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Site Report: Nikolski RRS Composite Bldg Septic Tank & Outfall ST018

Site Name: Nikolski RRS Composite Bldg Septic Tank & Outfall ST018
Address: Septic Tank Outfall, Umnak Island, Nikolski, AK 99638
File Number: 2621.38.004
Hazard ID: 127
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 52.973269
Longitude: -168.855104
Horizontal Datum:WGS84

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 septic tank is located about 120 feet north of the former composite building. According to historical drawings, the 8,000 gallon aboveground tank septic tank discarded down the northwest cliff face of High Hill. The only visible portion of this system consists of a concrete headwall located at the top of a vertical cliff, penetrated by a 6 inch, cast iron pipe that immediately turns downward for discharge to the foot of High Hill. Historical drawings also show a 1500 gallon above ground septic tank west of the former transformer building that discharges down the cliff. No visual evidence of this has been noted. An EM survey in 2000 did not find a positive identification of an underground structure. Surface soil was analyzed in 2000 and results were non-detectable. RRS operated from 1958 to 1977. All buildings and antennas demolished. Above ground POL storage tanks and POL pipeline still in place. Drum storage area and lighting vault are adjacent to airstrip. POL pipeline runs along sea coast and crosses Sheep Creek. CERCLIS ID Number AK9572728644 In 1983, PCB contaminated soil was excavated and removed. Records indicate 36 drums of contaminated soil and 6 drums of transformer material. All above ground structures associated with this site were demolished in 1988. This included the composite building, transformer building and four White Alice Arrays.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
1/1/1994 Preliminary Assessment Approved 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. Debra Caillouet
11/1/1995 Preliminary Assessment Approved EMCON was contracted by the USAF 611th to perform a PA/SI. The site was divided into two Installation Restoration Program (IRP) sites and ten areas of concern (AOC). This site-OT01 consists of the former composite building, former transformer building, four former White Alice arrays. 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
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 Site Characterization Report Approved All detected concentrations in soil samples were below site regulatory limits therefore no further action is recommended to address soil at this site. Concentrations for DRO, RRO, trichlorethylene (TCE) and cis-1,2-dichlorethylene were detected in the tank liquid at concentrations exceeding site regulatory limits. Therefore, it is recommended that the tank liquid be removed and treated on site prior to discharge. Furthermore, it is recommended the tank be abandoned in place per ADEC guidance. Debra Caillouet
5/15/2002 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff attended a public meeting in Nikolski Debra Caillouet
10/14/2002 Update or Other Action Staff submitted comments on the draft feasibility study. 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
1/18/2005 Update or Other Action File number issued 2621.38.004 Aggie Blandford
2/16/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Debra Caillouet
1/15/2009 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 71107 name: Composite bldg. septic tank and outfall Debra Caillouet
9/29/2011 CERCLA ROD Approved Debra Caillouet
9/29/2011 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued The site poses no unacceptable risk under current and reasonably anticipated future recreational use, or unrestricted use. No response action under CERCLA is necessary at this site to protect the public health or welfare or the environment from actual or threatened releases of hazardous substances into the environment. No CERCLA COCs are present at the site above 18 AAC 75 soil cleanup levels. Therefore, no action is required to remediate contamination at the site. The site is suitable for unrestricted use and the USAF proposes no remedial action. This proposal may change based upon new information. Louis Howard
8/20/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Staff approved the 2021 Final Uniform Federal Policy for Quality Assurance Project Plan for Long-Term Management and Remedial Action Operations Activities, Nikolski Radio Relay Station, Alaska, August 2021. The Work Plan described the approach and procedures for site-specific long-term management and remedial action-operation activities at Nikolski Radio Relay Station sites, including annual groundwater sampling for site SS004. The Work Plan covers work being performed over a 5-year period. Axl LeVan

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
BTEX < Method 2 Most Stringent Soil

Control Type

Type Details
No ICs Required

Requirements

Description Details
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.
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)

No associated sites were found.

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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