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Site Report: Indian Mt. LRRS Waste Area (SS009)

Site Name: Indian Mt. LRRS Waste Area (SS009)
Address: 15 Miles East of Hughes, Hughes, AK 99745
File Number: 775.38.001
Hazard ID: 142
Status: Active
Staff: Brian Watts, 9072694702 brian.watts@alaska.gov
Latitude: 65.996350
Longitude: -153.693700
Horizontal Datum:NAD83

We make every effort to ensure the data presented here is accurate based on the best available information currently on file with DEC. It is therefore subject to change as new information becomes available. We recommend contacting the assigned project staff prior to making decisions based on this information.

Problems/Comments

The site is a former waste accumulation area (near the old power plant) used to store liquid wastes from the 1950s to the 1980s. Spill/Leaks Number 4 and 11, of diesel and waste oil respectively, occurred here in the 1970s. Fuel, fuel components, and metals are the major contaminants. IRP site SS009. See also Reckey 198331X107301. Site is adjacent to the Indian River and the drinking water well for the installation. Potential receptors identified as site workers and visitors, large and small mammals and birds, salmon and grayling (Indian Mountain is a spawning stream). Hunters, fishers, and gold miners are also potential receptors.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
8/25/1995 Site Characterization Report Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = FS - Feasibility Study (General)). Four monitoring wells were installed at the site. The action date used is the date of the Air Force Relative Risk Evaluation Worksheet, which indicates the site is in the feasibility study phase. Former Staff
1/24/1997 Site Added to Database Site added by Shannon and Wilson. See also Reckey 198331X107301. S&W
6/1/1998 Update or Other Action GW sampling and fish sampling. Fish where taken later in the year in the Indian River Patrice Buck
3/1/1999 Update or Other Action Technical Report for Sorce Area SS09 Patrice Buck
8/1/1999 Update or Other Action GW sampling and fish sampling. Background fish taken in the Koyukuk River Patrice Buck
11/21/2003 Update or Other Action Staff reviewed and commented on the Technical Memorandum for the 2003 sampling results at Site SS09, U.S. Air Force Indian Mountain Long Range Radar Station. The Air Force sampled the seven existing monitoring wells and drilled two new wells. DRO levels in the groundwater range from non-detect to 25 mg/L. The two new wells sampling results show exceedences of 18 AAC 75 Method 2 and Table C cleanup levels for DRO, lead, arsenic and trichloroethylene (TCE). It is believed that an old storm drain from the former Vehicle Maintenance Building transported the contamination to this location which is 20 feet from the Indian River. The Air Force consultants will prepare a work plan for further site characterization to determine if these contaminants are impacting the river Patrice Buck
12/9/2003 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff met with the Air Force and their consultants to discuss possible further site characterization at SS09 and SS11, at the Indian Mountain LRRS. Further investigation is needed at SS09 to determine if contamination is migrating into the Indian River. The Air Force contractor is proposing using test pits between MW 12 and MW13 to develop a transect to determine the optimum placement of a permanent monitoring well. At SS11, sample results appear to show the DRO contamination has migrated in one direction, down an old pipeline. Additional sampling along the pipeline may show how far the plume has traveled Patrice Buck
8/17/2004 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Staff reviewed and sent an approval letter for a work plan for a follow-on remedial investigation that will involve installation and sampling of 6 new well points, sampling at 6 existing monitoring wells, and removal of a manhole and associated piping during summer 2004. Tamar Stephens
12/2/2004 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff attended a meeting on December 2, 2004 with Air Force staff and contractors working on Indian Mountain LRRS site in Interior Alaska. Staff discussed the issues at the site and concluded that the most important issues are 1) the reported high levels of DRO in two monitoring wells located immediately adjacent to the Indian River (near SS09) and 2) PCB-contaminated soil at 3,500 mg/kg in the upper camp. Emily Youcha
12/28/2004 Update or Other Action Staff reviewed and commented on a report titled "Follow-On Remedial Investigation at SS09 and SS11 - Draft Report". Diesel range organics (DRO) and trichloroethylene (TCE) in monitoring wells adjacent to Indian River are above cleanup levels. The stream is in hydrologic communication with the ground water. New well points were installed and sampled last summer at the ground-water/surface-water interface with detections of DRO below cleanup levels. However, the well point sampling results can only be used as screening level data due to improper well point installation techniques. Emily Youcha
3/9/2005 Update or Other Action Staff particpated in a discussion of report titled "Follow-On Remedial Investigation at SS09 and SS11 - Draft Report". Well installation techniques were discussed, along with clarifications to the report. Focused feasibility study will occur in 2006 for this site. Emily Youcha
6/15/2005 Update or Other Action The spring Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting in Hughes for the Indian Mountain LRRS was cancelled by the 611th Civil Engineer Squadron due to difficulty obtaining permission for travel from the Air Force. A RAB meeting has not been held in Hughes since 2003. Additionally, a field visit that was to be conducted in July by the Air Force and Contaminated Sites staff was cancelled due to similar problems. Emily Youcha
9/30/2005 Update or Other Action Staff visited the Indian Mtn LRRS and visited the IRP and compliance sites with the contractor operating the radar station (Arctec). Weather conditions limited a visit to the top of Upper Camp. Emily Youcha
2/1/2006 Institutional Control Record Established The 611th CES Base General Plan indicates land-use controls for this site. LUCs are not final but state that no action or activity should occur at this site. The 611 CES should be contacted if any work is proposed in the vicinity of the site. Emily Youcha
3/2/2006 Update or Other Action Staff received a risk assessment workplan for this site. The review will be contracted out because we currently do not have a risk assessor avialable to review the document. Emily Youcha
4/14/2006 Update or Other Action Staff contracted the review to Oasis Environmental (Krista Graham) for project continuity. Staff provided minor comments on the workplan. Tthe workplan will be approved after comments are resolved. Emily Youcha
8/10/2006 Update or Other Action Most of the comments are adequately addressed in this final Risk Assessment for SS09/SS11 workplan and so the workplan is therefore approved. ADEC expects additional explanation and clarification on a few of our comments in the risk assessment report (see Response to Review Comments dated 4-10-2006 for the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessments at SS09 and SS11Workplan – Draft February 2006, comment numbers 2, 3, 8, 10, and 14). Because the Air Force expects to retain management of this land, this risk assessment is tailored to the industrial-use scenario. However, if there is ever a change in land use, the Air Force will be required to re-evaluate risk at the site under residential and subsistence land-use scenarios. Although the intent of the risk assessment is not clearly indicated in the report, if alternative soil cleanup levels (based on the risk assessment) higher than ADEC Method Two Soil Cleanup levels are proposed for SS09 and SS11, it must be demonstrated that there is no risk to human health and the environment and contamination will not migrate to surface water, ground water, or other exposure media and receptors. Additionally, institutional controls are required for all contamination above the most stringent Method Two Soil Cleanup levels. Emily Youcha
8/22/2006 GIS Position Updated Updated site coordinates based on USGS Quad Map. Emily Youcha
4/1/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed. Tamar Stephens
2/5/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed draft Focused Feasibility Study at SS009 and SS011; sent review letter with comments. Tamar Stephens
12/30/2010 CERCLA FS Approved final Focused Feasibility Study (FFS) at SS009 and SS011. FFS evaluates remedial alternatives for cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater. Tamar Stephens
4/7/2011 CERCLA Proposed Plan Reviewed and sent comments on draft Proposed Plan for Remedial Action at SS009 and SS011. Tamar Stephens
8/23/2011 CERCLA Proposed Plan Approved final Proposed Plan for Remedial Action at SS009 and SS011. The preferred alternative proposed by the Air Force for SS009 is monitored natural attenuation for soil and groundwater, combined with the use of institutional controls to prevent exposure to soil and groundwater contaminants. Tamar Stephens
1/30/2013 CERCLA ROD Approved DEC and the USAF signed a ROD for SS009, the area of the lower camp between the residential/industrial dome and the Indian River. The area was used to store waste oils, gasoline and other liquids in above ground storage tanks, which have been removed. Residual contaminants of concern and cleanup levels for petroleum contamination in groundwater include GRO (2.2 mg/L), DRO (1.5 mg/L), RRO (1.1 mg/L), benzene (0.005 mg/L), naphthalene (0.73 mg/L), methylnaphthalene (0.15 mg/L), TCE (0.005 mg/L). Soi contamination and cleanup levels include GRO (300 mg/kg), RR0 (11,000 mg/kg), xylenes (63 mg/kg) and naphthalene (20 mg/kg). Sediment contamination and cleanup levels are DRO (250 mg/kg) and GRO (300 mg/kg). The selected remedy is Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) (for groundwater) and institutional controls (for soil and groundwater). Institutional controls (ICs) will include documenting the location of the site and limitations on future use in the USAF Real Property Records, the Base General Plan, the 611 ASG Land Use Control Management Plan, and the State land records. The AF facility construction review processes and dig permit system will be used to prevent groundwater use and residential use activities and ensure any excavation or subsurface activities at the site include proper waste characterization and management. The USAF will conduct annual MNA monitoring and reporting until the AF and DEC agree to a reduced frequency. The USAF will conduct inspections of the site and the ICs/LUCs and will submit an annual report to DEC for the first five years after the ROD was signed; at that time the AF and DEC will determine whether the inspection and reporting frequency should be modified. John Halverson
11/6/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received a Draft Work Plan for 2013 Environmental Long Term Monitoring at Indian Mountain, Long Range Radar Station. The Work Plan describes field work including groundwater sampling at site SS009. Dennis Shepard
11/26/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received a Draft Report for 2013 Environmental Long Term Monitoring (LTM) at Indian Mountain, Long Range Radar Station. The Report describes field work including groundwater sampling at site SS009, and a land survey to identify site boundaries of eight of the eleven contaminant areas (SD001, LF004, LF005, LF006, SS002, SS009, SS010, and SS011) at the Indian Mountain LRRS. Dennis Shepard
11/27/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided review comments for the Draft Work Plan for 2013 Environmental Long Term Monitoring at Indian Mountain, Long Range Radar Station. The Work Plan describes field work including groundwater sampling at site SS009, and a land survey to identify site boundaries of eight of the eleven contaminant areas (SD001, LF004, LF005, LF006, SS002, SS009, SS010, and SS011) at the Indian Mountain LRRS. Dennis Shepard
11/27/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided preliminary comments for the 2013 Environmental Long Term Monitoring (LTM) report for Indian Mountain, Long Range Radar Station. The Report describes field work including groundwater sampling at site SS009, and a land survey to identify site boundaries of eight of the eleven contaminant areas (SD001, LF004, LF005, LF006, SS002, SS009, SS010, and SS011) at the Indian Mountain LRRS. The report did not included a complete laboratory analytical report. DEC has requested the laboratory analytical report be submitted prior to completing its review. Dennis Shepard
12/23/2013 Update or Other Action Site transferred to Guy Warren Rebecca Bryan
3/28/2014 Update or Other Action Received Final 2013 ELTM report for site SS009 at Indian Mountain. Report recommends continuation of LTM, repairing several wells, and decommissioning of two wells. All comments have been addressed. Guy Warren
7/7/2014 Update or Other Action Submit comments on the Draft 2014 Work Plan Addendum for ELTM at Indian Mountain. Comments focused on ensuring recommendations from 2013 were carried forward and limiting additional analysis to this year if results did not exceed applicable cleanup levels. Guy Warren
8/12/2014 Update or Other Action Submit approval letter for Final 2014 Work plan addendum. All comments have been addressed and the work plan is approved. Guy Warren
2/19/2015 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved Final 2014 Environmental Long Term Monitoring Report for site SS009. The report includes recommendations to streamline the ground water monitoring program by reducing analytes and decommissioning several wells where contaminants have not been detected in recent monitoring events. Annual groundwater monitoring will continue in 2015. Guy Warren
9/7/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC reviewed the "Draft Supplemental Work Plan- 2016 RAO, Land Use/IC" for several sites within the Indian Mountain LRRS. ADEC accepted all comment responses and requested a final document for approval. Work will include: sampling five existing wells (SS009- MW01, SS009-MW03, SS009-MW04, SS009-MW12, and SS009- MW013) for DRO and TCE; decommissioning upgradient wells MW09 and MW10; and perform statistical evaluation of the wells and estimate a date that cleanup levels are achieved. According to the March 2016 LTMR, additional signage is needed at SS009. The USACE PM stated this will be included in future work. Holly Weiss-Racine
6/15/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other The Final 2016 Long Term Monitoring (LTM) Activities report dated May 2017 is approved. The 2016 LTM activities included collecting analytical groundwater, surface water and sediment samples from LF004 for metals, and collecting analytical groundwater samples from SS009 for diesel range organics (DRO) and trichloroethylene (TCE). Institutional control (IC) inspections were carried out at LF005, LF006, SS002 and SS011. Due to winter conditions at SD001 and SS010, IC inspections could not be completed. The purpose of the groundwater monitoring and IC inspections is to verify the effectiveness of the approved remedies found in each site's Record of Decision (ROD). Erica Blake
9/19/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC has approved the 'Final Supplemental Work Plan 2017-2018 Remedial Action Operations, Land Use/Institutional Control, Indian Mountain Long Range Radar Station (LRRS), dated September 2017. This Work Plan presented long-term monitoring (LTM) activities at nine Indian Mountain LRRS sites; LF004, LF005, LF006, SD001, SS002, SS009, SS010, SS011 and OT008. LTM activities were; institutional control inspections [land use control (LUC) inspections and installation of signs] at all sites, analytical groundwater, surface water and sediment sampling at Site LF004, and analytical groundwater sampling at Site SS009. Erica Blake
3/6/2018 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC met with US Air Force (USAF) staff to review and discuss cleanup progress at all the Indian Mountain sites. The only ongoing work is the long-term monitoring (LTM) work at eight sites (SD001, LF004, LF005, LF006, SS011, SS002, SS009, SS010). Tentatively, there is additional work at OT008, Upper Camp PCB Spill and MMRP sites planned for 2019, pending funding from the USAF. The other sites; LUST, 2004 Spill Arctec, Fuel Offload Area (PL510) and the Incinerator Fuel Line were reviewed and discussed for a cleanup path forward. Erica Blake
7/13/2018 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the 2017 Five-Year Review Report for Sites LF004, LF005, LF006, SS002, SS009 and SS010 at the Indian Mountain Long Range Radar Station (LRRS) site. This is the first Five-Year Review for Indian Mountain. The remedy at LF004, LF005 and LF006 was determined to be not protective. The remedy at SS002, SS009 and SS010 was determined to be short-term protective. The next five-year review will be 5 years from the US Air Force signature date on this approved Five-Year Review. Erica Blake
8/31/2018 Site Visit DEC conducted a brief 4-hour site visit at the Indian Mountain Long Range Radar Station sites. DEC observed sites at both the Upper and Lower Camp areas. A lot of the Lower Camp sites extend into thick brush and wooded areas, and because time on the ground was limited, not all of those areas were inspected closely. At the Upper Camp, some of the sites are on the sides of very steep slopes, and were not visited. Warning signs were recently installed, and were visible at all the areas of concern. Erica Blake
6/10/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Report approved: 2017-2018 long term monitoring (LTM) activities at the Indian Mountain LRRS site which is located 18 miles east of Hughes, Alaska. Eight sites are included in this report; LF004, LF005, LF006, SS002, SS009, SS010, SS011 and OT008. Sites SS010 and OT008 are located in an area called Upper Camp and sites LF004, LF005, LF006, SS002, SS009, and SS011 are located in an area called Lower Camp. Groundwater and water samples from LF004 showed no exceedances for metals, although sediment samples showed lead over the probable effects level. Groundwater samples from SS009 showed exceedances of DRO and TCE. DRO contamination was stable or decreasing, but TCE was found to be increasing. The institutional control (IC) inspection found that IC’s were properly in place. One groundwater monitoring well had no water and thus was not sampled. Kevin Fraley
6/11/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other A 2019 supplemental work plan was approved, and presents proposed 2019 work and institutional control inspections at Indian Mountain Long Range Radar Station sites SS002, LF004, LF005, LF006, SS009, SS010, SS011, and OT008. Groundwater samples will be collected from monitoring wells at site SS009 and analyzed for diesel range organics (DRO) and trichloroethylene (TCE). Additionally, an institutional control inspection will be conducted at sites SS002, LF004, LF005, LF006, SS009, SS010, SS011, and OT008. Kevin Fraley
7/25/2020 CERCLA SI DEC approved the “Final Perfluorooctanoic Acid, Perfluoroctane Sulfonate, and Perfluorobutane Sulfonate Site Inspections, Uniform Federal Policy-Quality Assurance Project Plan Work Plan, Six Remote Radar Stations, Alaska” dated July 2020. This work plan was prepared by United States Air Force to guide investigation of the potential presence of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) at six remote radar sites in Alaska through the sampling of surface water, groundwater, soil and sediment. Sampling is planned for Cape Newenham, Cape Romanzof, Indian Mountain, Point Barrow, Sparrevohn and Tatalina, Melinda Brunner
8/5/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received and provided comments for the 2020 Draft Supplemental Work Plan for sites LF004, LF005, LF006, SS002, SS009, SS010, SS011, and OT008. Work mainly involved IC management such as inspecting landfill caps. 5 monitoring wells will be sampled for DRO and TCE at SS009. DEC requested that debris exposed by erosion at LF004 be removed, as recommended by the 2019 Report. No other comments were necessary. Tim Sharp
9/1/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC Approved the 2020 Final Supplemental Work Plan for Remedial Action Operations, Land Use/Institutional Controls at LF004, LF005, LF006, OT008, SD001, SS002, SS009, SS010, and SS011. The Proposed LTM and LUC/IC inspection activities include sampling 5 groundwater monitoring wells for analysis of DRO and TCE at SS009, landfill cap inspection at LF005 and LF005, and general IC inspections at all sites. Debris removal from LF004 due to erosion is scheduled to occur in 2021. Tim Sharp
4/14/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC sent comments on the 2020 RAO LUC/IC Report for LF004, LF005, LF006, OT008, SD001, SS002, SS009, SS010, and SS011. The majority of these sites were subject to basic IC monitoring such as sign maintenance and cap inspections. Site specific information in next comment. Tim Sharp
4/14/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Monitoring wells at SS009 were sampled for DRO and TCE, both of which were detected above cleanup levels in MW12. Recommendations include installing another monitoring well downgradient of the existing wells at SS009 to further evaluate the extent of the plume and continued IC maintenance. MW01 and MW04 are to be discontinued and decommissioned. Tim Sharp
5/12/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC sent comments for the Draft Work Plan RAO/LTM. The report details current conditions at several sites. It proposes LUC and IC inspections, landfill inspections, MW repairs, and MW sampling at LF004 and SS009. The majority of the comments focused on discrepancies between the unfinalized 2020 LTM Report and this 2021 LTM WP. DEC intends to approve a final report before finalizing the work plan if at all possible. Tim Sharp
5/18/2021 Institutional Control Periodic Reporting DEC Approved the Final 2020 RAO LUC/IC Report for sites LF004, LF005, LF006, OT008, SD001, SS002, SS009, SS010, and SS011. Recommendations for each site stayed largely the same as indicated previously. Tim Sharp
7/12/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC Approved the Final 2021 RAO and LTM Work Plan, with the understanding that several DEC recommendations put forward will be taken into consideration under a separate contract. This includes drum removal, potential installation of additional monitoring wells, and erosion control methods. Tim Sharp
6/12/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed and provided comments regarding the Draft Final Remedial Action-Operation and Long-Term Management Report Indian Mountain Long Range Radar Site Sites LF004, LF005, LF006, OT008, SD001, SS002, SS009, SS010, and SS011, dated May 2023.This report describes the long-term management and remedial action-operation activities performed at sites LF004, LF005, LF006, OT008, SD001, SS002, SS009, SS010, and SS011 at the Indian Mountain Long Range Radar Site (LRRS) during August of 2022. The report recommends continued monitoring at all the sites and the replacement of land use control signs at the LF006 and SS009 sites. Ginna Quesada
9/13/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC submitted responses to comments regarding the redline Final Remedial Action-Operation and Long-Term Management Report Indian Mountain Long Range Radar Site Sites LF004, LF005, LF006, OT008, SD001, SS002, SS009, SS010, and SS011, Dated September 2022. Ginna Quesada
10/12/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the Final Remedial Action-Operation and Long-Term Management Report Indian Mountain Long Range Radar Site Sites LF004, LF005, LF006, OT008, SD001, SS002, SS009, SS010, and SS011, dated October 2023. Ginna Quesada

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
GRO > Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil
DRO > Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil
DRO > Table C Groundwater
Manganese > Surface H20 Criteria Surface Water - Fresh
Lead - Total > Table C Groundwater
Trichloroethene > Table C Groundwater

Control Type

Type Details
Land Use Plan / Maps / Base Master Plan Base General Plan - Land Use Controls

Requirements

Description Details
Excavation / Soil Movement Restrictions LUCs are not final but state that no action or activity should occur at this site. The 611 CES should be contacted if any work is proposed in the vicinity of the site.

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

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