/26/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
5/2/2011 Update or Other Action The federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) releases a revised Health Consultation that lowers their sulfolane recommendation to 20 ppb in drinking water for infants. Ann Farris
5/4/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
5/5/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (agency). Catherine Glover
5/9/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
5/16/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Public meeting (open house/workshop) regarding sulfolane contamination and Flint Hills Refinery. Catherine Glover
5/17/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Subgroups have been formed to address specific issues and will hold smaller meetings outside these. See website http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/csp/sites/north-pole-refinery/ for details on project status. Ann Farris
5/27/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
5/31/2011 Site Visit Ann Farris
6/2/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
6/3/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
6/16/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Subgroups have been formed to address specific issues and will hold smaller meetings outside these. See website http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/csp/sites/north-pole-refinery/ for details on project status. Ann Farris
6/20/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
6/23/2011 Site Visit Meeting of the full TPT and site visit to Flint Hills Refinery in North Pole. Ann Farris
6/30/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
7/8/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
7/11/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of full TPT; comment resolution meeting. Catherine Glover
7/28/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (internal). Catherine Glover
8/2/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (agency). Catherine Glover
8/4/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
8/23/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
8/24/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Catherine Glover
8/26/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
8/30/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
9/14/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Catherine Glover
9/15/2011 Update or Other Action DEC formally requests nomination of sulfolane for additional studies to the National Toxicity program (NTP). Ann Farris
9/20/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
10/4/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
10/6/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
10/11/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (comment resolution). Catherine Glover
10/11/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT; working session for resolution on the Site Characterization Work Plan. Catherine Glover
10/14/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT via teleconference. Catherine Glover
10/19/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
10/20/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
10/24/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
11/3/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
11/15/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
11/22/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
12/1/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Catherine Glover
12/16/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
12/19/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
12/20/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting Catherine Glover
1/4/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting Catherine Glover
1/5/2012 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff Brian Jackson. Spill no. 10309922303; spill date = 8/11/10; substance = kerosene; quantity = ~4,818 gallons; spill name = Blend Building Sump (S-05-7). Mitzi Read
1/5/2012 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff Brian Jackson. Spill no. 10309912801; spill date = 5/8/10; substance = unknown; quantity = ~150,000 gallons; spill name = FHR Lab Leak. Mitzi Read
1/5/2012 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff Brian Jackson. Spill no. 11309929801; spill date = 10/25/11; substance = gasoline and diesel; quantity = ~1,000 gallons (500 of each); spill name = Catch Basin Seal Failure. Mitzi Read
1/5/2012 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff Brian Jackson. Spill no. 09309913805; spill date = 5/18/09; substance = naphtha; quantity = ~23,528 gallons; spill name = naphtha 2 sump. Mitzi Read
1/10/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
1/11/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
1/18/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Catherine Glover
1/19/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
1/20/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (comment resolution). Catherine Glover
1/23/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
1/30/2012 Update or Other Action EPA issues Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Values for Sulfolane, Jan. 30, 2012. Ann Farris
2/3/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
2/6/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
2/8/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup: Groundwater modeling meeting in Boulder, CO. Catherine Glover
2/9/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup: Groundwater modeling meeting in Boulder, CO. Catherine Glover
2/13/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
2/16/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting (comment resolution). Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
2/21/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
2/27/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
2/29/2012 Site Visit Site visit with DEC staff and UAF faculty and graduate students. Catherine Glover
3/1/2012 Update or Other Action Flint Hills submits Revised Site Characterization Report. Ann Farris
3/5/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
3/7/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
3/7/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Catherine Glover
3/9/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
3/12/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
3/14/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Chemistry TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
3/15/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
3/26/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
3/29/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
4/2/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
4/4/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
4/9/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
4/23/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
4/26/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting (agency). Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting (comment resolution). Catherine Glover
4/29/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Risk Communication TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
5/1/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Public meeting (open house/workshop) regarding sulfolane contamination and Flint Hills Refinery. Catherine Glover
5/7/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization/Remediation TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
5/8/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Toxicology TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
5/17/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site Characterization TPT subgroup meeting. Catherine Glover
6/26/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Technical Project Team meeting. Ann Farris
7/19/2012 Update or Other Action DEC Contaminated Sites Program completes an evaluation of the cumulative exposure from all exposure pathways (vegetables and drinking water) and sets a site-specific cleanup level of 14 ppb or µg/L. Ann Farris
7/25/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Technical Project Team meeting. Ann Farris
8/7/2012 Update or Other Action EPA sends letter announcing its completion of a Preliminary Assessment and issuance of its report. Ann Farris
8/25/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Technical Project Team meeting. Ann Farris
10/30/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Technical Project Team meeting. Ann Farris
11/7/2012 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff Patrik Sartz. Spill no. 1139929904; spill date = 10/26/11; substance = heavy atmospheric gas oil (HAGO); quantity = unknown; source = aboveground storage tank 901; PERP file no. 100.02.001. Desription: A seep originating from a weld at the base of tank 901 caused the tank to be taken out of service. Subsequent investigation revealed a 2x11inch hole in the floor of the tank. Mitzi Read
12/1/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with North Pole Mayor to provide update on the site. Ann Farris
1/1/2013 Update or Other Action Interim Remedial Action Plan Addendum submitted by Flint Hills. Tamara Cardona-Marek
1/2/2013 Update or Other Action DEC received the "Site Characterization Report - Through 2011" prepared by Barr engineering. Robert Burgess
1/8/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of full TPT. Included discussion of Flint Hills Resources plans to cease all offsite activities by the end of 2013 and their plans for the transition. They propose that Williams take over, but Williams has not yet accepted responsibility and has not agreed to conduct any work aside from the modeling effort. DEC is proceeding with identifying site characterization data gaps to be addressed by RPs or by state in upcoming work plan. Robert Burgess
1/8/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held Technical Project Team meeting. Tamara Cardona-Marek
1/9/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting to discuss the groundwater model with FHR's contractors, Geomega. Williams representatives were present including their contractor (via telephone) who will take over the modeling effort. DEC staff and consultants identified several problems and inconsistencies with the model which were not fully addressed or resolved. Examples include horizontal and vertical flow pathways, an artificial vertical distribution coefficient applied to the model (to get sulfolane to depths where detected), the influence of discontinuous permafrost, and the transport of sulfolane to the subpermafrost aquifer. Robert Burgess
1/22/2013 Update or Other Action DEC received the January 2013 Interim Remedial Action Plan Addendum detailing the on-site remedial plan including upgrades of the groundwater recovery and LNAPL skimming system as well as the installation of an air sparge barrier just south of the vertical profiling well transect. Robert Burgess
1/25/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting to discuss data sharing and accessiblity at Shannon and Wilson offices. FHR and their consultants agreed to make data available via an online database by March 1. New data will be reviewed for QA/QC before posting to database roughly 1 month after S&W receives data from lab. Database can be updated to accommodate user needs. Robert Burgess
1/25/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of Degradation subgroup. Discussion and update of progress on UAF incubations looking for sulfolane loss and sulfolane degraders as well as intermediates of degradation in collaboration with University of Oklahoma. Also discussed the shutdown of the air sparge pilot system and pre-shutdown sampling needs, GAC sampling for degradation analyses, and memo from Lisa Gieg regarding potential degradation intermediates of aerobic sulfolane degradation. Robert Burgess
1/25/2013 Update or Other Action Flint Hills submits Site Characterization Report - 2012. Tamara Cardona-Marek
1/25/2013 Update or Other Action Site Characterization Report -2012 Addendum submitted by Flint Hills. Tamara Cardona-Marek
2/1/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting at Shannon & Wilson offices with representatives from FHR and their consultants, DEC staff and DEC consultants to address current data gaps. FHR has agreed to address many data gaps to at least a limited extent, including subpermafrost monitoring using existing private wells and evaluating well transects to see if additional wells are both needed and logistically possible to install. Robert Burgess
2/15/2013 Update or Other Action Perfluorinated Compounds Investigation Report submitted by Flint Hills. Tamara Cardona-Marek
2/20/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC held an open house at the North Pole Mall on Feb. 20, 2013. Approximately 55 people attended. DEC, DHSS and Flint Hills staff were available to answer questions regarding the status of the sulfolane contamination. Robert Burgess
2/21/2013 Update or Other Action The TPT has created a modeling subgroup to further develop a numerical representation of the fate and transport of sulfolane so that additional site characterization needs can be better identified and various cleanup options evaluated. The group will include individuals representing Flint Hills, Willilams, DEC, UAF, and technical consultants of these parties. Robert Burgess
2/21/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting of the full TPT. Discussion of ongoing site characterization, Interim Remedial Action Plan and air sparging including testing for intermediates using LC/MS, sub-permafrost monitoring network including the use of private wells, and other issues. FHR has agreed to continue to do site characterization work offsite including subpermafrost groundwater monitoring. Robert Burgess
2/21/2013 Update or Other Action Fact sheet " Developing a Groundwater Cleanup Level for Sulfolane" posted on website. Tamara Cardona-Marek
2/21/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held Technical Project Team meeting. Tamara Cardona-Marek
2/27/2013 Update or Other Action The TPT has created a modeling subgroup to further develop a numerical representation of the fate and transport of sulfolane so that additional site characterization needs can be better identified and various cleanup options evaluated. The group will include individuals representing Flint Hills, Willilams, DEC, UAF, and technical consultants of these parties. Robert Burgess
3/1/2013 Update or Other Action Flint Hills submits Fourth Quarter 2012 Groundwater Monitoring Report. Tamara Cardona-Marek
3/12/2013 Update or Other Action 2013 Site Characterization Work Plans - Offsite, and Onsite, submitted to DEC. Tamara Cardona-Marek
5/31/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held Briefing to Interior Delegation members. Tamara Cardona-Marek
5/31/2013 Update or Other Action First Quarter 2013 Groundwater Monitoring Report submitted. Tamara Cardona-Marek
6/4/2013 Update or Other Action DEC received notification from Flint Hills, per the requirement on the DNR Temporary Water Use Permit for critical fire suppression and training, that water from the gravel pit will be pumped at 6000 gallons per minute with a fire truck and released back into the gravel pit immediately. They have conducted this test annually but the new DNR permit process now requires that DEC Contaminated Sites is notified. Tamara Cardona-Marek
6/5/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with Borough and North Pole Mayors. Tamara Cardona-Marek
6/13/2013 Update or Other Action Letter sent to residents from Fairbanks North Star Borough mailing list, with return questionnaire. Tamara Cardona-Marek
6/25/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held Open House at North Pole City Hall. Tamara Cardona-Marek
7/8/2013 Update or Other Action Dept. of Health and Social Services publishes "Health Recommendations and Next Steps, June 2013. Tamara Cardona-Marek
7/22/2013 Update or Other Action Revised "Laboratory Key Elements for Sulfolane Analysis in Water, Soil and Plants" posted on DEC website. Tamara Cardona-Marek
7/25/2013 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff Paul Lhotka. Spill no. 13309917501; spill date = 6/24/13; substance = crude oil; quantity = ~50 gallons; source = sump S-2; PERP file no. 100.02.001. Desription: over a two-year period, crude was mistakenly released into a sump that had been taken out of service following a previous release (spill no. 09309913805). Mitzi Read
7/30/2013 Update or Other Action Second Quarter 2013 Groundwater Monitoring Report submitted. Tamara Cardona-Marek
7/31/2013 Update or Other Action Revised Interim Remedial Action Plan Addendum submitted by Flint Hills. Tamara Cardona-Marek
8/1/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held Presentation to Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly. Tamara Cardona-Marek
8/13/2013 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff Paul Lhotka. Spill no. 13309921901; spill date = 8/7/13; substance = lube oil/oily water/kerosene; quantity = unknown; source = sumps S-901 and S-901.5; PERP file no. 100.02.001. Desription: During a scheduled sump inspection it was discovered that the underground lateral piping had been compromised. It was last known to have been functioning properly in October 2012. Mitzi Read
10/31/2013 Update or Other Action Third Quarter 2013 Groundwater Monitoring Report submitted. Tamara Cardona-Marek
11/14/2013 Update or Other Action North Pole Gravel Pond and Slough Sampling report submitted by ERM for DEC. Tamara Cardona-Marek
11/27/2013 Risk Assessment Report Approved DEC conditionally approves the Revised Draft Final Human Health Risk Assessment dated May 2012. Tamara Cardona-Marek
12/20/2013 Update or Other Action Draft Site Characterization Report submitted by Flint Hills. Tamara Cardona-Marek
12/20/2013 Update or Other Action Final Alternative Water Solutions Program Management Plan submitted by Flint Hills. Tamara Cardona-Marek
1/14/2014 Meeting or Teleconference Held Public Open House held at North Pole City Hall. Tamara Cardona-Marek
1/17/2014 Update or Other Action Public notice of Flint Hills' request for an adjudicatory hearing and stay posted. Tamara Cardona-Marek
1/31/2014 Update or Other Action Fourth Quarter 2013 Groundwater Monitoring Report submitted. Tamara Cardona-Marek
2/27/2014 Interim Removal Action Approved DEC approves installation of the extension to the groundwater extraction system. Additional revisions requested to the Revised Interim Remedial Action Plan Addendum submitted July 31, 2013. Tamara Cardona-Marek
3/7/2014 Update or Other Action Garden Soil Sampling report submitted by ERM for DEC. Tamara Cardona-Marek
3/24/2014 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff Wesley Ghormley. Spill no. 12309903201; spill date = 2/1/12; PERP file no. 100.02.001; substance = kerosene; quantity = ~250 gallons; source = Crude Area 3 pipeline valve was left open during shut down operations; product was released while bringing unit back on line. Mitzi Read
6/11/2014 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff John Ebel. Spill no. 12309934301; spill date = 12/8/12; substance = light atmospheric gas oil (LAGO) #2 diesel; quantity = ~200 gallons; location = near asphalt heaters; description: a gasket on an in-line fuel filter failed causing fuel to spray over ~1500 square feet of snow-covered gravel surface. Lat/long 64.739310, -147.350657, WGS84; coordinates collected and verified using CS ArcGIS.com web map; verified using figure from site file. Mitzi Read
6/27/2014 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff Paul Lhotka. Spill no. 13309931202; spill date = 11/8/13; substance = propylene glycol; quantity = ~214 gallons (30 to containment + 184 to soil); location = North/South underground piping by the asphalt heater; description: Glycol heat trace tubing leaked. The cause of the corrosion was likely due to a failure of the waterproof coating on the spray-on insulation causing it to hold water at the surface of the pipe. PERP file no. 100.02.001. Lat/long 64.736935, -147.350527, WGS84; coordinates collected and verified using CS ArcGIS.com web map; verified by PERP staff. Mitzi Read
6/27/2014 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PERP staff Paul Lhotka. Spill no. 14309907002; spill date = 3/11/14; substance = kerosene; quantity = unknown; location = sump 04-3; description: Sump 04-3 and associated laterals failed a static test. The sump is used for draining kerosene when maintenance is performed on hot oil and kerosene pumps. PERP file no. 100.02.001. Lat/long 64.736098, -147.350653, WGS84; coordinates collected and verified using CS ArcGIS.com web map; verified by PERP staff. Mitzi Read
9/16/2014 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff Attended the Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment Public meetings held Sept 16 and 17 in Fairbanks. Kim DeRuyter
10/22/2014 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff attended numerous teleconferences with Flint Hills Resources in October which culminated in the approval of the Onsite Cleanup Plan, the Alternative Water Systems Management Plan, the Soil Management Plan, and the Operations and Maintenance Plan. The final documents were uploaded to the DEC website. Kim DeRuyter
10/29/2014 Update or Other Action Project management staff name changed from Cardona-Marek to DeRuyter. Evonne Reese
12/17/2014 Meeting or Teleconference Held Teleconference with the NTP and other agencies for an update on the NTP research on the health effects of sulfolane. Kim DeRuyter
6/9/2015 Public Notice The Department issued a press release announcing that the National Toxicology Program had initiated new studies to address important data gaps regarding the effects of long term exposure to sulfolane. The Department will wait to set a cleanup level until the results of the study are known. Kim DeRuyter
8/18/2015 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC/Contaminated Sites, Drinking Water and the Department of Health and Social Services held a public meeting at the North Pole Library to provide concerned citizens with an update on the current status of the site. Kim DeRuyter
12/4/2015 Update or Other Action Received 2015 On-Site Excavation report, describing soil excavations that occurred at Lagoon B, the Southwest Former Wash Area, and the Fire Training area. Jim Fish
12/16/2015 Update or Other Action Received 2015 Updates to the Long-Term Monitoring Plan and to the Operations, Maintenance, and Monitoring Plan for the groundwater remediation system. Jim Fish
2/2/2016 Update or Other Action Received Second Semiannual 2015 Offsite Groundwater Monitoring Report Jim Fish
2/2/2016 Update or Other Action Received Second Semiannual 2015 Onsite Groundwater Monitoring Report Jim Fish
2/12/2016 Update or Other Action Comments pertaining to the 2015 Soil Excavation Report, the 2015 Long-term Monitoring Plan Update, and the 2015 Operations, Maintenance and Monitoring Plan Update, for the North Pole Terminal sent to FHR today. Jim Fish
3/1/2016 Update or Other Action Received the 2015 Alternative water Solutions Program Annual report, prepared by Barr Engineering Jim Fish
3/15/2016 Update or Other Action Received a Final Report of Groundwater and POE Sulfolane Degradation Intermediate Sampling Results, prepared by ERM Jim Fish
4/15/2016 Update or Other Action Comments pertaining to the 2015 Alternative Water Solutions Program Annual Report sent to FHR today. Jim Fish
6/17/2016 Update or Other Action Received proposal to modify On-Site Cleanup Plan with shutdown of GAC West system Jim Fish
6/21/2016 Update or Other Action Provided comments to June 17 Request to shutdown GAC West system, and to May 12th Proposed Changes to Offsite Long Term Monitoring Plan; requested meeting to discuss both (as well as proposed changes to Onsite monitoring and OM&M, and AWS plans). Jim Fish
7/7/2016 Meeting or Teleconference Held Comment resolution meeting held via teleconference to discuss proposed changes to onsite and offsite long-term monitoring, the 2014 Onsite Cleanup Plan, and alternative water supply program. Jim Fish
8/1/2016 Update or Other Action Received First Semiannual 2016 Onsite Groundwater Monitoring report and First Semiannual 2016 Offsite Groundwater Monitoring report. Jim Fish
8/21/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved 2020 Offsite Sulfolane Plume Monitoring Plan, dated August 19, 2020, received from Williams Co (WAPI). Jim Fish
9/2/2020 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting held with Williams and consultant (Integral) to discuss onsite PFAS evaluation during 2020. Proposed approach is to sample existing groundwater monitoring wells (~110 of them) and surface waters (ponds) for PFAS analysis, to understand PFAS distribution on the property. Subsequent analysis would inform extent to which soil sampling may occur in the future. Jim Fish
9/4/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Interim approval given for onsite groundwater and surface water sampling for PFAS analyses. Approx. 110 well intervals will be sampled to understand the distribution of PFAS in groundwater. Surface water sampling from the North and South gravel pits will also occur. A July 24th Technical Memorandum/Work Plan will be revised to incorporate discussions regarding soil sampling in suspected or known AFFF release locations on the former refinery, as well as detailed evaluation of ecological exposure to PFAS, to reflect deferral until PFAS distribution in groundwater and surface water is better understood from this sampling event. ADEC provided a list of additional wells to sample, and are being considered by Williams/Integral. Interim approval is provided to enable progress on access and field logistics, so sampling may occur during the 2020 field season. Jim Fish
9/4/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 71518 refinery. Jim Fish
9/25/2020 Update or Other Action Received correspondence and revised Tech Memo and list of onsite monitoring wells to be sampled by Williams and consultant for PFAS analysis. Jim Fish
11/25/2020 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting held with consultant (Integral) to discuss purge water disposal (from on-site monitoring well sampling for PFAS). Recommended brief write-up of proposal for DEC and property owner review. Jim Fish
11/30/2020 Update or Other Action Received brief write-up of purge water disposal proposal. Jim Fish
12/9/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved proposed Onsite monitoring well purge water disposal. Jim Fish
12/18/2020 Update or Other Action Received notification that onsite groundwater purge water will be disposed of offsite. Jim Fish
12/21/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received 2020 Onsite sulfolane, BTEX, and LNAPL monitoring report from Arcadis (FHR consultant). Jim Fish
1/13/2021 Update or Other Action Approval to Transport Contaminated Media (1800 gal of IDW from onsite PFAS groundwater sampling) received and approved today. IDW will be transported to US Ecology, and treated at their Viking Facility in Anchorage. Jim Fish
6/22/2021 Site Visit Site visit with Williams and consultants (Integral and Shannon & Wilson) to walk site and inspect previous & remaining infrastructure associated with former refinery operations. Jim Fish
7/8/2021 Update or Other Action Sent updated map of former refinery showing locations of former sumps, AFFF storage or use, and former fire training center excavation sidewall samples; the wells sampled during 2020 (and some that had PFOS >400 ppt) and 2018 PFOS data; and locations where soil borings were advanced during previous site characterization efforts by FHR. Jim Fish
7/19/2021 Update or Other Action Received update list of wells included in the ROCP sulfolane and NSZD LTM Plan. FHR also agreed to sample MW-304-40 for benzene during 2021 third quarter sampling Jim Fish
8/25/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received August 25, 2021 Site Characterization Report – Groundwater, Williams Alaska Petroleum, Inc., Former North Pole Refinery, North Pole, AK for the PFAS sampling event that occurred during Novemeber & December, 2020 on the former North Pole Refinery. Jim Fish
9/13/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Receieved EDD files from consultant for onsite PFAS data reported in Aug 25 Site Characterization Report Jim Fish
10/22/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Sent comments and questions to Williams and Integral (Consultant) regarding the August 25, 2021 Site Characterization Report – Groundwater, Williams Alaska Petroleum, Inc., Former North Pole Refinery, North Pole, AK for the PFAS sampling event that occurred last year on the former North Pole Refinery. Jim Fish
3/23/2022 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC met with FHR and consultants to discuss modifications to the OCP monitoring for 2022 and decommissioning of wells and soil gas points no longer utilized. Jim Fish
3/30/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received a Final 2020 Offsite Sulfolane Monitoring Report from Williams & their consultant (Integral) today. Jim Fish
5/4/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received work plan addendum for proposed soil borings and groundwater well installations on the former NPR, as well as surface water and sediment sampling during 2022. Jim Fish
5/20/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Sent work plan comments from DEC and its contractor for the proposed 2022 PFAS assessment on the former North Pole Refinery. Jim Fish
6/16/2022 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting held with Williams & consultant Integral on anticipated offsite sulfolane sampling and onsite PFAS sampling for 2022. Jim Fish
7/7/2022 Update or Other Action DEC concurred with Williams contractor Integral for decommissioning of eleven offsite nested monitoring wells that would require a Temporary Use Permit or easement with the Fairbanks North Star Borough for continued use. Jim Fish
7/22/2022 Update or Other Action Received 2021 Annual Offsite Sulfolane Plume Monitoring Report from consultant (Integral) Jim Fish
7/28/2022 Update or Other Action Received Response to DEC comments, as well as a Revised Work Plan Technical Addendum from Integral for 2022 Onsite PFAS Site Assessment. Jim Fish
8/8/2022 Site Characterization Workplan Approved DEC approved the Revised 2022 Onsite Work Plan Technical Addendum for PFAS characterization. Jim Fish
1/24/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received 2022 Onsite sulfolane and BTEX report from consultant (Arcadis) Jim Fish
4/6/2023 Update or Other Action CS Staff sent a request letter to Williams Alaska Petroleum, Inc. asking for delineation and characterization of the PFAS-contaminated groundwater plume that has migrated off the former North Pole refinery site. Jim Fish
5/31/2023 Update or Other Action Received a workplan from Williams (Integeral) for offsite PFAS sampling of groundwater in existing monitoring wells and private wells, in accordance to DEC's request letter of 6 April 2023. Jim Fish
6/15/2023 Site Characterization Workplan Approved DEC approved a work plan (2023 Tech Memo) from Integral (on behalf of Wlliams) for offsite sampling of existing monitoring wells, some private wells, and several surface water bodies in the greater North Pole area for PFAS. A few wells onsite the former refinery will also be sampled during 2023 for PFAS. Jim Fish
7/13/2023 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 71518 refinery. Jim Fish
8/1/2023 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC and contractor met with Williams and consultant (Integral) to preview 2022 offsite sulfolane monitoring results as well as 2022 onsite PFAS sampling results. Possible next steps were discussed for offsite long term monitoring and for additional PFAS source delineation onsite. Reporting of 2022 sampling results for both onsite and offsite are pending. Jim Fish
8/29/2023 Update or Other Action DEC Sent correspondence to Williams and consultant with specific offsite sulfolane sampling requests to be (provate wells and monitoring wells) conducted during 2023. Jim Fish
9/21/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received draft 2022 Onsite PFAS Assessment report from Integral Jim Fish
9/29/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received draft 2022 Offsite Sulfolane Monitoring and 5-Year Review (2017-2021) Report from Integral Jim Fish
11/6/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Sent comments to Williams/Integral and asked for a revised draft 2022 Annual Monitoring and Five-Year (2017-2021) Offsite Sulfolane Plume Monitoring Report be submitted within 30 days. Jim Fish
11/9/2023 Update or Other Action DEC approved IDW management plan: onsite purge water from monitoring wells will be collected, containerized, consolidated and shipped for disposal via US Ecology Alaska, LLC, while offsite purge water will be treated with 15 lbs GAC prior to discharge to ground surface near well. Jim Fish
11/22/2023 Update or Other Action Approved request from Integral for extension until January 5th, 2024 for 2022 Offsite Sulfolane Monitoring and Five-year Review Report resubmittal, along with 2022 Onsite PFAS Assessment response to comments matrix, pending receipt of comments from ADEC. Jim Fish
11/30/2023 Update or Other Action ADEC comments to 2022 Onsite PFAS Assessment Report sent today, with request for response & revised report by January 5th, 2024. Jim Fish
1/5/2024 Update or Other Action Received PFAS Response to Comment and Revised Site Characterization Report; Offsite Sulfolane Response to Comments and Revised Report and an Alternative Water Supply Plan for offsite sulfolane from Williams/Integral. Jim Fish
1/18/2024 Update or Other Action Received 2023 Onsite Groundwater Monitoring Report from Arcadis/FHR Jim Fish
2/9/2024 Update or Other Action ADEC sent comments to Integral/Williams pertaining to 2024 Alternative Water Supply Plan, Former North Pole Refinery document. Jim Fish
2/14/2024 Update or Other Action Received a request from Integral for a 90-day extension for reporting 2023 offsite sulfolane sampling results. Jim Fish
2/15/2024 Update or Other Action Approved transport of Investigative Derived Waste (soil and groundwater) from MW-332 and Mw-166 well replacements and development to temporary holding area on the Marathon Terminal, until analytical results and final disposal transport are determined. Jim Fish
4/17/2024 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting held with Integral/Williams and DEC to update on status of offsite sulfolane & PFAS sampling from 2023; Alternative Water Supply development; surveying residential water supply not connected to piped water; and 5-year work plan development. Jim Fish
4/17/2024 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved Transport & disposal of Investigative Derived Waste from offsite sampling approved. Jim Fish

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details

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Hazard ID Site Name File Number
3805 Williams North Pole Refinery HAGO L 100.38.090
3810 Williams North Pole Refinery RR 100.38.090
3815 Williams Refinery Crude Unit 2 100.38.090

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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
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Physical Location: 410 Willoughby