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Site Report: High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP)

Site Name: High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP)
Address: Milepost 11.3 Tok Cut-off; 26 miles NE of Glennallen, Gakona, AK 99586
File Number: 250.38.001
Hazard ID: 2348
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 62.391177
Longitude: -145.131447
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

On December 7, 1994, a spill was noticed at the High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) site located near the village of Gakona approximately 26 miles NE of Glennallen. A spill was discovered after two diesel generators were removed from the HAARP site. Discoloration was noted on the gravel floor inside the shed and on the gravel outside. An estimated 3 cubic yards of soil has been contaminated by the presumed release of diesel fuel.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
7/2/2002 Site Added to Database Site involves approximately 3 cubic yards of contaminated soil. Deborah Williams
7/2/2002 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Preliminary ranking. Water trucked in. Deborah Williams
4/17/2006 GIS Position Updated Using Figure 1 from a Clean-up Plan for Spill Report 94-2-4-1-341-1 at the High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program Site, Gakona, from Metcalf & Eddy, Inc., dated July 1995, in conjunction with TopoZone Pro, entered the coordinates for this site. Metadata includes USGS Topo Maps 1:240K Series, on a Medium Size Map, View Scale 1:500,000, Doordinate Datum NAD83. Moderate degree of confidence in accuracy of location. Alyce Hughey
4/17/2006 Update or Other Action Project manager changed from Rich Sundet to Don Fritz per Paul Horwath. Alyce Hughey
4/18/2006 Update or Other Action New staff undertook a file review for the High Frequency Action Auroral Research Program (HAARP) site and made contact with the current HAARP program manager, and with the former contractor providing oversight of the cleanup actions. Additional information regarding project activities since 1995 have been requested. Don Fritz
5/30/2006 Site Closure Approved Contaminated sites staff issued a closure letter for the United States Air Force High Frequency Active Auroral Research site spill in Gakona, AK. The release was reported on December 7, 1994, when two diesel generators were removed and stained soils were encountered. Less than 3 cubic yards of contaminated soil was excavated at the spill site and the contaminated soils were placed into a bioremediation cell where the soils were periodically aerated for a period of approximately 4 years. Once field screening depicted that the soil contaminant concentrations had returned to background levels, the soils were landspread on the gravel pad over a couple of hundred square feet Don Fritz
5/22/2008 Exposure Tracking Model On Hold Site Closed. Don Fritz
11/10/2014 Update or Other Action On May 29, 2014 DEC received a spill notification report the diesel range organics (DRO) had been found in soil at 580 mg/kg, which exceeds the method 2 migration to groundwater cleanup level (250 mg/kg DRO). The contaminated soil was identified and reported as part of a Baseline Environmental Survey. Based on review of the report, the site file, and information on the hydrogeology in the area, DEC issued a response letter on November 10 with a determination that no additional site characterization or cleanup are necessary because the migration to groundwater pathway is incomplete (the site is underlain by ~450' of permafrost, groundwater below the permafrost is non-potable due to high concentrations of inorganics, migration to surface water is not a concern, and the contaminant levels are below the applicable cleanup level (10,250 mg/kg DRO). This determination may be revised and additional investigation or cleanup may be required if new information becomes available that indicates higher levels of contamination or other contaminants of concern are present and may pose an unacceptable risk. John Halverson
1/29/2015 Update or Other Action DEC received and filed a Memorandum for Record from the Air Force updating the Environmental Baseline Survey (EBS) by documenting regulatory closure of the "category 2 area" where DRO had been found at a low concentration (580 mg/kg) that was above the method 2 migration to groundwater cleanup level. As noted in the November 12, 2014 DEC letter, the migration to groundwater cleanup levels were determined to not apply at the site due to permafrost. John Halverson

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
For more information about this site, contact DEC at (907) 465-5390.

Control Type

Type Details
No ICs Required

Requirements

Description Details
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

Because the GIS location data for this site has not been entered, we cannot direct you to its position on the map. Click "Continue" to proceed to the Contaminated Sites Web Map or "Close" to return to the site report.
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