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Site Report: Columbus Distributing - E. 1st Ave.

Site Name: Columbus Distributing - E. 1st Ave.
Address: 1845 East 1st Avenue, at North Sitka Street, Anchorage, AK 99501
File Number: 2100.38.370
Hazard ID: 1200
Status: Cleanup Complete - Institutional Controls
Staff: IC Unit, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 61.221898
Longitude: -149.846659
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

A 1,000 gallon regulated waste oil tank containing diesel leaked and contaminated 15 cubic yards of soil. Additional information regarding this release can be found in the UST database “Columbus Distributing”, Reckey:  1991210024601, Event ID 1770. This site addresses CS issues related to the release after the UST removal. The Underground Storage Tank area was closed on December 11, 2003. A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment of the former Above Ground Storage Tank and Drum area revealed that soil and groundwater in this area exceeds Departmental cleanup levels. UST removal was done by S and S Engineering, who, at the time, was not qualified with an approved QAPP, to perform LUST removal per 18.AAC75. Shannon and Wilson became involved when UST grants for cleanup were denied by the UST program due to lack of a QAPP qualified contractor doing the work. A Shannon and Wilson closure assessment report, received 2/18/92 and a closure assessment dated March 6, 1992 are currently under review. The original files containing all the information from S and S Engineering was resurrected after an extensive search since no file with a spill # and file number had been opened, pending receipt of a qualified report. Completion of review expected by COB 4/8/92 barring any site complicating factors. Brief overview completed week of 3/23/92. Previous staff assigned were Olson and D. Pikul.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
4/3/1992 Site Added to Database Waste oil tank containing diesel leaked. LUST aspects of site worked on in LUST DB as Event ID 1770, Reckey 1991210024601. Former Staff
12/14/1992 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Multiple Sources and Surface Water Exposure Index Values changed. Former Staff
6/15/1993 Update or Other Action Site closure this date rescinded. Former Staff
8/24/1999 Update or Other Action ADEC issued a comment letter responding to RP request for an NFA, ADEC will not consider this site for NFA without verification of the completed soil remediation at ASR and additional analysis of the groundwater beneath the site. David Pikul
11/2/1999 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Quantity Value changed from 2 to 2.1. Population Density Value changed from 8 to 10. GW Exposure Index Value changed from 0.4 to 1. David Pikul
11/18/1999 Update or Other Action ADEC issued a comment letter requesting workplan submittal. This is the second request. David Pikul
6/28/2000 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Release investigation workplan approved. David Pikul
11/20/2000 Update or Other Action ADEC telephoned Shannon and Wilson requesting an update on the release investigation. According to S&W, the RP has not given his approval to conduct the work. David Pikul
6/7/2001 Update or Other Action Release Investigation Report submitted to ADEC. Beatrice Egbejimba
8/28/2001 Update or Other Action Comments regarding report sent to consultant and RP. Beatrice Egbejimba
9/6/2001 Update or Other Action Shannon and Wilson submits response to ADEC comments sent on 8/28/01. Beatrice Egbejimba
12/6/2001 Update or Other Action ADEC sends letter to RP requesting additional site characterization and installation of two monitoring wells down gradient of former excavation. Beatrice Egbejimba
1/2/2002 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC met with Matt Hemry and Bill Columbus. Consultant requested clarification on the need for additional wells. Explanation was given and possible locations were discussed. Work plan should be submitted to ADEC by the end of the month. Egbejimba, Pexton and Weimer represented ADEC. Beatrice Egbejimba
3/8/2002 Update or Other Action Approval was sent to Bill Columbus and Samia for the work plan received by ADEC on February 5 2002. The work plan addressed all the issues raised in ADEC's December 6, 2001 letter. Beatrice Egbejimba
3/8/2002 Update or Other Action Cost recovery letter sent to Bill Columbus. Beatrice Egbejimba
3/19/2002 Update or Other Action ADEC approved on-site changes made to the locations of B4MW and B5MW, based on information contained in letter report faxed 3/19/02. Beatrice Egbejimba
9/30/2002 Site Characterization Report Approved Letter sent to William Columbus with ADEC approval of Release Investigation report. Approval is subject to the excavation of near-surface contamination from the West side of the property. Beatrice Egbejimba
10/7/2002 Update or Other Action Changed RP address and phone number from 3900 Arctic Boulevard Suite 104, Anchorage AK 99503, 907-277-0531, to 1813 East 1st Avenue, Suite 201, Anchorage, AK 99501-1860, 907-562-0242. Elizabeth Stergiou
10/31/2002 Update or Other Action ADEC received letter from Department of Law indicating that a check on behalf of ADEC was received from Columbus Distributing for cost recovery ($338.45). Beatrice Egbejimba
11/12/2002 Update or Other Action Matt Hemry of Shannon & Wilson called November 12, 2002 to ask for an extention on our request for a workplan to remove contaminated soil from certain areas on the property. An extention was granted for workplan to be sent in by December 30, 2002. Beatrice Egbejimba
12/27/2002 Update or Other Action ADEC received Limited Interim Removal Action work plan. Beatrice Egbejimba
1/16/2003 Interim Removal Action Approved ADEC reviewed a Limited Interim Removal Action work plan for this site and sent a letter approving proposed field activity and transportation of any contaminated soil derived from this investigation. Proposed removal will start from Monitoring Well B2 MW and Hand Borings HB1 and HB5. The removal will move outward as determined necessary by field screening results. Monitoring Well B2 MW will also be decommissioned. Beatrice Egbejimba
1/23/2003 Update or Other Action ADEC received letter from Department of Law indicating that a check on behalf of ADEC was received from Columbus Distributing for cost recovery ($227.07). Beatrice Egbejimba
5/16/2003 Update or Other Action ADEC received letter from Department of Law indicating that a check on behalf of ADEC was received from Columbus Distributing for cost recovery ($259.50). Beatrice Egbejimba
11/3/2003 Update or Other Action Limited Removal Action report received by ADEC. Beatrice Egbejimba
12/10/2003 Interim Removal Action Approved ADEC has reviewed the Limited Soil Removal at the site. Approximately 200 cubic yards of impacted soil was removed. Monitoring well B2MW was destroyed during the removal. Excavated soil was transported to Alaska Soil Recycling for remediation. Beatrice Egbejimba
12/11/2003 Cleanup Level(s) Approved ADEC has reviewed the site information presented to date and evaluated the various pathways that might exist at the subject site. Since the migration to groundwater pathway is considered to be complete and it is the most stringent of the other pathways (ingestion; inhalation), a soil cleanup level of 250 mg/kg DRO is established for this site. Even though the shallow groundwater may not be currently used as a drinking water source, this decision is considered protective of the shallow groundwater and is intended to prevent migration of the contaminants off site and/or to a deeper drinking water aquifer. Beatrice Egbejimba
12/11/2003 Record of Decision The clean up actions to date indicate that the soil cleanup level of 250 mg/kg DRO and the groundwater cleanup level of 1.5 mg/L DRO have been achieved. Therefore, ADEC has determined that the Columbus Distributing site located at 1849 East 1st Avenue site does not pose a risk to human health or the environment and will be closed subject to the following conditions: 1. All groundwater monitor wells located on site must be decommissioned in accordance with 18 AAC 75.345 (i) 2. The certificates of disposal for non-hazardous contaminated soil transported to ASR must be submitted as soon as they are available. 3. If future information indicates contamination levels are present at the site that may pose a risk to human health, safety, welfare or the environment, then additional assessment and/or cleanup work may be required. Beatrice Egbejimba
12/11/2003 Site Closure Approved The clean up actions to date indicate that the soil cleanup level of 250 mg/kg DRO and the groundwater cleanup level of 1.5 mg/L DRO have been achieved. Therefore, ADEC has determined that the Columbus Distributing site located at 1849 East 1st Avenue site does not pose a risk to human health or the environment and will be closed. The clean up actions to date indicate that the soil cleanup level of 250 mg/kg DRO and the groundwater cleanup level of 1.5 mg/L DRO have been achieved. Therefore, ADEC has determined that the Columbus Distributing site located at 1849 East 1st Avenue site does not pose a risk to human health or the environment and will be closed. Beatrice Egbejimba
2/4/2004 Update or Other Action ADEC received letter from Department of Law indicating that a check on behalf of ADEC was received from Columbus Distributing for cost recovery ($800.10). Beatrice Egbejimba
2/6/2004 Update or Other Action File number changed from CS/L55.147 to 2100.38.370. Sarah Cunningham
10/4/2005 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Contaminated soil was recently discovered near a former above ground storage tank and drum storage area. Approved a work plan to advance four soil borings and install two monitoring wells to determine nature and extent of contamination at former AST and drum storage area. Todd Blessing
1/13/2006 Update or Other Action Reviewed limited Phase II Site Assessment. During the Phase II Site Assessment, Shannon and Wilson Inc. conducted a floor drain assessment and advanced two soil borings near two former ASTs and abandoned drums. During the floor drain assessment, a dye test was performed to confirm that the floor drain was connected to the public sanitary sewer system. A soil sample was collected from each soil boring to be analyzed for petroleum constituents. The levels of diesel range organics exceeded Department cleanup levels in both soil samples collected. Todd Blessing
1/18/2006 Update or Other Action Reviewed site characterization activities report. Four soil borings were advanced, two groundwater monitoring wells installed, and soil and groundwater samples were collected during the site characterization of the fomer AST and drum storage area. The levels of petroleum constituents in soil and groundwater exceeded the Department's most stringent cleanup levels. Shannon and Wilson Inc. has estimated that approximately 2,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil remains near the formerAST and drum storage area, which is located on teh northeast corner of the property. Submitted letter to responsible party requesting that a limited site investigation work plan be submitted to the Department for review by May 26, 2006. The work plan should define the means and methods to advance one to two soil borings to delineate the extent of soil and groundwater contamination. Todd Blessing
3/10/2006 Update or Other Action Issued letter to Crowley Maritime Corporation informing Steven Wilson that the Department has determined that Crowley Maritime Corporation is a responsible party for the contamination associated with the former Columbus Distributing Facility. Informed Steven Wilson of the Department's need to cost recover. The other aspect of this letter informed Mr. Wilson that the Department has reviewed a work plan, dated February 27, 2004, to conduct a site characterization at 1845 East 1st Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska. Within the work plan, Shannon and Wilson Inc. proposes to advance one soil boring, install a monitor well, survey relative elevations of on-site monitor wells, and collect soil and groundwater samples to be analyzed for petroleum constituents. The monitor well is slated to be installed on the northern edge of the facility. A second groundwater monitoring event is scheduled to occur 6 months after the initial sampling activities. At this time, the Department approves of the Site Characterization Work Plan provided Shannon and Wilson Inc. conducts a third party verification of soil and groundwater analytical laboratory data according to Section 8.0 of the Department’s Underground Storage Tank Procedures Manual. The Department recommends that following the completion of the site characterization report, Mr. Wilson schedule a meeting with the Department in order to discuss the site characterization results and what, if any, further study is needed for the Department to evaluate whether the anaytical data justifies a conditional closure determination. Todd Blessing
3/10/2006 Update or Other Action Issued letter to Crowley Maritime Corporation informing Steven Wilson that the Department has determined that Crowley Maritime Corporation is a responsible party for the contamination associated with the former Columbus Distributing Facility. Informed Steven Wilson of the Department's need to cost recover. The other aspect of this letter informed Mr. Wilson that the Department has reviewed a work plan, dated February 27, 2004, to conduct a site characterization at 1845 East 1st Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska. Within the work plan, Shannon and Wilson Inc. proposes to advance one soil boring, install a monitor well, survey relative elevations of on-site monitor wells, and collect soil and groundwater samples to be analyzed for petroleum constituents. The monitor well is slated to be installed on the northern edge of the facility. A second groundwater monitoring event is scheduled to occur 6 months after the initial sampling activities. At this time, the Department approves of the Site Characterization Work Plan provided Shannon and Wilson Inc. conducts a third party verification of soil and groundwater analytical laboratory data according to Section 8.0 of the Department’s Underground Storage Tank Procedures Manual. The Department recommends that following the completion of the site characterization report, Mr. Wilson schedule a meeting with the Department in order to discuss the site characterization results and what, if any, further study is needed for the Department to evaluate whether the anaytical data justifies a conditional closure determination. Todd Blessing
6/6/2006 Update or Other Action Reviewed the Work Plan, dated February 27, 2006, for a limited site investigation at Former Columbus Distributing Facility. Within the Work Plan, Shannon and Wilson Inc. proposes to advance one soil boring, install a monitor well, collect soil and groundwater samples, and evaluate groundwater flow direction. Groundwater samples will be collected during the initial investigation and 6 months following the initial investigation. Soil and groundwater samples will be analyzed for GRO, DRO, and BTEX. At this time, the Department approves of the Work Plan as written under the following conditions: The analysis, and reporting of soil analytical data will be conducted in accordance with ADEC’s Underground Storage Tank Procedures Manual – Standard Sampling Procedures, November 7, 2002; Shannon and Wilson Inc. will conduct a third party verification of soil and groundwater analytical laboratory data quality according to Section 8.0 of the Department’s Underground Storage Tank Procedures Manual; Groundwater samples will be collected in triplicate from one monitor well instead of in duplicate. The replicate groundwater samples will be submitted to the analytical laboratory “blind”; and Soil samples will be collected from each split spoon during the advancement of the soil boring to be analyzed for GRO, DRO, and BTEX. Collected soil samples should be representative of the entire split spoon, therefore, the soil samples should be collected by scrapping the entire split spoon soil core from top to bottom Todd Blessing
7/12/2006 Update or Other Action Reviewed site characterization report, dated July 6, 2006. A monitoring well (MW-8) was installed on the northern edge of the facility near the an Alaska Railroad Spurr in order to delineate the extent of diesel contamination on the property. The levels of petroleum constituents detected in soil and groundwater samples did not exceed the Department's most stringent cleanup levels. Todd Blessing
12/5/2006 Conditional Closure Approved The soil and groundwater at the Columbus Distributing Facility has been impacted from past releases of petroleum hydrocarbons near a former AST and drum storage area. GRO, DRO, benzene levels exceed the 18 AAC 75 migration to groundwater cleanup levels in some areas of the site but not at levels that exceed ingestion and inhalation levels considered protective of human health. The groundwater at the Columbus Distributing Facility exceeds the 18 AAC 75.345 Table C levels for DRO. However, the groundwater is not used as a drinking water source and the nature of the contamination is stable and/or decreasing. Based on this current information, ADEC is amending the December 2003 record of decision to recognize that contamination is present on this site above established 18 AAC 75 cleanup levels. The nature and extent of the contamination has been evaluated and the decision is that the contamination does not pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment subject to site specific conditions. Todd Blessing
12/5/2006 Institutional Control Record Established any proposal to excavate or transport soil or groundwater from this property requires ADEC approval in accordance with 18 AAC 75.325(i); groundwater use at the site is prohibited unless ADEC reviews and approves its use; groundwater shall be monitored in accordance with 18 AAC 75.345(h) to ensure contamination is decreasing. A groundwater monitor plan shall be submitted for ADEC review and approval; Todd Blessing
2/26/2007 Long Term Monitoring Established Conditionally approved Shannon and Wilson's long term groundwater monitoring plan, dated February 14, 2007. Shannon and Wilson personnel will monitor groundwater elevation data and the levels of petroleum constituents in groundwater from on-site monitor wells on a variable schedule over a 5-year period. Groundwater monitoring will be conducted semi-annually in 2007 and then annually thereafter. Groundwater samples will be analyzed for GRO/BTEX and DRO for the first two monitor events. If the levels of GRO/BTEX are in a state of decline and do not exceed ADEC cleanup levels, groundwater samples will be analyzed for DRO only in subsequent monitor events. Purge water will initially be stored in 55 gallon drums and stored on-site. At this time, ADEC approves of the long-term monitoring plan for the subject site as proposed by Shannon and Wilson provided the following occurs: Groundwater samples collected from monitor wells B4MW and B6MW will be analyzed for volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method 8260B during the first monitor event and in subsequent monitor events if requested by ADEC; ADEC’s laboratory data review checklist will be completed for each laboratory data deliverable and submitted with each groundwater monitor report; and ADEC will be notified prior to discharging purge water to the ground surface Todd Blessing
7/27/2007 Update or Other Action April 2007 Groundwater monitoring results were recieved on July 17, 2007. The levels of disolved DRO in monitor wells B4MW and B7MW exceeded 18 AAC 75.345 Table C value of 1.5 mg/L. No other contaminants of concern exceeded cleanup levels. Todd Blessing
2/14/2008 Update or Other Action DEC staff reviewed a report titled “Groundwater Monitoring, 1845 East 1st Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska.” This report was prepared by Shannon and Wilson (S&W), dated December 14, 2007, and received at DEC’s Anchorage Office on December 14, 2007. This report presents results of groundwater sampling events at the subject site in the spring and fall of 2007. DRO and tetrachloroethylene (TCE) were detected in groundwater samples above DEC's groundwater cleanup values. A letter dated February 14, 2008 was submited to Stephen Wilson informing him that that testing for GRO/BTEX is no longer required. In addition, the testing of DRO is not required for monitor wells B1MW and B3MW. However, due to the detection of TCE above DEC cleanup values in monitor wells MW-4 and MW-6, DEC requests that all monitor wells be sampled for volatile organic compounds during future monitor events. The next monitoring event should be conducted during the summer of 2008. Todd Blessing
4/4/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed. Todd Blessing
2/24/2009 Update or Other Action DEC staff reviewed Shannon and Wilson’s (S&W's) “Groundwater Monitoring, 1845 East 1st Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska”, Dated January 29, 2009. This report presents results of the 2008 groundwater sampling event at the subject site. Groundwater samples were collected from monitoring wells B1MW, B3MW, B4MW, B6MW, B7MW, and B8MW. DRO was detected in wells B4MW, B6MW, B7MW, and B8MW and in these samples ranged from 0.414 to 1.61 mg/L. Trichloroethylene (TCE) was detected in wells B1MW, B3MW, B4MW, B6MW, and B7MW and in these samples ranged from 0.00122 to 0.117 mg/L. Due to inconsistent groundwater elevation data, Shannon and Wilson (S&W) recommended that all monitoring wells be resurveyed. DEC issued a letter on February 24, 2009 to Mr. Stephen Wilson requesting that the monitoring wells be resurveyed and anlayzed for GRO and VOCs during the next groundwater monitoring event. Todd Blessing
1/11/2010 Update or Other Action DEC staff has reviewed Shannon and Wilson’s “Groundwater Monitoring, 1845 East 1st Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska”, Dated December 22, 2009. This report presents results of the 2009 groundwater sampling event at the subject site. Groundwater samples were collected from monitoring wells B1MW, B3MW, B4MW, B6MW, B7MW, and B8MW for contaminants of concern. DRO was detected in wells B4MW at levels that exceeded 18AAC 75.345 Table C levels. In addition, trichloroethylene (TCE) was detected in wells B3MW, B6MW, B7MW, B8MW, and B7MW at levels that exceeded 18AAC 75.345 Table C levels. Shannon and Wilson (S&W) resurveyed all groundwater monitoring wells and determined that groundwater flows north. Todd Blessing
1/4/2011 Update or Other Action DEC staff reveiwed Shannon and Wilson's "Groundwater Monitoring, 1845 East 1st Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska." Dated December 29, 2010. In this report, Shannon and Wilson (S&W) provided 2010 groundwater monitoring results for the subject site. Groundwater samples were collected from monitoring wells B3MW, B4MW, and B6MW on September 13, 2010 and were analyzed for GRO, DRO, and VOCs. Groundwater elevations were recorded and the survey suggested groundwater flowed northwest. The levels of dissolved GRO, TCE, and benzene were similar to prior sampling events. Todd Blessing
4/11/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC staff reviewed Shannon and Wilson’s “Groundwater Monitoring, 1845 East 1st Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska”, Dated December 30, 2011. This report presents results of the 2011 groundwater sampling event. Groundwater samples were collected from monitoring wells B4MW, and B6MW for contaminants of concern. Groundwater samples could not be collected from well B3MW due to an obstruction at roughly 4.45 feet below ground surface. DRO was detected in well B4MW at a level (i.e. 1.64 mg/L) that exceeded 18AAC 75.345 Table C levels. In addition, trichloroethylene (TCE) was detected in well B6MW, at a level of 0.00845 mg/L, which exceeds 18AAC 75.345 Table C level of 0.005 mg/L. Staff issued a letter on April 11, 2012 requesting that monitoring well MW-3 be repaired during the next annual groundwater sampling event. Todd Blessing
6/5/2012 Institutional Control Update DEC staff has recently reviewed the administrative file for the subject site. Groundwater data collected since 2008 has documented a stable trend in dissolved groundwater contaminants. Based on this review, DEC is no longer requiring long term groundwater monitoring. A letter was issued on May 14, 2012 informing the responsible party of this change in IC status. Todd Blessing
7/24/2012 Update or Other Action DEC staff approved of Shannon and Wilson's July 18, 2012 request to decommission monitoring wells B2MW and B5MW. Todd Blessing
8/29/2012 Update or Other Action DEC staff reviewed and approved of Shannon and Wilson's report documenting the decommissioning of well B5MW. Todd Blessing
6/6/2013 Long Term Monitoring Complete Administrative action added during a quality control check. Kristin Thompson
11/28/2022 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC compliance completed on this date. A letter will be issued to the landowner reminding them of the remaining institutional controls. Evonne Reese
6/7/2024 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC compliance review completed on this date. An IC reminder letter was issued to the landowner. The next review will be in five years’ time. Gaige Robinson

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
Benzene Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil
GRO Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil
DRO Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil
DRO > Table C Groundwater

Control Type

Type Details
CS Database Notation And Letter To Landowner/RP

Requirements

Description Details
Groundwater Use Restrictions Groundwater use at the site is prohibited unless ADEC reviews and approves its use.
Excavation / Soil Movement Restrictions Any proposal to excavate or transport soil or groundwater from this property requires ADEC approval in accordance with 18 AAC 75.325(i)

No associated sites were found.

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