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Site Report: Galena AFS/Airport - TU001 Power Plant Tank 49

Site Name: Galena AFS/Airport - TU001 Power Plant Tank 49
Address: Behind Power Plant, Building 1499 (IRP -TU01), Galena, AK 99741
File Number: 860.26.002
Hazard ID: 1418
Status: Active
Staff: Tim Sharp, 9074512131 tim.sharp@alaska.gov
Latitude: 64.740721
Longitude: -156.957595
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

Site TU001 (Power Plant Tank 1499) is located on the west side of the cantonment triangle on land owned by the City of Galena. Site TU001 is bounded to the west by an undeveloped, vegetated area and drainage ditch; to the north and northeast by a grassy area and gravel parking pad; to the east by a grassy area where transmission lines converge on Building 1499; and to the south by a gravel road. The source of contamination at Site TU001 is releases from four former underground storage tanks (USTs), including two 25,000-gallon tanks (USTs 46 and 47); two 12,000-gallon tanks (USTs 48 and 49). A separate source area on the eastern side of Building 1499 with elevated metals in the shallow soil associated with paint removal activities, referred to as Blast Medium Area, is also present at Site TU001. The 2012 Site Characterization identified contaminants of concern (COCs) in soil and groundwater. Subsurface soil beneath and surrounding the former USTs is contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons greater than the Table B1 and B2 Method Two CULs. Groundwater concentrations of GRO, DRO, and fuel-related VOCs above the Table C CULs indicate that fuel releases from the former USTs have affected groundwater beneath Site TU001. To address the soil and groundwater contamination from the former diesel USTs and in the adjacent drainage ditch to the west of the site, six air sparge wells, four soil vapor extraction wells, three vapor monitoring points, three subslab vapor probes, and two groundwater monitoring wells have been installed. The treatment system is intended to treat the NAPL-contaminated soil source area on the west side of Building 1499.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
4/15/1991 Site Added to Database UST failed leak test. TCE and pesticides detected. Former Staff
8/21/1991 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = NOR - Notice of Release Letter (LUST)). Dennis Timmons
4/28/1992 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. Former Staff
1/10/1996 Update or Other Action Received Draft Baseline Risk Assessment, Volume 4, Addendum (2 reports). Kalu Kalu
1/10/1996 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RI - Remedial Investigation). Received DRAFT FINAL Remedial Investigation Report, Volume 1. Kalu Kalu
2/15/1996 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RI - Remedial Investigation). Received Engineering Evaluation / Cost Analysis, Potential TCE Impact to the Drinking Water Supply, "Galena Airport", and Engineering Evaluation / Cost Analysis, Million Gallon Hill Source Area of the West Unit Galena Airport and Cost Analysis and Lubricants Area, Galena Airport, and Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study, Galena Airport. Kalu Kalu
3/22/1996 Update or Other Action Received Engineering / Cost Analysis, DDT/POL Contaminated Soil Stockpile, Galena Airport. Kalu Kalu
3/27/1996 Update or Other Action Received Baseline Risk Assessment Report "FINAL", Volumes 1 through 4. Kalu Kalu
3/27/1996 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RI - Remedial Investigation). Received Remedial Investigation Report FINAL, Volumes 1 and 7 only. Kalu Kalu
6/1/1996 Update or Other Action Comments on the United States Air Force, 6llth Civil Engineer Squadron's Final Baseline Risk Assessment Report, Galena Airport, Alaska, Volume IV, Addendum, received 7/1/1996. Kalu Kalu
6/1/1996 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RA - Remedial Action). Remedial Action documents received 7/2/1996: Draft Standard Operating Procedures for Hazardous Materials; Project Activities Work Plan and Environmental Cleanup Plan; and Quality Program Plan, Volume I, Draft Environmental Health and Safety Plan, Volume II, Draft Sampling and Analysis Plan, and Volume III, Draft Construction Quality Plan. Kalu Kalu
3/27/1997 Update or Other Action Site updated by Shannon and Wilson, based on the Air Force Relative Risk Evaluation Worksheet dated 8/29/95. S&W
9/26/2002 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Changed Toxicity Value to 4 from 2 to reflect presence of hazardous substances. Checked Multiple Sources. Former Staff
2/21/2003 Update or Other Action Staff Updated problem and comment statements in database. This site is believed to be a UST site, not the same as Building 1845. Ann Farris
9/3/2003 Site Number Identifier Changed Changed Workplan from X0 to X9 to reflect presence of DDT at site. Former Staff
9/17/2003 Update or Other Action Staff received the Draft Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study Work Plan for Galena Airport. Staff has begun review of the document. A comment resolution/technical project team meeting is scheduled October 2-3rd in Anchorage. This work plan is intended to address the many outstanding site characterization issues that were raised by Louden Tribal Council, the Environmental Protection Agency, and ADEC as well as the Remedial Process Optimization Evaluation completed in 2002. Ann Farris
1/22/2004 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff attended the 7th Galena Technical Project Team Meeting on January 12 through 15th. We discussed most of the contaminated sites at the Galena Air Force Station and the Campion Radio Relay Station. We evaluated the adequacy of the historical site characterization, the need for further characterization, possible remedial options, the adequacy of exiting remediation systems, and the need for a risk assessment. Of the 23 sites reviewed at the meeting, 5 are closed already by ADEC, 5 are believed to not need any further characterization or remediation. The remaining 13 need additional investigation or remediation of some type. Additionally, there are a few sites that were not covered during this meeting that will still need to be reviewed. Power Plant Tank #49 -The site is sufficiently characterized. The Air Force still needs to look for documentation that the tanks were removed along with the contaminated soil, but there were verbal reports from the power plant workers that this occurred. The area currently has ASTs on top of it. No further work necessary under the RI. Decision probably to NFRAP with ICs. Ann Farris
8/30/2004 Meeting or Teleconference Held 11th Galena Technical Project Team in Anchorage. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
8/31/2004 Update or Other Action The USAF's Proposed Plan remedy for the site is No Further Action with Institutional Controls. However, because contamination still remains at the site above cleanup levels, ADEC recommended the site instead be considered for No Further Remedial Action Planned (NFRAP) status. The recommendation of NFRAP is tied to the implementation of the proposed Institutional Controls, which include provisions against excavation in specified areas and prevention of drinking water well installation in the site vicinity. The Proposed Plan will be put forth for public comment after it is finalized. Colin Craven
10/21/2004 Meeting or Teleconference Held Galena RAB meeting. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
11/5/2004 Meeting or Teleconference Held 12th Galena Technical Project Team in Anchorage. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
11/19/2004 Meeting or Teleconference Held Attended a week long meeting in San Antonio, Texas to participate in the formulation of an outline for the Galena Airport and Campion Air Station Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS). Colin Craven
1/12/2005 Update or Other Action Apparent overlap between this Contaminated Site entry and an entry in the Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) database will be reconciled upon a review of historical information. Colin Craven
1/28/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held Galena RAB meeting. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
1/28/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held 13th Galena Technical Project Team in Galena. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
4/19/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held 14th Galena Technical Project Team in Anchorage. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
4/26/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held Galena RAB meeting. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
5/13/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held 15th Galena Technical Project Team meeting in Galena. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
6/9/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held 16th Galena Technical Project Team in Anchorage. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
7/20/2005 GIS Position Updated Location updated by interpolation from USGS quadrangle map. Colin Craven
8/30/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held 17th Galena Technical Project Team in Galena. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
9/2/2005 Update or Other Action DEC commented on the draft final Proposed Plan that recommended site closure for five Installation Restoration Program sites. DEC recommended conditional closure for the Power Plant Tank No. 49 site. Documented surface and subsurface soil contamination to the south of the Power Plant Tank site was recommended for further action under an inactive Waste Accumulation Area site (see separate database entry for that site). Since the excavation of the Power Plant Tank No. 49 was poorly documented, Institutional Controls are recommended for any remaining contamination that may still exist around the existing Power Plant infrastructure. Colin Craven
10/12/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held Galena RAB meeting. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
10/20/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held 18th Galena Technical Project Team in Anchorage. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
1/26/2006 Meeting or Teleconference Held 19th Galena Technical Project Team in Galena. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
3/14/2006 Meeting or Teleconference Held 20th Galena Technical Project Team in Anchorage. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
6/20/2006 Meeting or Teleconference Held 21st Galena Technical Project Team in Galena. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
10/6/2006 Meeting or Teleconference Held 22nd Galena Technical Project Team meeting in Anchorage. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
11/17/2006 Meeting or Teleconference Held 23rd Galena Technical Project Team meeting in Fairbanks. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
1/18/2007 Meeting or Teleconference Held 24th Galena Technical Project Team meeting in Anchorage. See the "Galena AFS - Sitewide" listing for more details. Colin Craven
4/1/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other QAPP reviewed Fred Vreeman
8/1/2010 Update or Other Action QAPP approved Fred Vreeman
5/23/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Site specific discussions held during meeting. Fred Vreeman
6/23/2011 Conceptual Site Model Submitted CSM submitted Fred Vreeman
6/23/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other SC work plan recieved and reviewed, comments sent to USAF. Fred Vreeman
7/11/2011 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 72396 name: auto-generated pm edit Galena AFS - Power Plant Tank 49 Amanda Loomis
8/2/2011 Update or Other Action TU001 Response to comments submitted by USAF Fred Vreeman
9/9/2011 Update or Other Action Conditional approval for field work at TU001 and response to comment replies sent to USAF Fred Vreeman
4/27/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received a Draft Site Characterization results report for Site TU001. Dennis Shepard
9/7/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Provided review comments for the Draft Site Characterization results report. Dennis Shepard
6/6/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other A response to comments and a Draft Final version of the Site Characterization report was submitted. Dennis Shepard
6/19/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Provided comments for the Draft Final version of the Site Characterization results report. Dennis Shepard
7/22/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held A teleconference meeting was held to resolve remaining issues for the Site Characterization results report. All remaining issues for the report were resolved. Dennis Shepard
10/25/2013 Site Characterization Report Approved DEC approval of the Site Characterization (SC) Results Report for Power Plant Tank 49 (Site TU001), Former Galena Forward Operating Location (FOL), Alaska. Monte Garroutte
9/5/2014 Site Characterization Report Approved DEC approved the Supplemental Site Characterization (SC) Results Report, Power Plant Tank 49 (TU001), Former Galena Forward Operating Location (FOL), Alaska. Monte Garroutte
11/28/2014 Site Characterization Report Approved DEC approved the Addendum Site Characterization (SC) Results Report, Power Plant Tank 49 (Site TU001), Former Galena Forward Operating Location (FOL), Alaska. The purpose of the addendum was to address requirements for an SC Report under 18 AAC 75.335 (c) (DEC, 2012), specifically, to propose cleanup levels and remedial techniques for the site. Monte Garroutte
11/28/2014 Risk Assessment Report Approved DEC approved the Screening Level Ecological Risk Assessment for Power Plant Tank 49 (Site TU001). Potential risks were estimated for terrestrial plants, soil invertebrates, birds, and mammals potentially exposed to soils. Selected Contaminants Of Potential Ecologic Concern included 4,4-DDE and 4,4-DDT (birds and mammals) and C10-C25 DRO and C-6-C10 GRO (plants and soil invertebrates), showed a small potential for risk under conservative assumptions and were evaluated further. Additional evaluation of the data (depths, locations, and/or number of detections exceeding Threshold Reference Values), exposure assumptions and exposure point concentrations used in the risk refinement indicated that under more realistic assumptions, there were no unacceptable risks. Dennis Shepard
3/30/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided comments for the Draft subsurface (vertical well) clean up plan submitted on January 27, 2016. The plan included a proposal for alternate cleanup levels (ACLs) developed 4-phase hydrocarbon risk calculator. Dennis Shepard
6/29/2016 Cleanup Plan Approved DEC approved the Subsurface Aeration (Vertical Well) Cleanup Plan for site TU001. Dennis Shepard
6/30/2016 Cleanup Plan Approved DEC approved the Subsurface Aeration (Vertical Well) Cleanup Plan for Sites ST020, SS005, CST014, CST011 Area 2, and TU001. Dennis Shepard
10/26/2016 Meeting or Teleconference Held A restoration Advisory board meeting was held in Galena Alaska to discuss the general and specific status of site investigations and cleanup at Galena. Dennis Shepard
8/8/2018 Site Visit DEC conducted a site visit at the Former Forward Operating Location in Galena, AK on August 8-9, 2018. A photo log is available in DEC's electronic file. Jamie McKellar
10/29/2018 Site Visit On October 23, 2018, DEC participated in the Technical Project Team (TPT) meeting with representatives from USAF and ADOT&PF. A site visit with inspections of each site was conducted the following day (10/24/2018) in Galena, as well as a regional advisory board (RAB) meeting with members of the community and other interested parties. Jamie McKellar
4/5/2019 Site Visit On April 2, 2019, DEC staff participated in a Technical Project Team meeting with representatives from USAF, Parsons, CH2M, and ADOT. The TPT meeting was held at the Fairbanks DEC office. On April 3-4, 2019, DEC staff traveled to Galena to participate in meetings with the City Mayor & RAB chair to discuss community concerns about site cleanup; a Proposed Plan meeting for Site DP023, and a community regional advisory board (RAB) meeting to discuss fieldwork completed during the 2018 field season and upcoming 2019 fieldwork. Site visits were also conducted. Jamie McKellar
10/23/2019 Meeting or Teleconference Held On October 22, 2019, DEC participated in the Technical Project Team (TPT) meeting with representatives from USAF and ADOT&PF. A site visit was conducted the following day (10/23/2019) in Galena, as well as a regional advisory board (RAB) meeting with members of the community and other interested parties. Jamie McKellar
10/30/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other REPORT APPROVAL: Final Performance Monitoring Report (CH2M Hill Sites) for Sites ST020, SS005, CST014, CST011 Area 2, TU001, CG001, CG002, CB001 and Southern ST005, Former Galena Forward Operating Location, Alaska (CH2M, October 2019) Jamie McKellar
5/21/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other REPORT APPROVAL: 2019 Performance Monitoring Report (CH2M Hill Sites) for Sites ST020, SS005, CST014, CST011 Area 2, TU001, CG001, CG002, CB001, Southern ST005, and ST005 Area C (CH2M, May 2020) Jamie McKellar
9/16/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 72396 Site TU001 Former USTs. Jamie McKellar
9/16/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80651 name: Blast Media Area Jamie McKellar
11/3/2020 Update or Other Action NO FURTHER ACTION: On 11/3/2020, DEC issued a No Further Action letter for the Blast Media Area, within Site TU001. Site TU001 will remain open until all source areas at this site are closed. Jamie McKellar
5/3/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other WORK PLAN APPROVED: Final 2021 Remedial Process Optimization Work Plan (Sites CG001, CST011 Area 2, CST014, SS005, ST005 Area C, Southern ST005, and TU001), Former Galena Forward Operating Location, Alaska (CH2M, April 2021) Jamie McKellar
5/3/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other REPORT APPROVED: Final Data Quality Assessment, November 2019 – October 2020, Soil Vapor Monitoring for Sites CG001, CST014, SS005, ST005 Area C, Southern ST005, and TU001 (CH2M, April 2021) Jamie McKellar
5/3/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other REPORT APPROVED: Final Data Quality Assessment, September – October 2020 Groundwater Monitoring at Sites CG001, CST011, CST014, SS005, Southern ST005, ST005 Area C, and TU001. Jamie McKellar
11/30/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM APPROVAL: Final 2021 Remediation System and Well Decommissioning and Replacement (Sites CG001, CSS002, SS025, ST005, ST020, and TU001), CH2M/Jacobs, November 2021 Jamie McKellar
6/29/2022 Meeting or Teleconference Held CS Staff attended a presentation by USAF contractors CH2M and Parsons regarding sample results obtained with submersible pumps and Passive Diffusion Bags (PDBs). Jamie McKellar
1/31/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other WORK PLAN ADDENDUM APPROVAL: 2022 Remedial Process Optimization Work Plan Addendum (Sites CG001, CST011 Area 2, CST014, SS005, ST005 Area C, Southern ST005, and TU001). Jamie McKellar
8/31/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other WORK PLAN APPROVAL: Final 2023 Data Collection Sampling Plan (Sites SS005, CST014, CST011 Area 2, TU001, CG001, Southern ST005, and ST005 Area C), Former Galena Forward Operating Location, Alaska (CH2M, August 29, 2023) Jamie McKellar
11/15/2023 Site Visit DEC, DOT, USAF, and contractors met at the Fairbanks DEC office on May 2, 2023 for a Technical Project Team meeting. The following day a site visit and Regional Advisory Board (RAB) meeting were held in Galena. Meeting minutes for the TPT and RAB meetings were approved on November 15, 2023. Jamie McKellar
11/16/2023 Long Term Monitoring Workplan or Report Review REPORT APPROVED: Data Quality Assessment 2022 Groundwater Monitoring for Sites CG001, CST011, CST014, SS005, ST005 Area C, Southern ST005, and TU001, Former Galena Forward Operating Location, Alaska (CH2M, October 2023) Jamie McKellar
11/16/2023 Long Term Monitoring Workplan or Report Review REPORT APPROVAL: Data Quality Assessment October 2021 – May 2022, Soil Vapor Monitoring for Sites CST014, ST005 Area C, Southern ST005, and TU001, Former Galena Forward Operating Location, Alaska (CH2M, October 2023) Jamie McKellar
11/20/2023 Long Term Monitoring Workplan or Report Review REPORT APPROVED: Remedial Process Optimization Report (Sites CG001, CST011 Area 2, CST014, SS005, ST005 Area C, Southern ST005, and TU001), Former Galena Forward Operating Location, Alaska (CH2M, November 2023) Jamie McKellar
11/20/2023 Update or Other Action REPORT APPROVED: Data Quality Assessment 2021 Groundwater Monitoring for Sites ST005 Area C, Southern ST005, SS005, CG001, CST011, CST014 and TU001 (CH2M, May 2022) Jamie McKellar
4/23/2024 Meeting or Teleconference Held CS staff participated in the biannual Technical Project Team (TPT) meeting with representatives from USAF BRAC, Parsons, Jacobs/CH2M Hill, and EA Engineering. The meeting was held at the EA Engineering office in Anchorage, AK. Jamie McKellar
6/24/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed and supplied comments to the USAF regarding the Performance Monitoring Report (PMR), which presents results of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 performance monitoring of remediation systems at the Former Galena Forward Operating Location (FOL). During FY 2023, the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) conducted air sparging, soil vapor extraction, and vapor intrusion mitigation systems operations, along with groundwater monitoring. The report details recommendations for future remedial actions, including continued monitoring and operations of soil cleanup systems. Tim Sharp
7/11/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC Approved the Final 2023 Performance Monitoring Report for Sites SS005, CST014, CST011 Area 2, TU001, CG001, Southern ST005, and ST005 Area C, Former Galena Forward Operating Location on this date. Tim Sharp

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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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