| Action Date |
Action |
Description |
DEC Staff |
| 1/1/1994 |
CERCLA PA |
CH2MHill was contracted by the USACE to conduct a PA for the Nikolski White Alice Communication System Site. In 1984, the USAF removed PCB soil and transformers. In 1988 the facility was demolished and the debris and asbestos buried in an on-site landfill.
While not listed on the NPL, Nikolski RRS must follow CERCLA process per E.O. 12580 [e.g. CERCLA Sections 104(a), (b), and (c)(4), 113(k), 117(a), and (c), 119, and 121) with respect to releases or threatened releases where either the release is on or the sole source of the release is from any facility or vessel under the jurisdiction, custody, or control of their departments. These functions must be exercised consistent with CERCLA Section 120 Federal Facilities.
State laws. -- State laws concerning removal and remedial action, including State laws regarding enforcement, shall apply to removal and remedial action at facilities owned or operated by a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States when such facilities are not included on the National Priorities List. The preceding sentence shall not apply to the extent a State law would apply any standard or requirement to such facilities which is more stringent than the standards and requirements applicable to facilities which are not owned or operated by any such department, agency, or instrumentality.].
|
Debra Caillouet |
| 11/1/1995 |
CERCLA PA |
EMCON was contracted by the USAF 611th to perform a PA/SI.
According to the 1995 PA/SI report, a former WW II outpost was located near the landfill/disposal area (LF-001); this suspected former bunker may be related to the former outpost. This area is marked by three 4-inch metal pipes that rise approximately 1.5 feet above the ground surface south of the landfill/disposal area and the ridge that separates the landfill area from the water supply lake. The pipes currently contain water; the function of these pipes is unknown. Two filled-m rectangular depressions are also noticeable in the area. The exact nature of this AOC is unknown.
It is recommended that an attempt be made to open the bunker entrance and that an ordnance expert inspect the inside for potential ordnance. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 2/12/1997 |
Update or Other Action |
(Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). SI action added by Shannon and Wilson, Inc., based on Air Force Relative Risk Evaluation Worksheet dated 9/14/95. No other information available. |
S&W-Miner |
| 6/30/2000 |
Update or Other Action |
June 2000 Site Investigation: The PA/SI (Nov 1995) states that a "bunker" may be associated with a former "outpost" south of the old landfill area Three 4-inch metal pipes and two filled in rectangular depressions were observed and believed to be associated with the "bunker" An electromagnetic survey was conducted in an attempt to determine the nature and extent of the underground structure. During May 29/30, 2000, five soil samples were collected at or near the surface and analyzed for BTEX and GRO compounds.
EM 31 Terrain Conductivity Meter gave dimensions of the buried bunkers as 15' x 8' (west bunker) and 8' x 8' (east bunker), separated by about 15' Ground disturbances and revegatative growth on this hillside emplacement leaves few clues at to what is belowground, but the 6" risers seem to be similar to those found at old ammunition bunkers It has been reported (Val Dushkin, oral communication) that there was a small WW II encampment immediately uphill, in the area which forms a saddle to the east of High Hill Again, BTEX and GRO analysis yielded no analytical data (above cleanup levels). |
Louis Howard |
| 12/1/2000 |
Update or Other Action |
A site survey was conducted with the 611th, Jacobs Engineering and Jeff Brownlee (ADEC). |
Debra Caillouet |
| 12/21/2000 |
Meeting or Teleconference Held |
Scoping meeting for the remedial investigation at this former White Alice site. The site operated on Umnak Island in the Aleutian Islands from 1957 to 1977. All the facilities except a tank farm and pipeline were demolished and buried on site in 1986. A Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation was done in 1995. A drum removal was performed in 1997. Ten Areas of Concern and two IRP sites were identified during the PA/SI. Contaminants of concern include PCBs, petroleum, metals and TCE at one AOC. |
Jeff Brownlee |
| 2/22/2001 |
Meeting or Teleconference Held |
Meeting was to get to know the team and goals/plans for summer 2001 work. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 4/11/2001 |
Site Added to Database |
|
Former Staff |
| 5/17/2001 |
Meeting or Teleconference Held |
A public meeting was held in Nikolski on May 14. The Air Force, Jacobs Engineering and ADEC presented information on the cleanup process and the RI work scheduled for 6/2001. The meeting was well attended and well received by the community. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 6/25/2001 |
Update or Other Action |
Staff traveled to Nikolski to review the characterization work being done. Work was proceeding well. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 11/29/2001 |
Update or Other Action |
Test pits dug at the AOC-07 site demonstrated that the site is actually a concrete vault that had been used for water treatment. TCE at .0119 mg/l was detected in a seep downgradient from the tank. Additional characterization is needed to determine extent of TCE contamination |
Debra Caillouet |
| 4/1/2002 |
Site Characterization Workplan Approved |
A supplemental workplan was submitted to obtain sufficient data to characterize the extent of TCE that was preliminarily identified in the seep. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 5/15/2002 |
Meeting or Teleconference Held |
Staff attended a public meeting in Nikolski. Staff also consulted in the field with the AF and their contractor on locations for the additional site characterization samples. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 8/1/2002 |
Update or Other Action |
Supplemental RI Report received for comment.
Soil sample results for this site indicate detections of TCE directly downgradient of the septic tank & associated discharge pipe. Soil data indicate that TCE ranged from ND to 25.5 micrograms per kilogram (ug/kg), well below the Method Three ACL for TCE (507 ug/kg). The TCE that was detected was in soil samples collected near the end of the apparent discharge pipe & a sample collected between the pipe & the downgradient seeps.
Therefore, it is concluded that any liquid discharged from the tank followed a pathway downgradient from the discharge pipe to the seeps. Analytical data supports this conclusion, as there were no detections of TCE from samples collected on either side of this pathway. Analytical results also indicate detections of m, p-xylene & toluene in the majority of the samples. These detections are attributed to lab contaminants &, therefore, not associated with site contaminants.
Analytical results from soil samples collected downgradient of the septic tank indicated low levels of methylene chloride, with two samples exceeding Method 3 ACLs. Review of the data indicates that the higher concentrations found in samples AC7-HA05 & AC7-HA06 are likely the result of low-level laboratory contamination. Analytical results from soil samples collected downgradient of the septic tank indicated low levels of methylene chloride, with two samples exceeding Method 3 ACLs. Review of the lab data suggests that the methylene chloride results were elevated by low-level lab contamination.
Analytical results from surface water samples collected downgradient of the septic tank indicated relatively low concentrations of TCE at both seep sample locations & the stream sample collected near the seeps. However TCE was not detected in the stream sample collected near the lake (SW06) or in the sample collected directly from the lake (SW07).
Therefore, it is recommended that alternatives such as short-term monitoring of the seep areas be conducted to identify any trends relating to TCE concentrations in the seeps. This & other alternatives will be evaluated in detail during the FS. In addition, tile original recommendation, that the septic tank be pumped & abandoned in place, is maintained.
For additional information see site file. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 8/5/2002 |
Site Characterization Report Approved |
Staff provided comments on the SRI for AOC-07 and SS004.
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has completed review of the document entitled Nikolski Radio Relay Station, Supplemental Remedial Investigation for Sites AOC-07 and SS-004, Draft July 2002• DEC received the report August !, 2002 and a corrected Figure 3-2 on August 5.2002. The report meets the requirements of 18 AAC 75.335 for site characterization. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 10/14/2002 |
Update or Other Action |
Staff submitted comments on the draft feasibility study. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 12/2/2002 |
Update or Other Action |
HQ PACAF Peer Review Team (PRT) of proposed remedial actions and alternatives for IRP Sites which include AOC7 Construction Camp Septic System.
AOC 07 Construction Camp Septic Tank
TCE in surface water has been detected at a maximum concentration of 111 ppb. Proposed action is to treat contaminated water in the septic tank with activated carbon and appropriately abandoned in place. Soil contamination was below cleanup standards. ADEC has determined that long term monitoring of surface water with institutional controls is the appropriate response.
The PRT agrees with the proposed action to treat contaminated water in the septic tank with
activated carbon and appropriately abandon in place. In addition, the PRT agrees that long term monitoring of the surface water with institutional controls is the appropriate response. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 12/11/2002 |
Meeting or Teleconference Held |
Staff participated in the Air Force peer review of the proposed plan for Nikolski. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 3/4/2003 |
Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other |
Staff commented on the Nikolski Radio Relay Station, Approval of Feasibility Study for Sites, LF-001, AOC-01, SS-002, SS-005, SS-006, AOC-08, AOC-09, and OT-010
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) received your response to our comments of October 14, 2002 on February 21, 2003. The response to comments has met the requirements of 18 AAC 75.335(c)(5) for the above listed nine of the thirteen sites investigated.
The cleanup methods proposed in the document have been reviewed by DEC but will need to be
presented for public review and comment before they can be approved. The Risk Assessment that is proposed for sites OT-001, SS-003, SS-004 and WP-007 should follow the guidance found in the Risk Assessment Procedures Manual, June 2002 and User's Guide for Selection and Application of Default Assessment Endpoints and Indicator Species in Alaskan Ecoregions, June 1999. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 12/16/2004 |
Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other |
Staff provided comments on the draft PP for AOC-01 dam and pump house foundation, SS-002 former water supply house and aboveground storage tank, SS-005 runway lighting vault building and underground storage tank, SS-006 former drum storage area, AOC-07 construction camp septic tank, AOC-08 composite building septic tank and outfall, AOC-09 two 20,000 gallon underground storage tanks, OT-010 former transfer building and White Alice Arrays.
Page 15, AOC-07 - Preferred Alternative: Please include a description of the institutional controls that would be implemented to prevent human exposure to surface water containing trichloroethene in excess of 5 ppb. Also in the second sentence of this paragraph the word "would" should be removed. The third sentence should be revised to read "…migration to groundwater of contaminants in soil including diesel-range organics…" The fourth sentence should read "It would also help prevent exposure to surface waters…" |
Louis Howard |
| 1/18/2005 |
Update or Other Action |
File number issed 2621.38.004 |
Aggie Blandford |
| 5/29/2006 |
Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other |
Staff provided comments regarding State of AK requirements for Proposed Plans and site specific comments.
AOC-07 Construction Camp Septic Tank – The cleanup level proposed is based on 18 AAC 75.340 Method 3 soil cleanup levels calculated from organic carbon data obtained in 2002 averaging 4.99%. For each constituent the most stringent pathway, ingestion, inhalation or migration to groundwater has been compared to the levels found on site and there are no exceedences. The surface water at the site was found to exceed the water quality standards at 18 AAC 70 for TCE. The maximum detected concentration of TCE in surface water was 0.111 mg/l. The remedy proposed is institutional controls to prevent use of the surface water as a drinking water source and long term monitoring to assure that the levels continue to decrease and do not impact the downstream lake. The septic tank will be cleaned and closed in place. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 2/15/2007 |
Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other |
Staff provided comments on the draft proposed plan for six sites.
When we met with you & BEM on February 9, 2007, BEM provided drafts of proposed plans for several sites at the Nikolski RRS.
DEC does not concur with the proposed "no action required" status for this site. Establishing & maintaining institutional controls is an action that is required to prevent exposure to contamination. Also septic tank poses a substantial threat of discharge of CERCLA regulated substances. The Remedial Investigation found that the tank contained lead, benzo(a)pyrene & dibenzo(a,h)anthracene at concentrations above cleanup levels in 18 AAC 75.345. The feasibility study recommended the presumptive remedy of granulated activated carbon filtration for treatment of the wastewater. Hazardous substances in the tank need to be properly treated or disposed of in accordance with applicable laws.
DEC does not agree with only the use of Five Year reviews to control exposure. Signs should be erected advising against the use of the surface water for drinking & the presence of these signs should be verified yearly. Documentation on the extent & location of contamination & the fact that surface water should not be used as drinking water needs to be incorporated into the appropriate land records.
DEC has not been privy to the risk assessment mentioned in this Proposed Plan. 18 AAC 75.340(f) requires a responsible person to submit a risk assessment report following the department's Risk Assessment Procedures Manual (RAPM). The RAPM outlines the process that is to be followed that begins with a scoping meeting, approval of a work plan. Please provide the work plan & the risk assessment.
See site file for additional information. |
Louis Howard |
| 3/9/2007 |
Update or Other Action |
DEC submitted formal comment to the Air Force on the published Proposed Plan for Site 17, Construction Camp Septic Tank.
1.Based on the figures attached to the Proposed Plan for the sites OT01, WP07, and SS010 the two seeps that are discharging the contaminants to surface water are not on land controlled by the Air Force. ADEC was not aware prior to viewing the figures that the land in question was not controlled by the Air Force.
a.18 AAC 75.375. Institutional controls. (a) The department will, after consultation with each landowner of the site, determine that the use of an institutional control is necessary, on a site-specific basis, if the department determines that controls are required to ensure (1) compliance with an applicable cleanup level;(2) protection of human health, safety, or welfare, or the environment; or (3) the integrity of site cleanup activities or improvements.
b.ADEC can not concur with the use of an institutional control until the Air Force identifies the landowner so that we may consult with them.
|
Debra Caillouet |
| 3/9/2007 |
Exposure Tracking Model Ranking |
|
Debra Caillouet |
| 4/12/2007 |
Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other |
BLM comments on the Proposed plan for several sites. Note that our comments do not address the portion of STOl7 or SS005 (Construction Camp Septic Tank and Runway Lighting Vault/Underground Storage Tank) located on lands previously conveyed to Chaluka Corporation and to The Aleut Corporation. The chart does include SS004 (POL Tank Farm), because it is located on Phase II lands to be conveyed and land use controls are apparently under consideration. The chart also includes Tract 37A which is not addressed in the proposed plans but which we had previously understood to contain a solid waste landfill
The proposed plans fail to acknowledge that the federal government, via acts of Congress, has
committed to transferring these lands to Alaska Native corporations or that Congress has directed
these conveyances be treated as though they were made pursuant to ANCSA. Lands conveyed
under ANCSA must include all right, title, and interest of the United States. We know of no
statutory authority that allows the Secretary of the Interior to encumber lands transferred
pursuant to ANCSA with land use controls such as the institutional controls apparently
contemplated by the Air Force. Further, the transfer of contaminated lands via AN CSA has been
a sensitive issue for corporations and for the Department of the Interior (DOI). In a report to
Congress dated December 1998, DOI made the following pledge, "With respect to lands yet to
be conveyed, we will take all practical steps to avert the future conveyance of contaminated
land."
We do not recall any discussions with the corporations prior to their acceptance of the exchange
offer that would have put them on notice that the Air Force would subsequently interpret
"environmental restoration" to mean leaving contaminants in place. The decision by the Air Force to apply its 2004 Performance-Based Management Policy to these lands ignores the requirements of the 2003-enacted legislation and appears to disregard the parties' understanding that DOI would be transferring and the corporations would be receiving clean lands with unrestricted use.
Ramona Chinn
Deputy State Director
Conveyance Management |
Louis Howard |
| 5/10/2007 |
Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other |
Thank you for providing the draft CERCLA Decision Documents for the Environmental Restoration Program Sites WP007, SS010, SS005, ST017, OT001, and ST018 at the Nikolski Radio Relay Station.
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is deferring comment on these documents pending completion of the public comment period, consideration of all comments received and resolution on land transfer and “affected landowner” issues. These issues are critical to the remedy selection. Please forward copies of all comments that are received on the Proposed Plan for department consideration. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 9/12/2007 |
Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other |
Staff provided comments on the Nikolski Radio Relay Station, Remedial Action Report for ST017: Construction Camp Septic Tank.
Executive Summary
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) provide the following comment on the Proposed Plan
1. Based on the figures attached to the Proposed Plan for the sites OT01, WP07, and SS010 the two seeps that are discharging the contaminants to surface water are not on land controlled by the Air Force. ADEC was not aware prior to viewing the figures that the land in question was not controlled by the Air Force.
a. 18 AAC 75.375. Institutional controls. (a) The department will, after consultation with each landowner of the site, determine that the use of an institutional control is necessary, on a site-specific basis, if the department determines that controls are required to ensure (1) compliance with an applicable cleanup level;(2) protection of human health, safety, or welfare, or the environment; or (3) the integrity of site cleanup activities or improvements.
b. ADEC cannot concur with the use of an institutional control until the Air Force identifies the landowner so that we may consult with them.
ADEC also deferred comment on the Draft decision Documents pending completion of the public comment period, consideration of all comments received and resolution on land transfer and “affected landowner” issues.
ADEC Contaminated Sites program was provided a courtesy copy of the draft Work Plan for Field Activities. No review or comment was requested and none was provided. ADEC never approved the local community comments; in fact, ADEC has never and would not presume to approve comments provided by another entity or person.
ADEC does not agree that no further remedial actions are necessary and does not agree that the site is eligible for closure.
Please revise this section to present the facts
Future land use is assumed to be residential unless the landowner agrees to Institutional Controls (ICs) that would prevent such use. No ICs are in place and the landowner information has not been provided to ADEC. The statement that the site will remain undeveloped is not supported by fact. Please revise.
The decision Document referenced, USAF, 2007a, is a draft. Please revise this section to state that it is a draft and that ADEC has not provided comment on the document nor concurred with its content
See site file for additional information. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 9/18/2007 |
Update or Other Action |
Letter to USAF from ADEC (J. Halverson)
I am writing to remind you of contaminated site workplan approval requirements in Alaska’s oil and hazardous substance pollution control regulations and underground storage tank regulations. Additionally, the department is concerned over quality assurance on Performance Based Contracts (PBCs).
Work Plan Approval
Several 611 CES environmental restoration projects were implemented this summer without obtaining prior workplan approval from DEC. The site cleanup rules require department approval on workplans before beginning interim removal actions (18 AAC 75.330), site characterization work (18 AAC 75.355), or cleanup operations (18 AAC 75.360). Similarly, the underground storage tank regulations specify the department may require a corrective action plan be submitted for approval prior to conducting corrective action at an underground storage tank release site (18 AAC 78.250).
Department staff strives to complete plan reviews and respond to responsible parties within thirty (30) days after receipt of plans, although this is not always possible nor is it a requirement. At times expedited plan reviews are feasible based on project manager work load, adequate up-front planning, and contractors providing complete, well written plans. However, if significant workplan revisions are required, additional review and comment resolution time will be needed. To facilitate successful project implementation, I recommend DoD project managers and contracting staff:
• Coordinate schedules with DEC project managers in advance and throughout projects.
• Include DEC project managers in project planning meetings (DQO meetings, UFP QAPP development meetings, Triad and other Technical Project Planning team meetings, etc.).
• Plan and maintain project schedules that include a sixty (60) days for reviewing draft work plans, comment resolution, any necessary revisions and a final review and approval.
• Review contractor planning documents prior to submission to DEC to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations consistency with agreements made during project planning meetings.
Failure to obtain workplan approval before implementing site work described above is considered a violation of Alaska regulations and may result in field work not being approved or additional work being required and may subject responsible parties and/or contractors to a Notice of Violation (NOV).
See site file for additional information. |
John Halverson |
| 11/12/2008 |
Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other |
The Remedial Action Report For ST017: Construction Camp Septic Tank, Nikolski Radio Relay Station, Final November 2008 documents the removal of the septic tank contents and subsequent disposal at Dutch Harbor. The report also documents the closure in place of the septic tank.
Surface water sampling of the seep below the septic tank showed trichloroethylene at 66.4 µg/L, well above the Water Quality Standard of 5 µg/L.
The report refers to the draft Record of Decision for the site and based on that draft states that the Air Force will perform a Five Year Review in 2012 to determine if the remedy is protective.
DEC has not concurred with the remedy in the draft Record of Decision and has previously deferred comment on the document because of the land ownership issues and the establishment of Institutional Controls to prevent the use of the surface water for drinking water purposes. These issues are critical to the remedy selection and should be resolved in a timely fashion. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 12/29/2009 |
Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other |
Nikolski RRS Groundwater and Surface Water Analytical Results, September 2009. The report documents the results of sampling and analysis at the SS004 Tank Farm and ST017 Septic System.
At SS004 all monitoring wells were below levels of concern except MW8 located at the beach which contained free product. The seep water at ST017 contained trichloroethylene at 38 µg/l, while this does indicate a decreasing trend it is above the cleanup level of 5 µg/l.
The report recommends that sampling for a contaminant of concern be discontinued at a monitoring well after two consecutive results are below cleanup levels and sampling of the well stop when all COCs are below cleanup levels for two consecutive events. Fall and spring sampling events are scheduled from September 2009 through spring 2011. Until a record of decision is signed for these sites DEC can not concur with this recommendation and requests that all wells be sampled as planned.
|
Debra Caillouet |
| 3/1/2010 |
Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other |
ROD review comments by staff for Version 2.
1.1 The site description should state that the source, the septic tank is on U.S. Air Force property but the discharge is on Chaluka land.
1.2 The second to last paragraph on page 8 should be revised to read: As the lead agency, the
Air Force has selected the remedy. By signing this declaration, the Alaska Department of
Environmental Conservation (ADEC) agrees that proper implementation of the selected remedy will comply with State laws including 18 Alaska Administrative Code (AAC) 75.
1.7 Please change the ADEC signature block to: By signing this declaration, ADEC concurs
that proper implementation of the selected remedy will comply with state and environmental
laws. This decision will be reviewed and may be modified in the future if information becomes available that indicates the presence of contaminants or exposures that may cause unacceptable risk to human health or the environment.
See site file for additional information. |
Debra Caillouet |
| 5/13/2010 |
CERCLA ROD Approved |
CERCLA ROD final version 3 March 2010 was signed by DEC 5/13/2010.
The CERCLA selected remedy for ST-017 is institutional controls (IC) (signage) with Long-Term Monitoring. Components of the selected remedy will include:
• Long-term surface water monitoring on adjacent Chaluka Corporation property every five years, starting in 2012.
• Establishment of ICs (placement of a sign) warning individuals against use of the seep area downslope of site ST-017 as a drinking water source.
• Five-year reviews as required by CERCLA Section 12l(c) since hazardous substances will remain onsite at levels above the ADEC MCL for drinking water [Alaska Administrative Code (AAC), Title 18, Part 80.300(b)(2)(B)]. These five-year reviews will report on the effectiveness of the ICs as well as the level of TCE remaining in the surface water.
• Long-term monitoring will continue and the signage will remain in place until TCE concentrations are below the concentration listed in Table 1.
The COC for the site is trichloroethene (TCE) in surface water.
The overall remedial action objectives (RAO) for ERP sites at Nikolski RRS are protection of
human health and the environment consistent with the long-term land use of each individual site, and compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The site-specific RAOs for ST-017 are as follows:
• Protect human health by preventing exposure to surface waters containing TCE in excess of 5.0 µg/L.
The TCE standard included in the first RAO is based on the MCL included in 18 AAC 80 (5.0 µg/L). The signage will remain in place until the TCE concentration falls below the MCL.
|
Debra Caillouet |
| 10/1/2010 |
Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other |
Final Nikolski RRS Groundwater and Surface Water Analytical Results, May 2010, September 2010 received.
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation received the corrected Technical Memorandum for the groundwater and surface water on September 29, 2010. The report documents the results of sampling and analysis at the SS004 Tank Farm in May 2010 and is accepted.
|
Debra Caillouet |
| 11/30/2015 |
Meeting or Teleconference Held |
Interview this day with MWH scoping 5 year review. Provided information from ROD to caller. Residual contamination includes TCE up to 111 micrograms/Liter in seep water. CERCLA remedy in place. Interim ICs require monitoring, signage, and 5 year review of protectiveness. Provided information on stakeholders and referred caller to comments from stakeholders in ROD.
|
Fred Vreeman |
| 3/11/2016 |
Update or Other Action |
Pre-Draft LTM Letter Report for Nikolski RRS which includes ST017.
Results for ST017: TCE was not detected in either of the primary samples, nor the duplicate or MS/MSD samples above the 5 ug/L cleanup standard in the 2010 Record of Decision for ST017.
In accordance with the remedial action objective specified in the 2010 ROD, the TCE results from the 2015 surface water samples were compared to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) Maximum Contaminant Level for drinking water of 5 micrograms per liter. The analytical results for the surface water samples were also incorporated into the Five Year Review and Land Use Control Report for Nikolski RRS.
2010 Record of Decision ST017 Selected Remedy: Long-term surface water monitoring on adjacent Chaluka Corporation property every five years, starting in 2012.
• Establishment of I Cs (placement of a sign) warning individuals against use of the seep area downslope of site ST-017 as a drinking water source.
• Five-year reviews as required by CERCLA Section 12l(c) since hazardous substances will remain onsite at levels above the ADEC MCL for drinking water [Alaska Administrative Code (AAC), Title 18, Part 80.300(b)(2)(B)]. These five-year reviews will report on the effectiveness of the I Cs as well as the level ofTCE remaining in the surface water.
• Long-term monitoring will continue and the signage will remain in place until TCE
concentrations are below the concentration listed in Table 1 [TCE 5 ug/L].
The site-specific RAOs for ST-017 are as follows: • Protect human health by preventing exposure to surface waters containing TCE in excess of 5.0 µg/L |
Louis Howard |
| 5/3/2016 |
Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other |
Staff commented on the pre-draft surface water monitoring letter report.
NOTE: Analyze and report all VOCs that are available via EPA Method 8260B not just TCE. This ensures the reductive dechlorination (natural attenuation) of TCE is being monitored and reported (e.g. cis, 1,2-Dichloroethane and vinyl chloride) as required by the 2010 Record of Decision for ST0171 |
Louis Howard |
| 8/26/2016 |
Update or Other Action |
Draft 5 Year Review for LF001, OT001, ST017, TU019, WP007 received for review and comment. The site inspection identified stained soil at WP007 and protruding debris at Sites LF001, OT001,
TU019, and WP007. Recommendation and follow-up action: Soil staining and protruding debris
should be evaluated during annual site inspections to determine if sampling or repairs are required.
LF001
Warning sign at Site LF001 has blown over and is lying on the ground.
Recommendation: Repair warning signage to restore integrity of the Site LF001 LUCs
The 2013 ROD incorrectly listed excavation as a component of the Site LF001 remedy.
Recommendation: Issue a ROD Amendment to clarify that the Site LF001 remedy is LUCs and soil
excavation is not required.
There are no immediate threats from the five sites at Nikolski RRS. The remedies for Sites
OT001, TU019, ST017, and WP007 are being implemented in accordance with their respective
RODs. Long-term, the remedies are protective for the following reasons:
• ICs are in place at Sites OT001, TU019, ST017, and WP007 to limit potential exposures
to onsite contaminants; and
• LTM is performed at Site ST017 to monitor TCE concentrations in the seep area
downgradient of the site.
The USAF certifies that the remedies for Sites OT001, TU019, ST017, and WP007 at Nikolski RRS are protective of human health and the environment and comply with Federal and State requirements that are legally applicable or relevant and appropriate.
The remedy for Site LF001 was selected in accordance with State laws and regulations, as no CERCLA COCs were identified as being released to the environment at the site. The results of this FYR indicate that the Site LF001 remedy is neither currently protective nor protective in the future based on documented deficiencies in the LUCs. Annual inspections are performed at Site
LF001, in accordance with the ROD. However, additional action is required to restore the
integrity of the Site LF001 LUCs.
See site file for additional information. |
Louis Howard |
| 1/31/2018 |
Update or Other Action |
Draft RAO/LTM report received for review and comment. Site observations at ST017 indicated the presence of occasional recreational land users, subsistence hunting and gathering, cattle, and wildlife. No other signs of erosion, standing water, or degradation were observed. The field staff installed two new LUC signs along the access road warning potential site visitors against the use of the seep area downslope of ST017 for drinking water.
See site file for additional information. |
Louis Howard |
| 5/9/2019 |
Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other |
Work plan addendum for 2019 Remedial Action Operations, Land Use/Institutional Control Former Nikolski Radio Relay Station Sites LF001, OT001, OT010, SA593, SS003, SS004, ST017, TU019, and WP007 approved by ADEC. |
Louis Howard |
| 4/7/2020 |
Update or Other Action |
Draft Technical Report for 2019 Environmental Long-Term Monitoring Activities at Nikolski Radio Relay Station which includes: LF001, OT001, OT010, SA593, SS003, SS004, ST017, TU019, & WP007.
The selected remedy for the site as stipulated in a 2010 ROD was ICs with LTM of the surface water down-gradient from the site once every 5 years (USAF, 2010). The LUC measures established with the ICs constituted the installation of signage alerting site visitors of the presence of contamination and warning against the use of the seep area downslope of ST017 for drinking water. During the 2017 site inspection, there were no signs of erosion, standing water, or degradation observed (USAF, 2018). Two new LUC signs were installed along the access road warning potential site visitors against the use of the seep area downslope of ST017 for drinking water (USAF, 2018).
ST017 Surface water Sample results: All samples were non-detect for TCE and the laboratory Limit of Quantitation (LOQ) was below the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 5.0 µg/L which is the project action limit (PAL) for screening against surface water sample results.
NOTE: This is the 2nd event below cleanup levels for TCE and there were no exceedances for any daughter products detected in the samples. Site may be closed out per the ROD. |
Louis Howard |
| 6/30/2020 |
Cleanup Complete Determination Issued |
DEC issued a determination that cleanup is complete based on surface water sampling of seeps, a stream and lake confirming TCE levels less than both DEC's groundwater cleanup level (2.8 micrograms/L) and the maximum contaminant level allowed in drinking water (5.0 micrograms/L). |
Melinda Brunner |
| 6/30/2020 |
Exposure Tracking Model Ranking |
A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 71106 Septic Tank. |
Melinda Brunner |
| 8/17/2021 |
Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other |
DEC approved the "Final 2020 Remedial Action operations, Institutional Control/Land Use Control Report, Nikolski RRS, Alaska, August 2021", received on August 17, 2021. The report presented the results of the 2020 Long Term Maintenance (LTM) performed at the Former Nikolski Radio Relay Station sites LF001, OT001, SA593 (also known as SS006), SS003, SS004, TU019, and WP007. The site visit was conducted in September of 2020 and included groundwater sampling at Site SS004. |
Axl LeVan |
| 4/7/2022 |
CERCLA ROD Periodic Review |
DEC reviewed and provided comments on the "Draft Second Five-Year Review for CERCLA SITES WP007 and ST017 and Non-CERCLA Sites LF001, OT001 (incl TU019), Nikolski Radio Relay Station, Alaska, March 2022", received on March 7, 2022. This Five-Year Review (FYR) evaluated whether the remedy at a site is protective of human health and the environment. The methods, findings, and conclusions of reviews are documented in the FYR report. Based on review of the report and the first five year review DEC provided comments regarding the current protectiveness statement and the need for a Notice of Activity and Use Limitations (NAULs) in accordance with Chapter 46.04, Article 3 of the Alaska Statutes Uniform Environmental Covenants Act (UECA). |
Axl LeVan |
| 5/17/2022 |
Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other |
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reviewed and approved the "Final Second Five-Year Review for CERCLA SITES WP007 and ST017 and Non-CERCLA Sites LF001, OT001 (incl TU019), Nikolski Radio Relay Station, Alaska, April 2022" received on May 2, 2022. This Five-Year Review (FYR) evaluates whether the remedy at a site is protective of human health and the environment. The methods, findings, and conclusions of reviews are documented in the FYR report.
DEC notes that a timeline for providing a ROD amendment for LF001 was not included in the document and should be completed before the next FYR. Site ST017 will no longer be included in future FYRs as the site has reach cleanup complete status. |
Axl LeVan |
