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Site Report: Fort Wainwright (OU-4) FTWW 038 Landfill Plume

Site Name: Fort Wainwright (OU-4) FTWW 038 Landfill Plume
Address: North Side of Chena River, SW of Birch Hill Ski Area, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
File Number: 108.38.070.03
Hazard ID: 1129
Status: Active
Staff: Carly Jensen, 9072697558 carly.jensen@alaska.gov
Latitude: 64.854470
Longitude: -147.622290
Horizontal Datum:

We make every effort to ensure the data presented here is accurate based on the best available information currently on file with DEC. It is therefore subject to change as new information becomes available. We recommend contacting the assigned project staff prior to making decisions based on this information.

Problems/Comments

The Fort Wainwright Landfill is located at the base of Birch Hill and is 60 acres (approximately 40 acres north of River Road, and approximately 20 acres immediately south of River Road). Landfill activities at this area began in the early 1950s, and waste was initially dumped into gravel pits, burned, and covered. By the early 1960s, trenching and burning of waste ceased and wastes were spread, compacted by a bulldozer, and covered with coal ash generated from the Fort Wainwright power plant. The Operable Unit 4 (OU4) Record of Decision (ROD) remedy included capping the inactive portion of the landfill (this was completed in 1997) and implementing monitored natural attenuation, groundwater monitoring and institutional controls (ICs) to the site. Currently there is a monitoring well network located downgradient (west and southwest) of the capped area. The site is underlain by discontinuous permafrost. Monitoring wells across the site have been installed at shallow (wells screened across the water table), intermediate (wells screened below the water table) and deep (wells screened below permafrost) depths. On an annual basis, ten of the monitoring wells are sampled in the summer, and 7 monitoring wells in the fall. Additionally, an institutional control (IC) inspection is completed annually. Currently, the inactive portion of the landfill is appropriately covered and graded to prevent possible ponding, there is vegetation growth and there have been no signs of damage to the landfill face or slopes. Contaminants of concern remaining above ADEC cleanup levels in the groundwater table are: 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, trichloroethene, benzene and cis-1,2-dichloroethene. Long-term monitoring is expected to continue at this site. The active portion of the landfill is permitted by the Solid Waste Program and monitoring activities are conducted separately under 18 AAC 60. The corresponding Army HQAES site number is: 02871.1023.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
6/10/1991 Site Added to Database Multiple contaminants and hazardous wastes. Former Staff
4/13/1992 Preliminary Assessment Approved Draft scope of work plan for OU4 Management Plan. Ronan Short
10/20/1992 Meeting or Teleconference Held Draft CSM and DQO's for OU4 by E&E, Inc. Ronan Short
11/30/1992 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = DD - Decision Document (CERCLIS)). Draft Management. Plan received Primary Document. Ronan Short
3/12/1993 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = MP - Management Plan (CERCLIS)). Report draft final OU-4 MP received. Ronan Short
3/30/1993 Meeting or Teleconference Held Short and Markey conference call with Fort Wainwright and EPA regarding review of draft final OU4 Management Plan. Also discussed status of other documents. Ronan Short
4/28/1993 Site Characterization Workplan Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = MP - Management Plan (CERCLIS)). Final Management Plan received for OU-4. Also includes Operating Landfill and Power Plant Coal Storage Yard at Fort Wainwright. Is primary document. Ronan Short
4/18/1994 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Four 200 foot MWs will be installed at Landfill via Air Rotary Drill. Drill to 200 feet or bedrock. Locations will be as in map attached to OU4 Management plan 4/22/94. Ronan Short
5/16/1994 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RPL2 - Site Information Request Letter). Sent PRP-CS Database Notification Letter to Cristal Fosbrook requesting update/confirmation of information concerning the contaminated site. Jeff Peterson
12/23/1994 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. Jeff Peterson
1/17/1995 Risk Assessment Report Approved Post-wide Risk Assessment Approach Document received this date. Comments by RM. Document prepared by HLA. Ronan Short
1/23/1995 Site Characterization Report Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = FS - Feasibility Study (General)). Draft FS received this date. FS is for OU4 which also includes Coal Storage Pile and Fire Training Pits. Ronan Short
1/30/1995 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RI - Remedial Investigation). Interim Draft Report of Geological/Geophysical Investigations of OU4 Landfill. Ronan Short
2/17/1995 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = MP - Management Plan (CERCLIS)). Compiled Work Plans for GW Analysis Tasks at FWW. Draft workplans for proposed activities summer 1995- CH2MHill. Includes USGS, CRREL and UAF Water Resources. Ronan Short
12/13/1995 Update or Other Action Draft Record of Decision submitted for 30 day review. Rielle Markey
3/13/1996 Update or Other Action Received Appendix "G" for Fort Greely Confirmation Drilling Sites. Ronan Short
5/24/1996 Update or Other Action Contract DACA85-93-D-0009, Delivery Order Number 25, Implementation of Community Relations Activities, Draft Final, OU-4, Record of Decision. Rielle Markey
6/13/1996 Update or Other Action 65% Design Submittal for the Fort Wainwright Land Fill Cap Project, OU-4, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Hazardous, Toxic and Radiological Waste Contract, Contract Number DACA85-95-D-0008, Delivery Order Number 0007, received 8/17/1996. Rielle Markey
6/26/1996 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RD - Remedial Design). Markey/Adler: Landfill Cap Project, OU-4, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Vicinity Map, Notes, Legend, and Abbreviations, received 6/28/1996. Rielle Markey
8/1/1996 Update or Other Action Received 2 copies on 8/23/1996 of the unsigned final, Record of Decision for OU-4, Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks, Alaska, from the U.S. Army. Rielle Markey
9/12/1996 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = CORR - Correspondence (General)). Report NFAD proposed, but EPA not willing to sign as of August 1992. Rielle Markey
9/12/1996 Record of Decision Record of Decision, OU-4, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, dated 8/l/1996. Rielle Markey
9/12/1996 Institutional Control Record Established Record of Decision established Institutional Controls as part of the remedy. Rielle Markey
9/12/1996 Long Term Monitoring Established Long-term monitoring established as part of the remedy. Rielle Markey
3/26/1997 Update or Other Action Site updated by Shannon and Wilson, based on the Army Defense Site Environmental Restoration Tracking System Worksheet dated 11/8/96. The worksheet indicates 170 ppb TCE and a variety of other compounds in groundwater and soil. S&W
8/22/1997 Update or Other Action Memorandum of Understanding regarding GW sampling at landfill signed between army, Solid Waste, and Contaminated Sites DOD. Rielle Markey
11/4/1999 Update or Other Action Remedy of Landfill Cap in place. Monitoring GW and ICs to continue. Annual inspections of landfill cap completed by Army. Rielle Markey
10/17/2000 Update or Other Action Semi-annual groundwater sampling continuing. March 2000 results indicate elevated Arsenic in well AP-6139 (unexplained). VOC concentrations are not changing significantly. LTM continuing. Rielle Markey
10/26/2000 Update or Other Action Update from DOWL at October FFA meeting: semi-annual GW monitoring completed in March and August. ADEC reviewed and commented on August GW report. Little changes in concentration - continuing monitoring. Ann Farris
7/17/2001 Meeting or Teleconference Held FFA meeting: landfill monitoring continues with little change. Four wells to be installed by end of August - 2 replacement in the thaw channel and 2 new further west of the landfill at shallow and deep depths. Ann Farris
12/12/2001 Institutional Control Record Established 1. All organizations conducting activities on United States Army Alaska (USARAK) controlled land are responsible for complying with established institutional controls (ICs). ICs are administrative, procedural, and regulatory measures to control human access to and usage of property. They are applicable to all known or suspected contaminated sites where contamination has been left in place. 2. These controls have been established to implement the selected remedial actions agreed upon by the U.S. Army (Army), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) as amended by the Superfund Amendment Reauthorization Act (SARA). These controls also apply to remedial actions agreed upon under Two-Party Compliance Agreements. These agreements are concluded between USARAK and ADEC and apply to petroleum/oil/lubricants- (POL) contaminated sites. 3. ICs such as limitations on access, water use, excavations, and property transfers will supplement engineering controls as appropriate for short-term and long-term management to prevent or limit human and environmental exposure to hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Specific ICs include, among other things: limitations on the depth and location of excavations, prohibition of or restrictions on well drilling and use of ground water, requirements for worker use of personal protective equipment, site monitoring, and prohibition of certain land uses, types of vehicles, etc. 4. Organizational units, tenants, and support/contractor organizations must obtain an Excavation Clearance Request (ECR) for all soil disturbing activities impacting soils six inches or more below the ground surface. The review process for approval of an ECR begins with the identification of the current status (known or suspected hazardous waste site or “clean” site) of a work location. ECR’s for work in known or suspected hazardous waste sites: a. will include specific limitations and controls on such work; b. will include specific IC procedures, and notification, monitoring, reporting, and stop work requirements; c. may include procedures for management, characterization, and disposal of any soil or groundwater encountered or removed; d. will identify “project managers” for both the unit/contractor requesting the work and DPW Environment Resources. 5. The DPW project manager will conduct on-site inspections of each work site (at which ICs apply) to determine continued compliance with the terms and conditions of the approved ECR. DPW has the authority to revoke ECR approval if the specified terms and conditions are not being met. ECR forms are available at the Customer Service Desks at: a. Building 730 at Fort Richardson; b. Building 3015 at Fort Wainwright; c. Building 605 at Fort Greely. 6. USARAK has negotiated (with USEPA and/or ADEC) decision documents and/or Records of Decision (RODs) that mandate the implementation of ICs USARAK Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Resources Department (PWE), maintains copies of all decision documents and RODs requiring ICs in its real property files. PWE provides regularly updated post maps showing all areas affected by ICs. These maps can easily be accessed by using an approved intranet mapping interface application. Copies of these maps will be available to each directorate, activity, and tenant organization. To ensure the effectiveness of ICs, all organizational units and tenant activities will be informed on an annual basis of ICs on contaminated soils and groundwater in effect near their facilities. 7. ICs are enforceable by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). Failure to comply with an IC mandated in a decision document or ROD will violate the USARAK Federal Facility Agreement and may result in stipulated fines and penalties. This does not include the costs of corrective actions required due to violation of an established IC. Sharon Richmond
6/21/2002 Update or Other Action Comments on Draft 2001 Annual Groundwater Sampling Report, Landfill Monitoring Wells, Operable Unit 4, Fort Wainwright, Alaska (dated May 2002). Action entered by Sarah Riddle. Patrice Buck
7/16/2003 Meeting or Teleconference Held Fort Wainwright Restoration Advisory Board held its last meeting on July16, 2003. Patrice Buck
9/9/2003 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Changed Ground Water Exposure Index Value from 0 to 1 due to the fact that GW is contaminated at this site. Former Staff
11/2/2004 Update or Other Action reviewed draft spring 2004 groundwater monitoring report. Concentrations of contaminants is generally unchanged. Sampling will continue semi-annually. Monitoring well AP-8062 is broken and will be replaced. Heat trace cables will be installed in wells AP-8063 and DH-6534. Sharon Richmond
4/13/2005 Site Characterization Report Approved Reviewed and approved Draft 2004 Fall Sampling Report. Chlorinated solvent and benzene contamination in the shallow upper aquifer appears stable and contamination in the lower deep aquifer is declining. Groundwater monitoring will continue annually. Sharon Richmond
7/28/2005 Update or Other Action Contaminated Sites staff reviewed and approved the 2005 Groundwater Monitoring and Data Analysis Work Plan for the Landfill Source Area at Fort Wainright. Groundwater in this area is contaminated with chlorinated solvents and benzene. Monitoring began in 1997 and willl continue on a semi-annual basis. Contamination is not migrating and concentrations of contaminants are stable. Sharon Richmond
11/16/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC attended the regularly acheduled FFA meeting with the Army, EPA, the Corps, and consultants. Concentrations of benzene and chlorinated solvents in groundwater downgradient from the Fort Wainwright Landfill remain fairly stable in the wells closest to the landfill, although low levels of benzene were detected in the down gradient well and tetrachloroethane was detected in an intermediate well. Most analytes were not detected in most wells. Sharon Richmond
12/21/2005 Site Characterization Report Approved Staff reviewed 2005 Groundwater Monitoring and Data Analysis at the Landfill Source Area, OU4, Fort Wainwright, Alaska Technical Memorandum. Natural attenuation with long-term monitoring and institutional controls have been chosen as the site remediation and management strategy. Groundwater monitoring was conducted in May 2005. No significant changes in contaminant concentrations were noted. Sharon Richmond
3/2/2006 Site Characterization Report Approved Staff reviewed and approved Draft Landfill Annual Sampling Report. With the exception of PCA and TCE in monitoring wells AP-5588, contaminant concentrations are generally low and fairly stable. At some wells there is evidence of seasonal variation in contaminant concentrations. At AP-5588, there are no discernable trends. No changes to the monitoring program are recommended for sampling to occur in 2006. Sharon Richmond
3/3/2008 Update or Other Action Reviewed 2007 sampling data. Concentrations of most contaminants stable. AP-5588 continues to show the highest concentrations of COCs; TCE and PCA increased significantly in October sampling. No changes in sampling program recommended. Bi-annual sampling will continue. Sharon Richmond
3/3/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed. Sharon Richmond
5/13/2008 Update or Other Action Staff reviewed and approved the Draft 2008 Groundwater Monitoring Work Plan. Comments were minor but staff did equest that complted copies of teh required DEC Lab QA checklists be included in the annual report. Sharon Richmond
6/17/2009 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other The Final 2009 Groundwater Monitoring and Data Analysis at the Landfill Source Area, OU4, Fort Wainwright June 2009 work plan was approved. Debra Caillouet
4/30/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Minor comment was sent to the Army on the Technical Memorandum, Draft 2010 Work Plan, Groundwater Monitoring and Data Analysis at the Landfill Source Area, Operable Unit 4, Fort Wainwright, Debra Caillouet
6/7/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Technical Memorandum, 2010 Work Plan, Groundwater Monitoring and Data Analysis at the Landfill Source Area, Operable Unit 4, Fort Wainwright, May, 2010 was approved Debra Caillouet
5/25/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Draft 2010 Annual Sampling Report, Groundwater Monitoring and Data Analysis at the Landfill Source Area, May 2011 Debra Caillouet
6/14/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Technical Memorandum, 2010 Work Plan, Groundwater Monitoring and Data Analysis at the Landfill Source Area, Operable Unit 4, Fort Wainwright, June 2011 The work plan meets the requirements for long-term groundwater monitoring and is approved. Debra Caillouet
10/20/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other 2010 Annual Sampling Report, Groundwater Monitoring and Data Analysis at the Landfill Source Area, Operable Unit 4, October 2011 Debra Caillouet
6/11/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Draft 2011 Monitoring Report, Operable Unit 4, Fort Wainwright, May 2012 Debra Caillouet
8/24/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Final 2011 Annual Sampling Report, Groundwater Monitoring and Data Analysis at the Landfill Source Area, Operable Unit 4, Fort Wainwright Alaska, August 2012 approved. Debra Caillouet
9/17/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Final 2012/2013 Work Plan, Operable Unit 4, Fort Wainwright Alaska, August 2012 Debra Caillouet
5/14/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Draft 2012 Annual Sampling Report, Groundwater Monitoring and Data Analysis at the Landfill Source Area, May 2013 Debra Caillouet
5/15/2014 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Draft 2013 Annual Sampling Report, Groundwater Monitoring and Data Analysis at the Landfill Source Area, Operable Unit 4, Fort Wainwright, May 2014. No significant changes in the groundwater or IC violations noted. Debra Caillouet
2/9/2015 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Final 2013 Annual Sampling Report, Groundwater Monitoring and Data Analysis at the Landfill Source Area, Operable Unit 4, Fort Wainwright, December 2014 Debra Caillouet
9/1/2015 Update or Other Action Transferred to Fairbanks Susan Carberry
4/29/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed 2015 Draft Landfill Groundwater Monitoring Report. Benzene and chlorinated solvents continue to be detected in wells downgradient of the landfill, both above and below the remedial action goal. Semi-annual groundwater monitoring will continue. Joy Whitsel
12/13/2016 Meeting or Teleconference Held A two day Federal Facilities Agreement (FFA) and Stakeholders meeting was held on December 13 & 14, 2016. The main focus of the meeting was to develop a site discovery and site intake process that would satisfy requirements of the Fort Wainwright FFA, RCRA Permit, and two party agreements. The Army, EPA and DEC committed to a flowchart of the preliminary source evaluation process. Timelines were established for scoping a land use control implementation plan (LUCIP) and developing a contracting schedule for Fort Wainwright contaminated site investigations and remedial actions. Seven sites were proposed for inclusion into the FFA (three party agreement) by the Army and the RPMs documented the assignment of the regulatory path for these sites using a newly developed and agreed to signature form. Dennis Shepard
1/1/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the 2015 Annual Institutional Controls Report, Fort Wainwright, Alaska (August 2016). Dennis Shepard
7/28/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC Approved the Final 2017 Monitoring Well Decommissioning Work Plan, Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The work plan identifies inactive and/or damaged monitoring wells within the Fort Wainwright operable units and 2 party sites that are considered appropriate for decommissioning. Dennis Shepard
8/10/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approval of 2016 Sampling Report, Groundwater Monitoring Data Analysis at the Landfill Source Area, Operable Unit 4 (OU-4), FTWW-4. Groundwater samples were collected from 10 wells in July 2016 and seven wells in October 2016. Jamie McKellar
10/8/2018 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the 2017 Annual Sampling Report Groundwater Monitoring and Data Analysis at the Landfill Source Area, Operable Unit 4, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, dated October 2018. The document describes groundwater results collected from 8 wells during June 2017, and 10 wells during the October/November 2017 at the Operable Unit 4 (OU4) Landfill site. Results from these wells are used to evaluate the migration of contaminants from the Landfill. Contaminants of concern (COCs) were detected above the remedial action goal (RAG) at four out of the seven downgradient wells (AP-5588, AP-5589, AP-6532, AP-8063). The following COCs detected in the downgradient wells above the RAG are; cis-1,2-dichloroethane (cis-1,2-DCE), 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (PCA), 1,1,2-trichloroethane, trichloroethene and benzene. Benzene was also detected above the RAG at one upgradient well (AP-10257). Due to the presence of benzene in AP-10257, it is recommended that AP-5593, a shallow well located within a thaw channel upgradient from the landfill, be sampled. Monitoring activities at Operable Unit 4 are expected to continue. Erica Blake
7/30/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the 2018 OU4 Monitoring Report. The report showed that Record of Decision contaminants of concern continue to exceed Remedial Action Goals in several wells, often fluctuating around the RAGs on a seasonal or annual basis. Additionally, a non-ROD contaminant, 1.4-Dioxane, continues to exceed DEC cleanup levels in several wells. Mann-Kendall trend analysis for monitoring wells showed that most contaminants were in “Decreasing” or “No Trend” status, although AP-10257 and AP-6532 showed an increasing trend for Benzene and AP-5589 exhibited increasing TCE and PCA. No major issues were noted during the IC inspection. Several wells not included in the active sampling program could not be locked or were inundated by standing water. Kevin Fraley
8/1/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the Final 2019 CERCLA Sites Work Plan Operable Units 1 through 6 (Dated July 2019). DEC provided a conditional approval on April 15, 2019 so the contractor could begin the 2019 groundwater sampling in advance of finalizing this work plan addendum. Review comments for the draft version of the document was provided on April 26, 2019. The document was prepared to help guide the site activities, data review, and reporting tasks for work conducted at Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) sites on Fort Wainwright, Alaska (FWA) during the 2019 field season. The U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Alaska CERCLA sites associated with this Work Plan include Operable Units (OUs) 1 through 6. Erica Blake
7/28/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the Final 2020 CERCLA Site Work Plan Operable Units 1 through 6 Fort Wainwright, Alaska (dated July 2020). The document was prepared to guide site activities, data review, and reporting tasks for work conducted at Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) sites on Fort Wainwright, Alaska (FWA). CERCLA sites covered by this work plan include Operable Units (OUs) 1 through 6. All six OUs will also be included in the annual institutional controls (IC) inspection. Erica Blake
10/9/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC approved the Final 2019 Monitoring Report Operable Unit 4, U.S. Army Garrison Alaska (dated September 2020). The document describes 2019 groundwater monitoring activities at the Operable Unit 4 (OU4) Landfill. Groundwater monitoring wells were sampled June 2019, and October 2019. Geochemical parameters were collected to facilitate natural attenuation parameters. A Mann-Kendall trend analysis was performed, and most contaminants of concern at this site showed a general, decreasing trend in concentration levels. An institutional controls (IC) inspection was conducted. The landfill cap and fence were in good condition, and the groundwater monitoring wells in the active CERCLA sampling program were found to be in good condition. Inactive groundwater monitoring wells were inspected to ensure they were secured. Long-term monitoring at this site is expected to continue. Erica Blake
11/3/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC approved the Final Groundwater Sampling of AP-6573B Report, U.S. Army Garrison Alaska (dated October 2020). Monitoring well AP-6573B was sampled in 2019 for Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 258 Appendix II analytes. Results from the 2019 sampling event showed no contaminants above DEC cleanup levels. Erica Blake
2/11/2021 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved ADEC approved 280 gallons of purge water generated from six sites (Bldg 3570, OU1, OU2 (DRMO1 and DRMO4), OU4 Landfill, OU5 EQFS, and OU6) on Fort Wainwright, Alaska to be transported from the Fort Wainwright hazardous waste facility (Building 3489) to U.S. Ecology in Grand View, Idaho. The purge water was generated from groundwater sampling activities on Fort Wainwright during the 2020 field season. Erica Blake
2/11/2021 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved ADEC approved the transport of 150 gallons of purge water generated from four sites (TCE in monitoring well AP-5531 - near B3007 Drainage Swale, Bldg 3030 South Loading Dock, North Refueling, and OU4 Landfill) on Fort Wainwright, Alaska from the Fort Wainwright hazardous waste facility (Building 3489) to U.S. Ecology in Grand View, Idaho for treatment and disposal. Erica Blake
4/19/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the Final Supplemental Appendix II Groundwater Monitoring, Fort Wainwright Landfill, U.S. Army Garrison Alaska (dated April 2021). Groundwater samples were collected from the Operable Unit 4 (OU4) Fort Wainwright Landfill source area for Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 258 Appendix II. This report focused on discussing the results of the Appendix II sampling, which was conducted at the request of ADEC. Continued Appendix II sampling at OU4 will be conducted under a separate groundwater monitoring program under the ADEC Solid Waste Program. This Appendix II sampling under the CERCLA program was a one time event. Groundwater monitoring under the OU4 Record of Decision for the CERCLA portion of the landfill monitoring will continue and be documented in annual groundwater monitoring reports. Erica Blake
6/15/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC provided review comments for the "Draft 2021 CERCLA Sites Work Plan Operable Units 1 through 6, Fort Wainwright, Alaska" (dated May 2021) to the U.S. Army. The document describes proposed site activities to collect data and evaluate progress towards achieving remedial action objectives (RAOs) at the six Operable Unit (OU) sites on Fort Wainwright, Alaska (FWA). In addition to sampling activities, institutional control (IC) inspections will be conducted. Erica Blake
6/21/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC provided responses to comments for the "Draft 2021 CERCLA Sites Work Plan Operable Units 1 through 6, Fort Wainwright, Alaska" dated May 2021 to the U.S. Army. Review comments were provided on June 15, 2021, and responses were received and reviewed June 21, 2021. A final version of the work plan has been requested, upon receipt of the final ADEC will be able to provide approval. The document is a work plan with proposed site activities to collect data and evaluate progress towards achieving remedial action objectives (RAOs) at six Operable Unit (OU) sites (OU1 through OU6) on Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Erica Blake
7/19/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC provided review comments for the "Draft-Final Fifth Five-Year Review Report, Fort Wainwright Fairbanks, Alaska" to the U.S. Army. The document is the fifth Five-Year Review for Fort Wainwright. The remedies at six Operable Units were evaluated. Erica Blake
7/30/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC provided approval for the "Final 2021 CERCLA Sites Work Plan Operable Units 1 through 6, U.S. Army Garrison Alaska" (dated July 2021) to the U.S. Army. The document describes site activities to collect data and evaluate progress towards achieving remedial action objectives (RAOs) at six Operable Unit sites on Fort Wainwright, Alaska (FWA). Erica Blake
8/17/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC provided review comments for the "Draft 2020 Monitoring Report Operable Unit 4, U.S. Army Garrison Alaska" (dated July 2021) to the U.S. Army. The report discusses results from the 2020 sampling at the Fort Wainwright OU4 Landfill. The contaminant trends were evaluated and are comparable to previous years. There were no changes recommended for the sampling program in 2021. In addition to groundwater sample collection, institutional controls were inspected and observed to be in good condition. Erica Blake
8/26/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC provided responses to comments for the "Draft-Final Fifth Five-Year Review Report, Fort Wainwright Fairbanks, Alaska" to the U.S. Army. The Fifth Five-Year Review document evaluated the protectiveness at six Operable Unit sites. Erica Blake
10/6/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC provided an acknowledgement of receipt letter for the "Final Fifth Five-Year Review Report, Fort Wainwright Fairbanks, Alaska" (undated) to the U.S. Army. The FYR report describes and evaluates the implementation of performance remedies in place at six Operable Units (OUs) on Fort Wainwright, Alaska (OUs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6). ADEC does not concur with the protectiveness determinations in the final FYR report. Erica Blake
10/29/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC provided responses to comments for the "Draft 2020 Monitoring Report Operable Unit 4 U.S. Army Garrison Alaska" (dated July 2021) to the U.S. Army. In addition to receiving the RTCs on October 22, 2021, a letter with the intent of dissolving the 1997 Memorandum of Understanding between ADEC Contaminated Sites Program, ADEC Solid Waste Program and the U.S. Army was also received. A comment backcheck is needed for several comments prior to providing approval for the report. Erica Blake
12/17/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC provided approval for the Final 2020 Monitoring Report Operable Unit 4 U.S. Army Garrison Alaska (dated December 2021) to the U.S. Army. This report provides documentation, evaluation, and a data quality review for groundwater samples collected from the Fort Wainwright landfill. In addition to groundwater monitoring activities, an institutional controls (IC) inspection was conducted. Erica Blake
3/18/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC provided review comments for the "Draft 2022 CERCLA Sites Work Plan Operable Units 1 through 6" Fort Wainwright, Alaska, U.S. Army Garrison Alaska (dated February 2022) to the U.S. Army. The document describes proposed site activities to collect data and evaluate progress towards achieving remedial action objectives (RAOs) at six Operable Unit sites on Fort Wainwright, Alaska (FWA). This work plan is intended for use in conjunction with the "Draft Fort Wainwright Environmental Investigations and Monitoring Postwide Quality Assurance Program Plan Fort Wainwright, Alaska" (dated December 2021). The post wide work plan is still in review and at the time of this review has not yet been approved. Erica Blake
5/12/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC provided review comments for the "Draft 2021 Monitoring Report Operable Unit 4, U.S. Army Garrison Alaska" (dated March 2022) to the U.S. Army. The report discusses results from the 2021 sampling at the Fort Wainwright OU4 Landfill. The contaminant trends were evaluated and are comparable to previous years. There were no changes recommended for the sampling program in 2022. Tim Sharp
5/24/2022 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved ADEC approved transport of approximately 247 gallons of purge water generated from long-term monitoring activities conducted in 2021 (from Neely Rd - Two-Party Site, OU1, OU2-DRMO1 & DRMO4, OU4, OU5-WQFS & EQFS, and OU6) from Fort Wainwright Bldg 3491 to U.S. Ecology in Grand View, Idaho. Erica Blake
5/24/2022 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved ADEC approved transport of approximately 132 gallons of purge water generated from long-term monitoring activities conducted in 2021 (OU2 DRMO Yard - Two-Party Site, OU3 Fairbanks Fuel Terminal, OU4, and OU6) from Fort Wainwright Building 3491 to U.S. Ecology in Grand View, Idaho for treatment and disposal. Erica Blake
7/27/2022 Update or Other Action DEC Solid Waste, the Army, and DEC Contaminated Sites approved a request to modify the existing Memorandum of Understanding. The modification involves sampling additional groundwater wells that are deemed beneficial to the Solid Waste Monitoring Program. The groundwater requirements of 18 AAC 60 will be met through this separate program. The Army will continue to manage other groundwater monitoring through the Federal Facilities Agreement, which concerns the Contaminated Sites Program more specifically. Tim Sharp
7/29/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC approved the Final OU4 Groundwater Monitoring Report. The report details long-term groundwater monitoring activities at the Fort Wainwright (FWA) Landfill. This report provides documentation, evaluation, and a data quality review for groundwater samples collected from the FWA landfill. Groundwater samples were collected from 10 wells in August and 7 wells in October of the 2021 field season. All groundwater samples were analyzed for volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs), 1,4-dioxane, total metals, dissolved iron, and sulfate. Contaminant trends were comparable to previous years, and the report recommends continued groundwater monitoring without any changes to the sampling program. Tim Sharp
1/30/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed the Draft OU4 Landfill Drilling and Soil Temperature Borehole Installation Work Plan, which details a proposed approach for drilling three boreholes to monitor current and future soil temperatures to the west of the OU4 landfill. Soil temperature measurements will be used to monitor potential permafrost degradation at the site. Investigation-derived waste, such as drill cuttings and water used for decontamination will be sampled and analyzed for 1,4-dioxane, volatile and semi-volatile organic carbons (VOCs, SVOCs), RCRA metals, and PFAS. DEC submitted comments on the work plan to be addressed. Tim Sharp
6/30/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC found all responses to the OU4 Landfill Drilling and Soil Temperature Borehole Installation Work Plan acceptable, and approved the final work plan on this date. Tim Sharp
9/11/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed the Draft 2022 Institutional Controls (IC) Report, which details the 2022 IC inspections conducted at Fort Wainwright, Alaska (FWA). The purpose of the annual IC inspection is to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of ICs associated with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Record of Decision (ROD) source areas and Two-Party source areas on FWA. Tim Sharp
2/22/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC completed a review of the Draft 2024 CERCLA Sites Work Plan for Operable Units 1-6. The work plan details proposed site activities to collect data and evaluate progress towards achieving remedial action objectives (RAOs) at six Operable Unit (OUs) sites on Fort Wainwright, Alaska (FWA). In addition to sampling, institutional controls inspections will be conducted at all six OU sites. This work plan is intended for use in conjunction with the Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) included in the document as Appendix A, and includes additional sampling as part of preparation for the Sixth Five Year Review, to be accomplished in 2025. Tim Sharp
3/5/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the Final 2022 Monitoring Report for Operable Unit 4 on this date. Tim Sharp
4/8/2024 Institutional Control Periodic Reporting DEC Approved the 2022 IC Report for Fort Wainwright CERCLA and Two-Party Sites on this day. Tim Sharp
5/21/2024 Long Term Monitoring Workplan or Report Review DEC approved the 2024 CERCLA Sites Work Plan on this date. Tim Sharp
6/10/2024 Institutional Control Periodic Reporting DEC reviewed and supplied comments on the Draft 2023 Institutional Controls (IC) Report, which details the 2023 IC inspections conducted at Fort Wainwright, Alaska (FWA). The purpose of the annual IC inspection is to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of ICs associated with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Record of Decision (ROD) source areas and Two-Party source areas on FWA. Tim Sharp
9/24/2024 Update or Other Action The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has reviewed the responses to comments (RTCs) for the Draft Document 2023 Monitoring Report Operable Unit 4, Fort Wainwright, AK Dated May 2024 which details which details the long-term groundwater monitoring activities at the Fort Wainwright Landfill, Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The 2023 field efforts included groundwater sampling of Landfill wells and completion of the annual IC inspection. This report provides documentation, evaluation, and a data quality review of data gathered during the summer and fall sampling events. DEC reviewed the Army's RTCs and returned comment on 9/24/2024. Carly Jensen

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation GroundwaterSoil
Trichloroethene > Table C SoilGroundwater
Benzene > Table C SoilGroundwater
Dichloroethene > Table C Groundwater
Vinyl chloride > Table C Groundwater
Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate > Table C Groundwater
1,1,2-Trichloroethane > Table C Groundwater

Control Type

Type Details
Federal or State Agency GIS Database Note
Land Use Plan / Maps / Base Master Plan

Requirements

Description Details
Excavation / Soil Movement Restrictions
Groundwater Monitoring
Groundwater Use Restrictions
Maintenance / Inspection Of Engineering Controls Integrity of landfill cap will be inspected at least once a year
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.
Hazard ID Site Name File Number
25741 Fort Wainwright (OU-4) Landfill Garage Bldg 1191 108.38.070.04

Missing Location Data

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State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

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