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Site Report: NPS Kennecott Mine

Site Name: NPS Kennecott Mine
Address: Kennecott Mine, McCarthy, Chitina, AK 99566
File Number: 2235.38.001
Hazard ID: 2440
Status: Active
Staff: Brittani Mack, 9072628205 brittani.mack@alaska.gov
Latitude: 61.484650
Longitude: -142.887750
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

Milltown has widespread heavy metal contamination in tailings locations. Several areas of fuel contamination also exist from a former AST and its associated piping in the Milltown. Blasting caps from former mining activities also exist near the mill building. Bonanza, Erie, Glacier, and Jumbo Mines all have oil stained areas within structures. As of 2023, NPS is conducting a Phase II Remedial Investigation within the Milltown area of the former Kennecott Mine. From NPS Phase I Remedial Investigations in the Milltown the following metals are contaminants of potential concern (COPC): aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, vanadium, and zinc. Benzene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, chrysene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, naphthalene, and pyrene are COPCs in surface soil.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
6/15/1992 Preliminary Assessment Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = SA1R - Phase I SA Review (CS/LUST)). Done as a comprehensive SA for the area in 1992. Mike Krieber
3/23/1995 Site Added to Database Petroleum. Mike Krieber
3/23/1995 Update or Other Action Site updated. No further action needed until buildings are moved or dismantled. Mike Krieber
5/9/1996 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Ranked by Shannon and Wilson. S&W
10/17/1996 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Reviewed S&W ranking. Changed Toxicity Value from 1 to 2; Quantity Value from 2 to 1; Site Access Value from 2 to 1; Air Exposure Index Value from 0.2 to 0.1; Population Density Value from 3 to 0; GW Usage Value from 0.8 to 0.1; SW Environments from 2 to 0; and multiple sources from "Y" to "N". Mike Krieber
2/21/1997 Update or Other Action Received Kennicott Mine Pre-Acquisition Environmental Site Assessment Report. Letter sent to RP indicating that CS program staff will take over work on all CS projects, including the remaining items at the Kennicott Mine sites. Mike Krieber
6/17/1998 Update or Other Action Prospective Purchaser Agreement and Covenant Not to Sue between State of Alaska and USA. This allows the National Park Service to purchase the property recognizing the existing contamination at the site. A statement of work and schedule to address contamination issues is attached to the agreement. Jim Frechione
6/8/1999 Update or Other Action NPS submitted 1999 work plan that indicated they would be addressing lead paint issues. Jim Frechione
7/2/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed. Janice Wiegers
9/30/2014 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Potentially responsible party letter sent to the National Park Service. Melody Debenham
9/17/2015 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received update from NPS. Lead based paint and asbestos mitigation completed. Petroleum contamination cleanup at Power Plant completed in 2004/2010, including removal of Bunker C from piping in power plant building. Melody Debenham
6/26/2017 Meeting or Teleconference Held NPS officials from the Contaminated Sites Program in Denver and from the regional office in Anchorage traveled to Nabesna and Kennicott mines to develop a strategy for investigation and remediation of the mines. DEC participated in a preliminary meeting to share information on the each agency's contaminated sites program and broad vision for the future of the sites. Joy Whitsel
3/11/2019 Update or Other Action PA received from NPS. NPS is in the process of hiring a CERCLA PM. Gretchen Caudill
8/13/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC sent comments on the Draft Final Phase I RI SAP. Work was begun at the site before ADEC had the necessary time to review, comment, and correspond to approve the RI SAP. ADEC requires further characterization from what is detailed in the SAP, to be conducted at a later date. A detailed CSM needs to be completed to understand the data gaps to fill in future years. ADEC also requested several reports that had not been delivered to ADEC for review in years' past. Tim Sharp
6/9/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Provided comments on Draft Final Phase II ESA to the NPS. Michael Hooper
8/17/2022 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC met with NPS and representatives from Ahtna to discuss multiple site histories and potential paths forward for remediation and eventual closure with or without ICs. Tim Sharp
2/24/2023 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC met with NPS and representatives from Ahtna to discuss multiple site histories and potential paths forward for remediation and eventual closure with or without ICs. Arika Garcia
2/18/2025 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC met with NPS to discuss management of multiple contaminated sites. Topics of discussion include but are not limited to: Site histories, potential path(s) forward, remediation, future field work, and funding. Brittani Mack

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details

Requirements

Description Details

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