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Site Report: Willow Creek Mill Site

Site Name: Willow Creek Mill Site
Address: Mile 22.5 Hatcher Pass Road, Willow, AK 99688
File Number: 2268.26.005
Hazard ID: 23187
Status: Cleanup Complete - Institutional Controls
Staff: IC Unit, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 61.768100
Longitude: -149.395200
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

During the 1997 removal of 2 - 10,000 gallon diesel, 2 - 5,000 gallon diesel, and 1 - 2,000 gallon gasoline underground storage tanks, petroleum contamination was encountered in the soil (maximum initial concentrations of DRO 5,960 ppm, GRO 1,170 ppm, Total BTEX 196.18 ppm in excavation, and maximum concentrations in the stockpiles was DRO 5,440 ppm, and GRO 87.4 ppm. Approximately 280 cubic yards of contaminated soil was excavated and stockpiled). Groundwater assessment was not undertaken. Update 7-09: Maximum remaining concentrations in the five soils samples taken from the five former UST excavation pits, reported by Erdman and Associates in September 2000 were as follows: DRO was found in only one of the five samples at 215 mg/kg. RRO was found in three of the five samples up to 126 mg/kg. GRO, benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene were not detected in the UST excavation areas. The dispenser island sample found DRO at 826 mg/kg; GRO at 35.4 mg/kg; ethylbenzene at 0.177 mg/kg; and total xylenes at 0.523 mg/kg. Benzene and toluene were not detected in the dispenser area sample. The stockpiled soil was sampled in two locations with DRO up to 299 mg/kg; GRO up to 9.74 mg/kg; total xylenes at 0.3252 mg/kg; and RRO up to 72.6 mg/kg. Benzene, toluene and ethylbenzene were not detected in the stockpile samples. No groundwater was encountered during this sampling event. In the September 2004 AlaskChem Engineering report titled "Fuel Contaminated Soil Stockpile Sampling and Closure Recommendation" the results were non-detect for GRO and BTEX. DRO ranged from non-detect to 97.6 mg/kg in the five stockpile soil samples. RRO was not analyzed in 2004 because the 2000 results were well below the cleanup levels. The stockpiled soil was estimated to be approximately 500 cubic yards in 2004. No groundwater was encountered.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
8/1/1997 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Release Confirmed - Petroleum LUST Site created in CSP for source area ID 77851 (Added by System) David Allen
8/1/1997 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Initiated - Petroleum Former Staff
8/1/1997 Site Added to Database Former Staff
10/1/1997 Underground Storage Tank Site Characterization or Assessment Excess of 200 cy of soils stockpiled at site, widespread contamination remains in all 5 tank excavations. GW at 18 to 28 feet. Robert Weimer
3/17/1999 Update or Other Action DEC letter requesting RI (WP due 4/30/99), and meeting to discuss CA at this site. Robert Weimer
8/1/2002 Update or Other Action Site transferred from Weimer to Dreyer Amanda Dreyer
8/14/2002 Update or Other Action Spoke with Michael Erdman 376-6989 he said he would mail sampling results. Amanda Dreyer
8/16/2004 Update or Other Action Left message for Scott Eubanks about current site conditions and upcoming work required to meet regulations. Lynne Bush
9/21/2004 Update or Other Action Met with Frechione to discuss this site and future Department expectations. Lynne Bush
5/9/2006 Update or Other Action Project management transferred from Bush to Horwath. Aggie Blandford
5/9/2006 Update or Other Action File number issued 2268.26.005 (FKA L55.326). Aggie Blandford
5/30/2006 Update or Other Action Project manager changed from Paul Horwath to Don Fritz, per Paul Horwath. Alyce Hughey
5/30/2006 Update or Other Action Using Figure 1 from an Underground Storage Tank Closure Assessment, Willow Creek Mine, from Shannon & Wilson, dated October 1997, in conjunction with TopoZone Pro, entered the coordinates for this site. Metadata includes USGS Topo Maps 1:63K, TopoZone Pro Street Maps, on a Medium Size map, View Scale 1:50,000, Coordinate Datum NAD83. Moderate to high degree of confidence in accuracy of location. Alyce Hughey
6/2/2006 Update or Other Action Phone call with Scott Eubanks who confirmed that Alaska Hardrock Inc. owned the property due to a land swap with DNR. Scott told me that he had an engineering firm out there two or three years ago, and that the stockpiled soils tested clean. Scott said that a report had been submitted to “Amanda”. Scott told me that he had put approx. $100,000 into cleanup actions so far. Scott told me that the mill had been sold 2 years ago, and had been torn down and hauled off site. The bunkhouse has been converted to a bed and breakfast while mining operations were slow, but the site is now leased out. Scott stated that no milling has occurred since 1991. Scott told me that he would provide me with the information available. Don Fritz
7/28/2006 Update or Other Action Reviewed report regarding sampling of stockpile of contaminated soil. Work was conducted by Alaska Chem Engineering (Ralph Hubert). This report identified another missing report that was preparred by Erdman and Associates. Left a message with Scott Eubanks. Don Fritz
5/11/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Site Ranked Don Fritz
5/11/2007 Update or Other Action Letter sent to the RP requesting additional information/release investigation plan Don Fritz
5/29/2009 Update or Other Action File transferred to Anchorage from Soldotna 6-1-09. Project Manager changed from Don Fritz to Linda Nuechterlein. Alyce Hughey
6/26/2009 Update or Other Action Spoke with William Scott Eubanks, owner of Alaska Hardrock Inc. He will send in the 2000 Erdman report that is missing in the file. He will also send in the groundwater monitoring reports. Mr. Eubanks explained that ADEC had suggested using a nitrogen based fertilizer in the excavation pits and the stockpiles as a way to expedite natural attenuation. Pam Clemens
6/26/2009 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed the 2004 report from AlaskChem Engineering titled: Fuel Contaminated Soil Stockpile Sampling and Closure Recommendation (received in the Kenai Office June 2006). The testing of the stockpiles showed non-detect for GRO and BTEX. DRO ranged from non-detect to 97.6 mg/kg in the five stockpile soil samples taken in September 2004. Mr. Eubanks said that they landspread the stockpiles after the results came in. The AlaskChem report estimates the stockpiles to be almost 500 cubic yards. Pam Clemens
7/3/2009 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed Erdman & Associates report dated September 11, 2000 which was received via email 6-29-09. Six soil samples were collected from the areas identified as having the highest contaminant levels in the UST Closure Assessment by Shannon & Wilson dated October 1997. DRO levels were significantly reduced in all areas with the highest remaining level at 826 mg/kg near the location of the former UST #4. Further excavation is not practical due to the proximity of the shop building. The highest level of GRO was 35.4 mg/kg, this sample was also taken from the location of the former UST #4. Benzene and toluene were not detected in the six samples. Ethylbenzene and xylene were detected at 0.177 mg/kg and 0.262 mg/kg respectively which are well below cleanup levels. RRO had not been analyzed until the Erdman report in 2000, it was found in concentrations up to 126 mg/kg, which is well below the cleanup level. Two samples were collected from the stockpiled soil, in 2000, these samples showed that DRO was up to 299 mg/kg; GRO was up to 9.74 mg/kg; benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene were not detected; and xylene was detected in only one sample at 0.242 mg/kg. Pam Clemens
7/10/2009 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Attempted contact with Mr. Eubanks to let him know someone was going out to Hatcher's Pass area, no contact made. Todd Blessing went by the site and took pictures to try to determine the status of the stockpile. Photos are under the attachments tab. All photos were taken from the road. Reviewed the Underground Storage Tank Closure Assessment, Willow Creek Mine, from Shannon & Wilson, dated October 1997. Briefly reviewed the Erdman 2000, and the AlaskChem 2004 reports. Spoke with the UST program about the tanks 1-5 closure in 1997 and the status of tank 6. There is also information about two other tanks (tanks 7 & 8) owned by Mr. Eubanks or Alaska Hardrock Inc. The UST program will follow up on tanks 6, 7, and 8. Pam Clemens
7/10/2009 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 77851 Willow Creek Mill Site. Pam Clemens
7/24/2009 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued ROD - Corrective Action Complete Determination-Institutional Controls approved 7-23-09, see attachments. Pam Clemens
7/24/2009 Institutional Control Record Established Institutional Controls established and entered into the database. Pam Clemens
10/5/2009 Update or Other Action Filed a letter from the UST program: No Further Action Required, Underground Storage Tanks, ADEC Facility #2743 for Tanks 7 & 8. These two tanks are not regulated and do not require a certified UST worker to decommission them. Tank #6 is still in place and regulated by the UST program. Pam Clemens
7/21/2010 Update or Other Action Sent email requesting that the Institutional Controls (IC) Agreement Page be signed and returned. Pam Clemens
7/26/2010 Update or Other Action Received the signed IC Agreement Page. I will attach it here. Pam Clemens
2/16/2012 Update or Other Action Staff changed from Pam Clemens to IC Unit. Kristin Thompson
5/1/2013 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC compliance review conducted and reminder system set up for 2014 follow up regarding site conditions. Evonne Reese
8/15/2014 Institutional Control Update An IC reminder letter was issued to the responsible party on this date. Kristin Thompson
12/10/2019 Institutional Control Compliance Review An Institutional Controls reminder letter mailed to the landowner on this date. Mossy Mead
1/13/2020 Institutional Control Compliance Review The landowner/responsible party called to update the affiliate information on this date. Mossy Mead
9/24/2024 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC compliance review completed on this date. An IC reminder letter was issued to the landowner. The next review will be in five years’ time. Gaige Robinson

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
DRO Other Soil The remaining DRO contaminaiton is too close to the shop building for any further excavation.

Control Type

Type Details
Signed CS Determination

Requirements

Description Details
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.
Other Alaska Hardrock or Mr. William Scott Eubanks must report to ADEC every five years to document land use, or report immediately if there is a change in land ownership and/or use.

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

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State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

P.O. Box 111800
Juneau, AK 99811-1800
Phone: 907-465-5066
Fax: 907-465-5245
TDD: 800-770-8973
Physical Location: 410 Willoughby