Site Report: FAA McGrath FSS, Former Bldg. 400

Site Name:	FAA McGrath FSS, Former Bldg. 400
Address:	Airport, E. of N-S Runway, North End of BLM Road, McGrath, AK 99627
File Number:	2612.38.001
Hazard ID:	2125
Status:	Active
Staff:	Sophia Bracio, 9074511682 sophia.bracio@alaska.gov
Latitude:	62.955581
Longitude:	-155.602746
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.

Site Chronology
IC / Closure Details
Documents
Associated Sites

Problems/Comments

Updated 3/8/2018: The Building 400 site encompasses at least three AOCs: the former FSS Building 400, the former FSS Building 400 fuel pipeline releases, and the former biocell area. Building 400 was located on the east side of the runway among several shops. It was located approximately 170 feet southwest of the southern end of the westernmost row of living quarters houses, and approximately 50 feet north of the Weather Service Bureau (WSB) radiosonde. Based on the results for analytical soil samples collected during the 2011 RI, DRO, benzene, naphthalene, 1-methylnaphthalene, and 2-methylnaphthalene are the primary contaminants of concern at this AOC. The length of the contaminant source is conservatively estimated to be approximately 170 feet and contamination is present from approximately 0 to 24 feet below ground surface (bgs). Fuel Pipeline Releases: Two configurations of pipelines supplied fuel to the ASTs at Former FSS Building 400. In a low altitude aerial photograph from 1966 the aboveground fuel pipeline can be seen originating at the AST in the Tank Farm and running west across the field towards the back of the FSS Building 400. About 30 feet away from the FSS Building 400, the pipe turns south to reach the southern side of the east wing of the FSS and then runs west again to the two ASTs on the southern side of the east wing of the FSS. Based on the results for analytical soil samples collected during the 2011 RI, DRO, GRO, benzene, naphthalene, 1-methylnaphthalene, and 2-methylnaphthalene are the primary contaminants of concern at this AOC. The length of the contaminant source is estimated to be approximately 400 feet and contamination was present from approximately 0 to 20 feet bgs. A Biocell was developed in the mid-1990s to treat petroleum-contaminated soil from FAA sites. When the Biocell was developed, contamination was found prior to construction. The area was located northeast of the former FSS Building 400. Based on the results for analytical soil samples collected during the 2011 RI, DRO, 1-methylnaphthalene, and 2-methylnaphthalene are the primary contaminants of concern at this AOC. The length of the contaminant source area is estimated to be approximately 90 feet and contamination was present from approximately 6 to 24 feet bgs. Due to the depth of contamination observed at this AOC, it appears that the contamination is not from the Former Biocell. The source of contamination is likely the former fuel supply pipeline that was located approximately east of the Former Biocell Area. The former fuel supply pipeline in this area ran north-south and fed into former quarters Building 107 and continued north to other buildings located in the former quarters area. The distribution of contamination on the water table is consistent with the contamination observed at the Former FSS Building 400 Fuel Pipeline Releases AOC.

Action Information

Action Date	Action	Description	DEC Staff
7/10/2003	Site Added to Database	DRO and GRO soil and groundwater contamination.	Deborah Williams
7/10/2003	Site Ranked Using the AHRM	Preliminary ranking.	Deborah Williams
7/14/2003	Update or Other Action	ADEC approved a workplan with the following scope of work: Decommissioning of monitoring wells from prior remedial investigations, MW-7 at the RCAG and MW-11 at the NDB. Site investigation to determine the extent of contamination discovered at the former treatment cell location. Monitoring and evaluation of the active Hobby Shop SVE system. Monitoring and evaluation of the active SVE system at Building 305/604. Subsurface soil sampling at the former Power House. Implementation of long-term groundwater monitoring at the former tank farm. Investigate petroleum contamination on the private property at the former tank farm. Evaluation of natural attenuation along former pipeline and at the former FSS. Survey the monitoring wells in the quarters and tank farm area and prepare a groundwater contour map. Removal of abandoned pipeline and relase investigation.	Deborah Williams
6/9/2005	Meeting or Teleconference Held	ADEC received a Site Investigation and Remedial Evaluation Report. The report includes recommendations based upon outputs of Geosphere's 4-phase model and recommends no further remedial action at several sites where contaminant concentrations exceed the maximum allowable limit of 12,500 mg/kg DRO. The 4-phase model has not yet been verified for accuracy. ADEC discussed this with the FAA and will recommend that siol above the maximum allowable concentration be removed during airport upgrades tentatively scheduled for summer 2006.	Sharon Richmond
7/28/2005	Site Characterization Report Approved	Contaminated Sites (CS) staff reviewed and provided comments to the Federal Aviation Administration's Site Investigation and Remedial Evaluation Report at the McGrath Airport. Numerous areas contaminated with petroleum were addressed during this investigation. Several air sparge/soil vapor extraction systems have been operating but recovery of fuel has diminished because volatile fuel components have been mostly removed; these systems will be shut down and decommissioned. Other areas still have residual diesel contamination but, in general, concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes are below cleanup levels in soil and groundwater. Contamination that has migrated off-site will be excavated and managed as part of remedial efforts at the former tank farm area. CS staff recommended that all soil with contamination above the maximum allowable concentration be excavated and that a treatment strategy be developed. A resident of McGrath contacted the Department regarding off-site contamination.The individual was provided with a copy of the report and the comment letter.	Sharon Richmond
1/26/2006	Update or Other Action	All work performed for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires completion and approval of a Project Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health Worksheet (EOSH Worksheet). The EOSH Worksheet is a tool that allows project managers to identify potential hazards and contamination, take appropriate measures to avoid hazards and manage contamination appropriately, to minimize environmental impacts, determine whether environmental assessment is required prior to beginning work, and to minimize fines and/or penalties associated with non-compliance with federal and state regulations. It also acts a mechanism to identify when outside agency permits are necessary. Specific portions of the EOSH Worksheet address: the presence/absence of endangered species, activities conducted in wetlands or anadromous streams, whether work will occur on a contaminated site or involve activities associated with fuel tanks, fuel distribution lines, oil-containing transformers, groundwater monitoring wells, floor drains, and generation and handling of hazardous waste. To ensure all issues are appropriately considered, the worksheet is to be reviewed after each phase of project development and implemenation. This form is to be kept with project progress documents throughout the project.	Sharon Richmond
1/8/2010	Exposure Tracking Model Ranking	Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 73103 name: AST at original FSS (building 400)	Melody Debenham
8/2/2011	Site Characterization Workplan Approved	Approved the Final Work Plan, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Release Investigation, FAA Station, McGrath, Alaska, describing investigation activities at 14 areas of concern at the FAA McGrath Station. An Ultra-Violet Optical Screening Tool (UVOST)/laser-induces fluorescence (LIF) probe will be used as a screening tool to investigate the horizontal and vertical extent of petroleum contamination. Locations of soil borings and groundwater monitoring wells will be determined based on site conditions and the UVOST/LIF screening results.	Melody Debenham
5/16/2014	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Approved final 2013 groundwater monitoring report at 8 areas of concern. Results show diesel range organics above the cleanup level in the groundwater at the Former Flight Service Station Building 400.	Melody Debenham
2/23/2015	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Approved final 2013 release investigation at 11 areas of concern. Sample results at the Former Flight Service Station Building 400 ASTs and Fuel Pipeline Releases sites shows contaminated soil and groundwater remain at this site.	Melody Debenham
12/9/2016	Update or Other Action	Teleconference with FAA project manager to discuss future actions at FAA McGrath sites.	Melody Debenham
4/19/2017	Update or Other Action	Letter sent to FAA advising that no response is required for the Department's December 2016 correspondence. Since multiple AOCs were evaluated using the HRC, ADEC will not be able to use the July 2016 report as a basis for decision making. ADEC will re-evaluate FAA McGrath AOCs that appear ready for closure. Some sites may be eligible for cleanup based on a cumulative risk evaluation. Other sites require additional investigation and/or remediation by FAA.	Jamie McKellar
3/8/2018	Exposure Tracking Model Ranking	A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 73103 AST at original FSS (building 400).	Jamie McKellar
11/10/2020	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	REPORT APPROVAL: Final Release Investigation Report for McGrath FAA Station and the Soil Data Quality Evaluation Supplement for the Release Investigation Report (Brice Environmental, September 2020)	Jamie McKellar
4/23/2021	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	WORK PLAN APPROVAL: Final FAA McGrath Remedial Action Work Plan (Brice Engineering, March 2021)	Jamie McKellar
3/16/2022	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	ADEC provides comments on the report titled "DRAFT McGrath FAA Station Remedial Action Report" dated February 2022. The report describes remedial actions, debris removal, and site investigation activities at the Flight Service Station Building 400 Transclosure and debris removal and site investigation at the Debris Area Adjacent Former FSS Building 400 and Former Building 107 at the McGrath Federal Aviation Administration Station. PCB-contaminated soil was successfully excavated from the site to concentrations less than 1 mg/kg at Flight Service Station Building 400. DRO and 4,4’-DDD were identified at concentrations exceeding screening levels in the surface soil at the Debris Adjacent Area.	Sarah Mutter
5/5/2022	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	ADEC approves the "Final McGrath FAA Station Remedial Action Report, McGrath Alaska" dated April, 2022.	Sarah Mutter
8/10/2022	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Review and provide comments on DRAFT McGrath FAA Station Release Investigation, Groundwater Monitoring, and Risk Calculation Work Plan, dated July 2022, which was received on July 13, 2022. This work plan describes the methods that will be used to conduct a release investigation, groundwater monitoring, and risk calculation at the Federal Aviation Administration Station in McGrath, Alaska. The areas of concern investigated include the Former Building 405 Underground Storage Tank 16-D-1, the Flight Service Station (FSS) Pipeline, the FSS Building 400 Aboveground Storage Tanks, the Old Pipeline, and the Drum Storage and Pesticide Sprayer.	Sarah Mutter
9/9/2022	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	DEC approves the Final McGrath FAA Station Release Investigation, Groundwater Monitoring, and Risk Calculation Work Plan	Sarah Mutter
6/6/2023	Site Characterization Report Approved	REPORT APPROVED: Final McGrath FAA Station Release Investigation, Groundwater Monitoring, and Risk Calculation Report, McGrath, Alaska (Brice Solutions, LLC, June 2023)	Ross Renick
6/25/2024	Exposure Tracking Model Ranking	Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 81411 name: PCB Transformer	Sophia Bracio
7/25/2024	Meeting or Teleconference Held	On 7/23/2024, DEC met with FAA and their contractor regarding planned soil sampling at FAA McGrath. FAA's contractor is mobilizing to McGrath in fall 2024 to collect soil and groundwater samples. The intent of the mobilization is to evaluate FAA's sites for the presence/absence of PFAS in future excavation areas that are currently slated for remediation via landfarming.	Jamie McKellar
10/7/2024	Site Characterization Workplan Approved	WORK PLAN APPROVAL: Final Work Plan McGrath FAA Station PFAS Investigation (Brice, October 2024).	Sophia Bracio

Action Date

Action

Description

DEC Staff

7/10/2003

Site Added to Database

DRO and GRO soil and groundwater contamination.

Deborah Williams

7/10/2003

Site Ranked Using the AHRM

Preliminary ranking.

Deborah Williams

7/14/2003

Update or Other Action

ADEC approved a workplan with the following scope of work: Decommissioning of monitoring wells from prior remedial investigations, MW-7 at the RCAG and MW-11 at the NDB. Site investigation to determine the extent of contamination discovered at the former treatment cell location. Monitoring and evaluation of the active Hobby Shop SVE system. Monitoring and evaluation of the active SVE system at Building 305/604. Subsurface soil sampling at the former Power House. Implementation of long-term groundwater monitoring at the former tank farm. Investigate petroleum contamination on the private property at the former tank farm. Evaluation of natural attenuation along former pipeline and at the former FSS. Survey the monitoring wells in the quarters and tank farm area and prepare a groundwater contour map. Removal of abandoned pipeline and relase investigation.

Deborah Williams

6/9/2005

Meeting or Teleconference Held

ADEC received a Site Investigation and Remedial Evaluation Report. The report includes recommendations based upon outputs of Geosphere's 4-phase model and recommends no further remedial action at several sites where contaminant concentrations exceed the maximum allowable limit of 12,500 mg/kg DRO. The 4-phase model has not yet been verified for accuracy. ADEC discussed this with the FAA and will recommend that siol above the maximum allowable concentration be removed during airport upgrades tentatively scheduled for summer 2006.

Sharon Richmond

7/28/2005

Site Characterization Report Approved

Contaminated Sites (CS) staff reviewed and provided comments to the Federal Aviation Administration's Site Investigation and Remedial Evaluation Report at the McGrath Airport. Numerous areas contaminated with petroleum were addressed during this investigation. Several air sparge/soil vapor extraction systems have been operating but recovery of fuel has diminished because volatile fuel components have been mostly removed; these systems will be shut down and decommissioned. Other areas still have residual diesel contamination but, in general, concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes are below cleanup levels in soil and groundwater. Contamination that has migrated off-site will be excavated and managed as part of remedial efforts at the former tank farm area. CS staff recommended that all soil with contamination above the maximum allowable concentration be excavated and that a treatment strategy be developed. A resident of McGrath contacted the Department regarding off-site contamination.The individual was provided with a copy of the report and the comment letter.

Sharon Richmond

1/26/2006

Update or Other Action

All work performed for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires completion and approval of a Project Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health Worksheet (EOSH Worksheet). The EOSH Worksheet is a tool that allows project managers to identify potential hazards and contamination, take appropriate measures to avoid hazards and manage contamination appropriately, to minimize environmental impacts, determine whether environmental assessment is required prior to beginning work, and to minimize fines and/or penalties associated with non-compliance with federal and state regulations. It also acts a mechanism to identify when outside agency permits are necessary. Specific portions of the EOSH Worksheet address: the presence/absence of endangered species, activities conducted in wetlands or anadromous streams, whether work will occur on a contaminated site or involve activities associated with fuel tanks, fuel distribution lines, oil-containing transformers, groundwater monitoring wells, floor drains, and generation and handling of hazardous waste. To ensure all issues are appropriately considered, the worksheet is to be reviewed after each phase of project development and implemenation. This form is to be kept with project progress documents throughout the project.

Sharon Richmond

1/8/2010

Exposure Tracking Model Ranking

Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 73103 name: AST at original FSS (building 400)

Melody Debenham

8/2/2011

Site Characterization Workplan Approved

Approved the Final Work Plan, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Release Investigation, FAA Station, McGrath, Alaska, describing investigation activities at 14 areas of concern at the FAA McGrath Station. An Ultra-Violet Optical Screening Tool (UVOST)/laser-induces fluorescence (LIF) probe will be used as a screening tool to investigate the horizontal and vertical extent of petroleum contamination. Locations of soil borings and groundwater monitoring wells will be determined based on site conditions and the UVOST/LIF screening results.

Melody Debenham

5/16/2014

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Approved final 2013 groundwater monitoring report at 8 areas of concern. Results show diesel range organics above the cleanup level in the groundwater at the Former Flight Service Station Building 400.

Melody Debenham

2/23/2015

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Approved final 2013 release investigation at 11 areas of concern. Sample results at the Former Flight Service Station Building 400 ASTs and Fuel Pipeline Releases sites shows contaminated soil and groundwater remain at this site.

Melody Debenham

12/9/2016

Update or Other Action

Teleconference with FAA project manager to discuss future actions at FAA McGrath sites.

Melody Debenham

4/19/2017

Update or Other Action

Letter sent to FAA advising that no response is required for the Department's December 2016 correspondence. Since multiple AOCs were evaluated using the HRC, ADEC will not be able to use the July 2016 report as a basis for decision making. ADEC will re-evaluate FAA McGrath AOCs that appear ready for closure. Some sites may be eligible for cleanup based on a cumulative risk evaluation. Other sites require additional investigation and/or remediation by FAA.

Jamie McKellar

3/8/2018

Exposure Tracking Model Ranking

A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 73103 AST at original FSS (building 400).

Jamie McKellar

11/10/2020

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

REPORT APPROVAL: Final Release Investigation Report for McGrath FAA Station and the Soil Data Quality Evaluation Supplement for the Release Investigation Report (Brice Environmental, September 2020)

Jamie McKellar

4/23/2021

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

WORK PLAN APPROVAL: Final FAA McGrath Remedial Action Work Plan (Brice Engineering, March 2021)

Jamie McKellar

3/16/2022

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

ADEC provides comments on the report titled "DRAFT McGrath FAA Station Remedial Action Report" dated February 2022. The report describes remedial actions, debris removal, and site investigation activities at the Flight Service Station Building 400 Transclosure and debris removal and site investigation at the Debris Area Adjacent Former FSS Building 400 and Former Building 107 at the McGrath Federal Aviation Administration Station. PCB-contaminated soil was successfully excavated from the site to concentrations less than 1 mg/kg at Flight Service Station Building 400. DRO and 4,4’-DDD were identified at concentrations exceeding screening levels in the surface soil at the Debris Adjacent Area.

Sarah Mutter

5/5/2022

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

ADEC approves the "Final McGrath FAA Station Remedial Action Report, McGrath Alaska" dated April, 2022.

Sarah Mutter

8/10/2022

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Review and provide comments on DRAFT McGrath FAA Station Release Investigation, Groundwater Monitoring, and Risk Calculation Work Plan, dated July 2022, which was received on July 13, 2022. This work plan describes the methods that will be used to conduct a release investigation, groundwater monitoring, and risk calculation at the Federal Aviation Administration Station in McGrath, Alaska. The areas of concern investigated include the Former Building 405 Underground Storage Tank 16-D-1, the Flight Service Station (FSS) Pipeline, the FSS Building 400 Aboveground Storage Tanks, the Old Pipeline, and the Drum Storage and Pesticide Sprayer.

Sarah Mutter

9/9/2022

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

DEC approves the Final McGrath FAA Station Release Investigation, Groundwater Monitoring, and Risk Calculation Work Plan

Sarah Mutter

6/6/2023

Site Characterization Report Approved

REPORT APPROVED: Final McGrath FAA Station Release Investigation, Groundwater Monitoring, and Risk Calculation Report, McGrath, Alaska (Brice Solutions, LLC, June 2023)

Ross Renick

6/25/2024

Exposure Tracking Model Ranking

Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 81411 name: PCB Transformer

Sophia Bracio

7/25/2024

Meeting or Teleconference Held

On 7/23/2024, DEC met with FAA and their contractor regarding planned soil sampling at FAA McGrath. FAA's contractor is mobilizing to McGrath in fall 2024 to collect soil and groundwater samples. The intent of the mobilization is to evaluate FAA's sites for the presence/absence of PFAS in future excavation areas that are currently slated for remediation via landfarming.

Jamie McKellar

10/7/2024

Site Characterization Workplan Approved

WORK PLAN APPROVAL: Final Work Plan McGrath FAA Station PFAS Investigation (Brice, October 2024).

Sophia Bracio

Contaminant Information

Name

Level Description

Media

Comments

Control Type

Type

Details

Requirements

Description

Details

Final McGrath FAA Station Release Investigation, Groundwater Monitoring, and Risk Calculation Report, McGrath, Alaska (Brice, June 2023)

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

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Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

Site Report: FAA McGrath FSS, Former Bldg. 400

Site Chronology

IC / Closure Details

Documents

Associated Sites

Problems/Comments

Action Information

Contaminant Information

Control Type

Requirements

Final McGrath FAA Station Release Investigation, Groundwater Monitoring, and Risk Calculation Report, McGrath, Alaska (Brice, June 2023)

Missing Location Data

State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation