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Site Report: 84th Avenue and Spruce Street

Site Name: 84th Avenue and Spruce Street
Address: 3494 East 84th Avenue, SE Corner with Spruce Street, Anchorage, AK 99507
File Number: 2100.38.188
Hazard ID: 1222
Status: Cleanup Complete - Institutional Controls
Staff: IC Unit, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 61.144972
Longitude: -149.816389
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

Multiple-source soil contamination from site activities related to salvaging lead and copper from batteries, transformers, electronic circuitry in a residential neighborhood. Lead salvage included on-site smelting. Owner/operator deceased and site was part of an estate that became the property of the Municipality of Anchorage through foreclosure. Reported to ADEC and US EPA 4/25/91. Identified wastes included PCBs, waste oil and asbestos. Initially dioxin was suspected but ruled out. EPA conducted a removal action under CERCLA with oversight functions including holding public meetings and developing and implementing a community relations plan that included distributing flyers and regularly updated FAQ sheets. EPA also approved capping of the property with clean soil. ADEC oversight of remaining contamination began after settlement between EPA, ADEC and responsible parties in May 1997. The site was made into a municipality park following removal and capping activities, with later excavation of contaminated soil used as the core of a sledding hill within the property.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
4/25/1991 Site Visit ADEC representative Bill Lamoreaux and Dave Mengel of Quest Environmental inspected the site on this date. They were contacted by realtor Bill Taylor regarding an environmental audit of the site following the death of the owner. The property comprises 10 acres and is for sale. Junkyard covers an estimated (1) acre of the property. A stream runs through an undisturbed area of the property near the incinerator. Photographic chemicals in shed; containers broken by vandals. Slag around lead smelter several feet deep. Pooled surface water on-site. Bill Lamoreaux
4/29/1991 Update or Other Action Phase I Environmental Audit by Quest Environmental dated 4/29/1991 received by DEC on 6/21/1991. The Contaminated Sites Program received the report for the first time from DEC Drinking Water/Waste Water Program on 12/28/1998. The Phase I audit took place on 4/30/1991 based on date-stamped photographs included in the report, and entailed observation of existing conditions at the facility, interviews with the current owner or representative, and record search with DEC to determine if previous spill history existed. No sampling or analysis of any substance or media was done. Findings: According to the consultant ADEC had no record of releases at the property. Stained soil was observed throughout the property and oil sheens were observed in standing water. Present at the site were battery casings, possible PCB-containing transformers, and over 250 steel drums described primarily as empty, although not all have been found within the debris piles and not all have been checked. Eileen Olson
5/9/1991 Site Added to Database Battery acid, lead, dioxins. Former Staff
6/1/1991 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Prospective buyer contracted with Quest Environmental to perform a Phase II environmental audit. PCB detected at 38,600 ppm in surface soils. Asbestos containing materials present. TPH in surface soils ranged from 591 ppm to 850 ppm. Lead slag debris not sampled. Former Staff
7/1/1991 Notice of Violation ADEC sent a letter dated 7/1/91 to Mr. Billy G. Clayton, personal representative of the estate, to construct an 8 foot chain link fence around the junk yard. Warning signs every 50 feet. Fence to be constructed by 7/11/91. Assessment work plan to be submitted by 7/19/91 accompanied by a QAPP. Former Staff
7/16/1991 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. Former Staff
3/1/1992 Interim Removal Action Approved Alternative Water Supply offered to area residents. A second drinking water well was found to have levels of arsenic above Federal Drinking water standards and bottled water was offered as an option by EPA. Former Staff
3/1/1992 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAU - Remedial Actions Underway (General)). This and previous action submitted without funding source information or status comments. Former Staff
3/1/1992 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SA2 - Phase II Site Assessment (General)). Former Staff
6/9/1993 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Site re-ranked during interview with Carl Lautenburger of EPA. Quantity changed to 3, Site Access Value changed to 0, Air Exposure Index Value changed to .1, Population Density Value changed to 10, GW Usage Value changed to 0.8, GW Exposure Index Value changed to 4, and SW Exposure Index Value changed to 0. Former Staff
8/11/1994 Update or Other Action Rec'd "Phase II Environmental Assessment, 84th Avenue and Spruce Street, August 1994" by Shannon & Wilson prepared for the Municipality of Anchorage to determine soil contaminant conditions adjacent to Superfund site along proposed storm drain to be installed approx. 3 feet off centerline of 84th and Spruce. Four soil borings were made to determine soil and groundwater conditions and three surface soil samples were collected to evaluate the road surface. Elevated lead levels as determined by the TCLP were found in one sample that would characterize the soil as hazardous waste when excavated. Chlorinated hydrocarbons (HVOs) were also present at concentrations above the ADEC cleanup level of 0.1 mg/Kg, with 1,1,1-trichloroethane concentrations in three samples at levels aof 0.23, 0.15 and 0.16 ppm). Note: report marked "Draft" but no final rec'd, as is typical. Eileen Olson
10/25/1994 Update or Other Action Date of submittal "Disposal of Waste Soils from 84th Avenue and Spruce Street Assessment, Anchorage, Alaska" by Shannon & Wilson requesting approval by ADEC to dispose of an estimated 1-2 cubic yds. of waste soils generated during assessment activities. The proposed disposal contractor is Alaska Pollution Control. Approval granted 10/31/1994. Eileen Olson
10/31/1994 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved ADEC approved disposal of investigation derived waste (an estimated 1-2 cubic yds.) requested on 10/25/1994. Eileen Olson
6/28/1995 Update or Other Action Investigational waste disposal documentation dated 6/28/1995 rec'd July 1, 1995 "Disposal of Waste Soils from 84th Avenue and Spruce Street Assessment" by Shannon & Wilson; documents the disposal of 0.37 tons of waste soil at the Anchorage Regional Landfill with attached invoice/scale receipt, etc. Eileen Olson
9/10/1996 Update or Other Action Rec'd by fax "Spruce Street Cleanup Statement of Work, September 1996" from Municipality of Anchorage MOA/EPA liason Marcia Combes with attached "Treatability Study Workplan, Stabilization of Lead Contaminated Soil, Spruce Street Site" dated July 26, 1996, prepared by Golder Assoc. (not previously rec'd by Contaminated Sites Program). The workplan describes the process to be used to evaluate the suitability of using a soil cement mixture to stabilize the lead contaminated soil at the Spruce Street Site. Eileen Olson
9/19/1996 Update or Other Action Reviewed and approved treatability study workplan received on 9/10/1996 at request of Leroy Latta of the Attorney General's Office in anticipation of his meeting of Sept. 27, 1996. Eileen Olson
12/10/1996 Update or Other Action Receipt by ADEC of "Treatability Study" dated 12/10/1996 for solidification of lead contaminated soil. Subsequently, MOA withdrew its request that ADEC review the study as other alternatives appeared to be superior. Eileen Olson
12/13/1996 Update or Other Action EPA fact sheet: final cleanup anticipated by mid-summer of 1997; cleanup completed includes removal and disposal of all PCB contaminated soil, hookup of two residences to city water, and solid waste removal. Next step disposition of lead contaminated soil. Eileen Olson
4/25/1997 Update or Other Action AGO attorney for ADEC signed "Agreement for Payment of Response Costs, Docket No. 10-96-0090-CERCLA" that apportions the repayment of costs to EPA and State through the date the agreement was signed. Parties to the agreement are EPA, the Attorney General for the State, the Municipality of Anchorage ("the Settling Party"), and four federal agencies, ("the Settling Federal Agencies). This document references as Attachment C "Removal Completion AOC" described as EPA's Adminstrative Order on Consent for Removal Action issued to the Settling Party on September 11, 1996; however the copy provided to the Contaminated Sites Program does not include attachments. Eileen Olson
1/15/1998 Update or Other Action ADEC Commissioner Michele Brown executed the release of a lien held by the Department against the properties owned by the Estate of Henry C. Wiley. This followed full reimbursement to the Department of its response costs as part of a US EPA settlement. Eileen Olson
5/15/1998 Update or Other Action Rec'd Golder report: "FInal Report: Lead and PCB Removal Action, Spruce Street, Anchorage, Alaska, May 15, 1998". The report describes removal actions completed during the summer and fall of 1997 under the Muni/USEPA consent order, and documents the results of soil sampling, observations, and on-scene coordination during the excavation and removal of contaminated soil. Eileen Olson
5/28/1998 Meeting or Teleconference Held The Municipality of Anchorage hosted a meeting for stakeholders participating in cleanup of the site to discuss work accomplished under the Muni/USEPA consent order removal actions, as well as any other work that may ber necessary to obtain final closure of the site. Ron Klein of ADEC attended, and noted that based on the presentation it appeared that removal objectives for lead and PCBs have been met. The MOA will be working on plans to cover the excavated areas with clean fill. The federal prp representative will be talking with Dept of Justice about contributing funding for the cover. After the cover is placed the fence will probably be removed, except for the portion that the adjacent landowner has asked for. The 10 acre property that includes the western lot (contaminated) and eastern lot (forested, not contaminated)is planned by the MOA for development as a ballfield. The western portion which has been the focus of the removal action is planned to be used as a parking lot. Once the MOA gets their plans firmed up they will probably be requesting ADEC issue a closure letter which will require institutional controls. Ron Klein
5/28/1998 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC review of "Lead and PCB Removal Action" dated May 15, 1998 by Golder Associates. Document reviewed for meeting of same date. Ron Klein
6/19/1998 Update or Other Action EPA letter to Jim Pfieffer of the Municipality of Anchorage outlining agreements made between ADEC and others during a meeting of May 28, 1998: agreements included adding a clean soil cap at least a foot thick over the site, with the fence around the site approved for removal as soon as the cap is in place and additional progress reports during the capping process requested. Ron Klein attended the meeting as the ADEC representative. Eileen Olson
10/29/1998 Update or Other Action ADC received Golder Associates Inc., October 29, 1998, "Interim Field Report - One Foot Soil Cover Activities,Spruce Street Superfund Site, Anchorage, Alaska." Eileen Olson
2/22/2000 Update or Other Action ADEC letter from Larry Dietrick, SPAR Director, responding to public inquiry regarding the status of the site. Response states that the Dept. has been reimbursed in full for costs expended in cleanup and released its lien on the property in a release executed on january 15, 1998, but does not maintain records on the ownership status of the property. Eileen Olson
8/18/2005 Update or Other Action Discussion with Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) consultant Golder Associates the MOA plan to reconstruct several miles of roadbed along Spruce Street and 84th Avenue, including the streets adjacent to the Spruce Street site. Arranged a meeting to take place on Sept. 1st to discuss removal of peat and other materials that are unsuitable for engineering purposes and cannot remain in the road embankment (cross-section). Contaminants were found in the right-of-way in two borings and/or test pits an area that corresponds to the former entrance to the Spruce Street salvage yard. Golder will provide a Phase II report within the week that includes the results of 16 borings and approximately 7 test pits placed in the immediate vicinity of the Spruce Street site. Eileen Olson
8/23/2005 Update or Other Action Rec'd from Golder Associates Phase I and Phase II site assessment reports. These are the December 2003 "Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, East 84th Avenue and Spruce Street Improvements" and the July 2005 "Phase II Environmental Site Assessment." The Phase I report was done to identify potential environmental contamination on properties adjacent to proposed road upgrades which could impact construction activities. The Phase I ESA specifically did not recommend that a field investigation be conducted along the former Superfund site (Spruce Park) but did recommend a detailed file review to assess whether existing data indicates whether the right-of-way is impacted. The phase II investigation entailed drilling and sampling two boreholes. Eileen Olson
9/1/2005 Update or Other Action Meeting with CRW engineers and environmental consultanting firm Golder regarding excavation of the MOA right-of-way adjacent to 84th & Spruce. The project will entail excavating aproximately 1100 cubic yards of unsuitable material, up to half of which may have elevated lead and PCB levels. CRW and Golder are proposing to use it on-site and expects to submit a plan to DEC within a few weeks. Eileen Olson
12/29/2005 Update or Other Action Rec'd "Workplan for Reuse of Excavated Soil from Road Construction for Spruce Park Sledding Hill, East 84th Avenue and Spruce Street Upgrade" dated December 15, 2005. Eileen Olson
1/26/2006 Meeting or Teleconference Held Attended Abbott Loop Community Council meeting at request of design engineering consultant CRW. MOA representatives also attended. CRW gave a presentation on the planned construction of a sledding hill and the beneficial reuse of low-level contaminated material from the adjacent road right-of-way construction project as the core of the hill. Eileen Olson
2/22/2006 Update or Other Action Rec'd "65% Design Review" of same date. Eileen Olson
3/27/2006 Update or Other Action Rec'd "Sampling and Disposal Plan for Reuse of Excavated Soil from Road Construction for Spruce Park Sledding Hill, East 84th Avenue and Spruce street Upgrade". The plan presents an outline for excavation , testing and reuse of soil excavated during road construction along Spruce Street to ensure that none of the material placed in the sledding hill exceeds site-specific cleanup standards established by EPA and that the concentrations of lead and PCBs are below ADEC cleanup standards at the north and south limits of the ecavation. Eileen Olson
5/19/2006 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC approved "Sampling and Disposal Plan for Reuse of Excavated Soil from Road Construction for Spruce Park Sledding Hill, East 84th Avenue and Spruce street Upgrade" dated and received 3/27/2006. Eileen Olson
7/31/2006 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved Received and approved request from MOA consultant Golder Associates to transport 10-15 cubic yards of soil from the right-of-way adjacent to Spruce Park to the Hiland Road Regional Landfill for disposal. Lead and PCBs are detectable but do not exceed site cleanup levels. Eileen Olson
8/4/2006 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved ADEC approved disposal for 2nd batch of approximately 15 cy of contaminated soil excavated from the right-of-way adjacent to the 84th & Spruce site; earlier same date received copy of MOA letter to consultant Golder Associates authorizing disposal at the MOA Hiland Road landfill. Eileen Olson
8/18/2006 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved Approved transport & disposal of 3rd batch of PCB- and lead-contaminated soil having an estimated volume of 10-15 cy at MOA Hiland Road Regional Landfill. The soil was excavated through August 3, 2006. Eileen Olson
1/25/2007 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC approved the work plan by Golder Assoc. dated January 19, 2007 for treatment and disposal of soil that was excavated and stockpiled at the site in August 2006. The plan proposes transporting and disposing of the soil at an out-of-state federally permitted treatment, storage, and disposal facility (TSDF). The plan also proposed sampling the footprint and perimeter of the stockpile location after the stockpiled soil is removed, and submitting a report and other documentation to ADEC. ADEC approved the plan on January 25, 2007. Eileen Olson
9/17/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 72201 name: Surface spills Eileen Olson
9/17/2007 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC approved sampling plan for lead and PCBs post-excavation in bollards area at edge of park and requested that sampler take photos of site status for the record. Eileen Olson
9/17/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Intitial Ranking Complete for Source Area: 72201 (Autogenerated Action)
11/8/2007 Update or Other Action ADEC letter "Summary of November 2, 2007 meeting regarding lead contaminated soil at 84th Avenue and Spruce Street site." Eileen Olson
1/16/2008 Update or Other Action Recd. report dated January 16, 2008 "Summary Trench Excavation, Testing Results, and Removal Activities East 84th Avenue and Spruce Street Upgrade MOA PM&E No. 02-02 & 02-08." Eileen Olson
2/11/2008 Update or Other Action Received report dated February 11, 2008 titled "Summary of Spruce Park Sledding Hill Construction, East 84th Avenue and Spruce Street Upgrade" prepared by Golder Associates for CRW Engineering Group, LLC. The report describes reuse of soil from road excavations that contains lead and PCBs at concentrations above the ADEC site specific cleanup levels for those compounds. A sledding hill was constructed within the park using PCB- and lead-impacted soil excavated from the adjacent right of way (ROW). ROW excavation and sledding hill construction took place concurrently between June 13 and June 28, 2006. Eileen Olson
8/6/2008 Update or Other Action Received plan dated Aug. 6, 2008 "Work Plan for Excavation and Disposal of Soil Adjacent to Spruce Park Utility Trench Excavation." Eileen Olson
8/21/2008 Cleanup Plan Approved Approval letter issued for work plan dated August 6, 2008, rec'd 8/6/2008, for excavating remaining lead contaminated soil in the right-of-way associated with adjacent road improvement project. Eileen Olson
8/11/2009 Update or Other Action ADEC received notification that work approved in ADEC's letter dated August 21, 2008 will be done this field season. A figure and cross-section showing proposed excavation areas were provided by MOA's consultant. Eileen Olson
5/25/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC letter sent to the Municipality of Anchorage requesting a copy of the report for work completed at the 84th and Spruce site. The only response received was that Melinda Tsu of MOA was handling the work and would get back to DEC. Eileen Olson
8/6/2010 Update or Other Action Requested again, by email, that MOA submit the report for the work done in September 2009. Eileen Olson
2/1/2011 Update or Other Action ADEC was copied on a letter report to the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) from consultant Golder Associates Inc. summarizing the 2009 remedial activities near Spruce Park and the intersection of 84th Avenue and Spruce Street in Anchorage, Alaska. The letter report was prepared in response to a letter from ADEC dated 5-25-10 with subject “Request for report of work done in accordance with approved Work Plan for Excavation and Disposal of Soil Adjacent to Spruce Park Utility Trench Excavation dated August 6, 2008; ADEC Database Hazard Identification No. 1222.” Eileen Olson
3/19/2014 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 72201 Surface spills. Eileen Olson
5/2/2014 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued Site closure with IC's granted. Eileen Olson
5/5/2014 Institutional Control Record Established Institutional Controls established and entered into the database. Eileen Olson
5/5/2016 Site Visit Observed status of hill at park to be intact and vegetated with grasses. Eileen Olson
4/26/2018 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC compliance review conducted. Closure/IC Details added. We have not received the required 3-year report that was due in 2017. A letter was issued to the landowner this date with a request to submit the report. Reminder system set to follow-up on the report in one month and for future compliance reviews to occur every three years. Kristin Thompson
7/16/2018 Institutional Control Update Received the 3-year report regarding cap maintenance between 2014 and 2017 including photos. The cap appears to be in good condition with healthy vegetation covering it. This site is in compliance with all IC requirements. Evonne Reese
3/22/2022 Institutional Control Update I contacted MOA Parks & Rec to inquire on the past due IC compliance report. I requested an email update on the current land use and cap conditions, and then this summer when the property is more accessible for taking photos a formal report can be provided to DEC. Evonne Reese
3/29/2022 Institutional Control Compliance Review Received an institutional control compliance report on this date which included photos of the containment cap. The cap is covered in snow at this time of year so additional photos will be submitted this coming summer. Land use of this property has not changed. Evonne Reese
11/14/2022 Institutional Control Compliance Review Received the complete IC verification report which includes photos of the capped area from all directions and an aerial photo of the park. The turf covering the fill areas is well established and appears to be stable except for one small area (6’ X 3’ X 8”) where a depression has appeared. The Parks Department plans on filling this void with topsoil and seed when free of snow, no later than spring 2023. The park is regularly maintained to continue the configuration of the turf and landscape in order to protect the cap so that it’s integrity continues. All IC requirements are in compliance. Evonne Reese
7/6/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved a work plan on this date for sampling to be conducted at the request of Municipality of Anchorage to verify that the containment cap is still effective. BGES will collect approximately 16 samples for laboratory analysis from the vicinity of the large sledding hill. The soil samples from atop the hill will be collected from depths of approximately 6 to 18 inches below grade. Because of the shallower nature of the cap adjacent to the hill (1 foot of soil), the perimeter soil samples will be collected from approximately 4 to 6 inches below grade. Care will be exercised to avoid breaching the geotextile fabric, especially along the toe of the slope for the perimeter sampling. Evonne Reese
3/22/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other The summer 2023 soil sampling in the soil above the geotextile fabric around the base and on top of the sledding hill showed lead concentrations below the most stringent cleanup levels in all soil samples. All samples were non-detect for PCBs. Evonne Reese

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
PCBs - Total > Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Exceeds 1 mg/kg cleanup level for direct contact.
Lead - Total > Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Exceeds direct contact level of 400 mg/kg.

Control Type

Type Details
Notice of Environmental Contamination

Requirements

Description Details
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site. Standard condition.
Maintenance / Inspection Of Engineering Controls Maintain at all times and visually monitor at least twice annually the clean fill cap in the unpaved areas within the site boundary (shown on Figure 1 in the 2014 Decision Document), beginning in May 2014. For each monitoring event, make a photographic and narrative record once after annual spring thaw and once before annual freeze-up and/or snowfall to ensure the cap has not been damaged, degraded or removed and that it remains stable and vegetated. If at any time the clean cap is observed to be damaged, missing or lacking vegetative cover, mitigate the problem in a timely manner. If the cap is compromised so that the underlying contaminated soil may be exposed, report the problem and the corrective action taken to ADEC within 30 days of the event, providing photographs and a narrative.
When Contaminated Soil is Accessible, Remediation Should Occur In the future, if soil is removed from the site it must be characterized and managed following regulations applicable at that time.
Other Every three years, submit a brief report of requirements specified by item (1) with the initial report due in fall 2017. Reporting shall include (a) photographs and narrative from the monitoring events and (b) a summary of damage to and/or repairs and maintenance of the soil cap during the three year period. Reports may be submitted electronically. Indicate in the report whether or not there have been any changes in land use or ownership of the site. An any time in the future, notify ADEC within 60 days of any change in land use or ownership.
Groundwater Use Restrictions Installation of groundwater wells at this site requires approval from ADEC.
Movement or use of contaminated material (including on site) in a manner that results in a violation of the water quality standards is prohibited (18 AAC 70) Standard condition.

No associated sites were found.

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State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

P.O. Box 111800
Juneau, AK 99811-1800
Phone: 907-465-5066
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