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Site Report: FAA Big Lake VORTAC Facility

Site Name: FAA Big Lake VORTAC Facility
Address: Unknown, Big Lake, AK 99652
File Number: 2202.38.001
Hazard ID: 2418
Status: Active
Staff: Sarah Durand, 9074655229 sarah.durand@alaska.gov
Latitude: 61.569458
Longitude: -149.967207
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

Last Updated: November 28, 2017 The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Big Lake Very high Frequency Omnidirectional Range Station/Tactical Air Navigation Station (VORTAC) Facility is located in southcentral Alaska, approximately 24 air miles (70 highway miles) north of Anchorage and 18 miles west of Wasilla. The facility is located on approximately 420 acres that FAA leases from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In June 1995, the FAA removed two regulated UST tanks, UST 22-A-1 (1000 gallon diesel tank), and 22-A-002 (500 gallon gasoline tank). Evidence of leakage was observed near the piping between UST 22-A-1 and Building 427. A Spill Report was filed with ADEC on June 7, 1995. During tank decommissioning, an attempt was made to remove all petroleum-contaminated soil associated with UST 22-A-1 piping. Because of the proximity of the spill to Building 427 and the risks associated with undermining the building foundation, only the upper 3 feet of soil was able to be removed. Laboratory analysis of the soil sample collected from the area of contamination reported: a BENZENE concentration of 0.66 mg/kg; a total BTEX concentration of 208.66 mg/kg; a GRO concentration of 2,500 mg/kg; and a DRO concentration of 5,600 mg/kg. The horizontal extent of soil contamination is estimated to be an area approximately 3 feet in diameter. The vertical extent of soil contamination is approximately 3 to 10.8 feet below ground surface, where groundwater has been encountered.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
6/19/1995 Site Added to Database Site added to database. Mike Krieber
6/19/1995 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Initiated - Petroleum Site was originally entered in both the LUST and CS data base, consolidating actions under one entry. Kim DeRuyter
6/19/1995 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAU - Remedial Actions Underway (General)). LUST corrective action underway. Mike Krieber
6/19/1995 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved The department approves thermal treatment of approximately 2.5 cubic yards of stockpiled contaminated soil. Kim DeRuyter
6/19/1995 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). The department approves thermal treatment of approximately 2.5 cubic yards of stockpiled contaminated soil. Mike Krieber
6/12/1998 Site Number Identifier Changed Change workplan from 00 to 01. Eileen Olson
6/12/1998 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Ranking score from Patrick-Riley spreadsheet. Eileen Olson
7/27/2006 Update or Other Action File number updated Kim DeRuyter
6/25/2008 Exposure Tracking Model On Hold The site was ranked as a LUST ETM entry on 1/19/07. Kim DeRuyter
11/25/2009 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 78561 USTs. Melody Debenham
8/21/2015 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 78561 USTs. Melody Debenham
10/27/2016 Update or Other Action Sent letter to FAA requesting additional site characterization. Melody Debenham
10/4/2017 Update or Other Action Requested a site update from FAA via email. Jamie McKellar
2/5/2018 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other WORK PLAN APPROVAL: Big Lake Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range (VOR) Final Remedial Investigation Work Plan, Revision 1. The purpose of this remedial investigation is to determine the vertical and horizontal extent of soil contamination, groundwater direction, whether groundwater has been impacted, and to evaluate the risk to human health and the environment. Jamie McKellar
6/1/2018 Update or Other Action On 5/31/2018, DEC received Transport forms from UIC Science, LLC. UIC indicated that the Big Lake VORTAC RI will be taking place next week. Two drums of petroleum-contaminated soil and one drum of petroleum-contaminated development & purge water will be transported. Transport forms were signed and returned to FAA on 6/1/2018. Jamie McKellar
4/9/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other REPORT APPROVAL: Final Big Lake VORTAC Release Investigation Report (Brice Environmental, April 2021) Jamie McKellar
5/19/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC provides comments on the report titled "DRAFT BIG LAKE VORTAC GROUNDWATER MONITORING WORK PLAN" dated May 2022. The work plan details the groundwater collection methods and analytical procedures to be used during the groundwater monitoring event at the Big Lake VORTAC facility in Big Lake, Alaska during the 2022 field season. Sarah Mutter
6/13/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC approves the "Final BIG LAKE VORTAC GROUNDWATER MONITORING BIG LAKE, ALASKA WORK PLAN" dated June, 2022. Sarah Mutter
10/3/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC provides comments on the report titled "Federal Aviation Administration Big Lake VORTAC Groundwater Monitoring Pre-Draft Report Big Lake, Alaska" dated August 2022. The report details the sampling effort at four groundwater monitoring wells to assess whether petroleum hydrocarbons concentrations remain in the shallow groundwater at the Big Lake VORTAC facility in Big Lake, Alaska. Sarah Mutter
10/31/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC approves the "Final BIG LAKE VORTAC GROUNDWATER MONITORING BIG LAKE, ALASKA Report" dated October, 2022. Results for all analytes, including naphthalene, reported concentrations less than ADEC’s groundwater cleanup levels. Another sampling event performed at a similar time is recommended to ensure contaminant concentrations are stable and remain less than ADEC’s groundwater cleanup levels. Sarah Mutter

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
DRO Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil DRO to 5,600 along building foundation contaminant reportedly reaches a depth of approximately 10 feet.

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No associated sites were found.

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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