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Site Report: Galena AFS/Airport - SS005 Wilderness Hall

Site Name: Galena AFS/Airport - SS005 Wilderness Hall
Address: Wilderness Hall, E Side, N of POL Tnk Farm, Galena, AK 99741
File Number: 860.38.025
Hazard ID: 1948
Status: Active
Staff: Tim Sharp, 9074512131 tim.sharp@alaska.gov
Latitude: 64.741100
Longitude: -156.950700
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

Building 1872, now Wilderness Hall was constructed in 1979 as an airman dormitory. Since the late 1990s, however, it has been used as a boarding school dormitory. Petroleum contamination was encountered in the soil and groundwater at the southwest corner of the building. The source is unknown. Air Force Installation Restoration Program Site SS005. Until recently, the elevated contaminant levels around the Wilderness Hall building were grouped into the North POL Tank Farm plume. In 2002, the USAF decided that a new site should be formed around Wilderness Hall, and IRP Site SS005 was created. --Updated 2011-- April 2010 In April 2010 a Work Plan for Site Inspection, Remedial Investigation, and Site Characterization Former Galena Forward Operating Location, Alaska was developed. B1872, Wilderness Hall, was identified as a candidate for the site characterization pathway. The goal of the site characterization pathway is to characterize nature and extent of contamination both laterally and vertically. Target analytes being investigated are: GRO, RRO, DRO, BTEX, VOCs, 1, 2 DCE, EDB, PAHs, lead, and pesticides. This site was also analyzed for possible analytes from within a 500ft radius of the site boundary. From this analysis, pesticides were added to the target analyte list. Initial sampling at this site is expected to be completed during the 2010 field season. ---------------------------- August 2010 Results from the First Triad meeting: Data from the on-site lab was available at for this site. Analytes that that the on-site lab can analyze for include: GRO, DRO, RRO, and BTEX. The on-site lab can also perform PCE and TCE screenings. The other target analytes for this site are sent to an off-site lab and the results were not available for discussion. This site will be re-visited once all data is available. Lab results: SS005-GP004; 2,090J mg/kg GRO [10.0ft bgs] – BTEX [0,5,10ft] SS005_GP002; DRO 310.2 mg/kg [10.0ft bgs] – GRO 15,200 mg/kg [10.0ft bgs] – BTEX [10 and 22 ft bgs] SS005_GP009; DRO 1,999 mg/kg [5.0ft bgs] – GRO 1,490 mg/kg [5.0ft bgs] – BTEX [5ft bgs] SS05_GP007; DRO 668.2 mg/kg [0.0ft bgs] SS005_GP001, GP008 –BTEX [10 and 12ft bgs] Five additional borings have been approved Results from the Fourth Triad meeting: Data from the on-site lab was available at for this site. Analytes that that the on-site lab can analyze for include: GRO, DRO, RRO, and BTEX. The on-site lab can also perform PCE and TCE screenings. The other target analytes for this site are sent to an off-site lab and the results were not available for discussion. This site will be re-visited once all data is available. On-site lab results from the first set of step out locations: Step out locations on the western side of the site SS005_GP015 and GP014 showed BTEX below screening levels (SL). Western step out samples SS005_GP009 and GP012 showed Benzene slightly above SL at .03 and .06 mg/kg at 40 ft bgs. The final step out SS05_GP011 showed GRO at 1890 mg/kg at 32 ft bgs, and BTEX exceedances at 32 ft bgs. Concurrence reached on 8/26/2010 that no further stepout sampling is necessary. During the April 2011 TPT meeting SS005 was added to the Interim Removal Action Work Plan. The goal of the IRA is to remove soil above cleanup levels to achieve complete closure. This work is scheduled to begin in August 2011. Between July and November 2011, approximatly 2,500 cubic yards of Petroleum contaminated soil was excavated and removed from Site SS005. The Petroleum contaminated soil was transported and stockpiled at the Campion landfarm site on the former Campion Air Strip.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
8/2/2004 Site Added to Database Petroleum contamination. Deborah Williams
8/2/2004 Update or Other Action DOD ranking is High. Deborah Williams
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
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 Submitted comments to the Air Force to finalize the 2004 Site Recommendations for the upcoming Remedial Investigation report. The 2004 Site Recommendations were produced during the November 2004 meetings in San Antonio, Texas. 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
3/18/2005 Update or Other Action Comment resolution between DEC and the Air Force has been achieved on the draft Human Health Risk Assessment Work Plan for the Galena Airport and Campion Air Station. The Air Force contractors are currently finalizing the work plan. 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 Updated the site location 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
9/6/2005 Update or Other Action DEC had requested an update on the status of the Building 1872 (Wilderness Hall) soil vapor extraction (SVE) system earlier in the year, but had not received a response from the Air Force. During the August TPT meeting held on base, a site visit was made to inspect the condition of the SVE system. The blower was not running and appeared to have burned out. It is not known how long the system ran before failing. The original plan was to run the SVE system from the summer of 2004 for only one year. 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
10/20/2005 Update or Other Action After discovering the burned out blower motor on the Wilderness Hall SVE, ADEC requested a replacement be installed. The Air Force is refusing to do so, presumably due to preliminary results of the pending risk assessment. Since this site has much lower potential risk than other sites with active remediation, the results of the risk assessment will be reviewed before taking further action. Colin Craven
1/3/2006 Update or Other Action DEC received the draft Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study. The Air Force is proposing no active remediation due to low contaminant concentrations, but instead long term monitoring and land use controls. DEC comments will be submitted in February. 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
3/7/2006 Update or Other Action The draft risk assessment found no unacceptable risk for this site, so no feasibility study was conducted, and the Air Force has proposed long term groundwater monitoring (LTM) and land use controls (LUCs) until residual contamination has attenuated to Method 2 cleanup levels. DEC agrees with LTM and LUCs, but can not agree to the adequacy of this remedy until comments on the draft risk assessment are resolved. 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 SS005 SC work plan reviewed Fred Vreeman
7/28/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held TRIAD meeting, 2010 sample data discussed Fred Vreeman
8/1/2010 Conceptual Site Model Submitted Site specific CSM submitted as part of SC work plan Fred Vreeman
8/1/2010 Site Characterization Workplan Approved SC Workplan for SS005 approved as part of larger QAPP Fred Vreeman
9/1/2010 Site Visit Site visit to Galena -- field work audit Amanda Loomis
2/16/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held TPT meeting in Anchorage Fred Vreeman
6/9/2011 Site Visit Site visit to Galena -- Field work audit Fred Vreeman
7/1/2011 Update or Other Action Interim Removal Action workplan recieved from USAF. Fred Vreeman
7/7/2011 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 72926 name: auto-generated pm edit Galena AFS - Bldg. 1872 Amanda Loomis
7/8/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Letter accepting response to comments sent to USAF for Interim removal action Fred Vreeman
7/22/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Interim Removal Action Work Plan additional markups received from USAF. Fred Vreeman
7/26/2011 Interim Removal Action Approved Work Plan for interim removal action at this site approved Fred Vreeman
8/2/2011 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved Off site soil transport form approved. Soil taken to lined stockpile located on the Campion AS runway. Fred Vreeman
9/2/2011 Update or Other Action Interim Removal Action Workplan Final version Fred Vreeman
5/16/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received a Draft Site Characterization Report for the Site. Dennis Shepard
5/16/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received a Draft Interim Removal Action Excavation Report for Sites SS005, AST1569, SS014, and SS017. Dennis Shepard
11/2/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided review comments for the Draft Site Characterization Report. Dennis Shepard
6/14/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received a Draft Final version of the Site Characterization results report for site. Dennis Shepard
8/29/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided comments for the Draft Final Site Characterization results report. Dennis Shepard
9/6/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held A teleconference was held to discuss final resolution of comments for the SS005 Site Characterization Report. Dennis Shepard
9/24/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held A teleconference call was held to resolve remaining issues for the Site characterization results report for site. Dennis Shepard
9/26/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received the Final site characterization results report for site. Dennis Shepard
10/2/2013 Site Characterization Report Approved DEC approved the Site Characterization results report for the Site. Dennis Shepard
9/5/2014 Site Characterization Report Approved DEC approved the Supplemental Site Characterization (SC) Results Report, Wilderness Hall, Former Building 1872 (Site SS005), Former Galena Forward Operating Location (FOL), Alaska Monte Garroutte
11/5/2014 Institutional Control Record Established Institutional Controls established and entered into the database. Dennis Shepard
11/24/2014 Site Characterization Report Approved DEC approved the Addendum Site Characterization (SC) Results Report, Wilderness Hall, Former Building 1872 (Site SS005), 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
6/29/2016 Cleanup Plan Approved DEC approved the Subsurface Aeration (Vertical Well) Cleanup Plan for site SS005. 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
10/11/2017 Update or Other Action DEC approved the Subsurface Aeration (Vertical Well) Construction Completion Report for Sites ST020, SS005, CST014, CST011 Area 2, and TU001. Dennis Shepard
6/29/2018 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the Technical Memorandum, 2018 Data Collection Sampling Plan for Sites ST005 Area D, ST020, SS005, CST011 Area 2, and CG001, Former Galena Forward Operating Location (CH2M, June 28, 2018). 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
4/23/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other REPORT APPROVAL: Final Data Quality Assessment, October 2020 Soil Sampling for Site SS005, Former Galena Forward Operating Location, Alaska (CH2M, April 2021) 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
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
11/20/2023 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
11/20/2023 Update or Other Action REPORT APPROVED: Data Quality Assessment October 2021 Soil Sampling for Sites ST005 Area C, SS005, CG001, and CST011 (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
6/27/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved multiple data quality assessment reports for soil, soil vapor, groundwater, and sediment. Reports were submitted by Parsons and CH2M/Jacobs. Approval letter is dated 6/27/2024. Jamie McKellar
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

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details
Other A Land Use Control Agreement between the City of Galena and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation signed in 2009 is in affect. The Land Use Control Agreement does not allow disturbance of soil and does not allow water wells to be drilled at this site without ADEC approval.

Requirements

Description Details

There are no documents for this site report.

Hazard ID Site Name File Number
27830 Galena AFS BRAC Landfarm 860.38.076

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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