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Site Report: Fire Lake Flying Club

Site Name: Fire Lake Flying Club
Address: 14111 West Lake Ridge Drive, Eagle River, AK 99577
File Number: 2107.26.010
Hazard ID: 24733
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 61.348228
Longitude: -149.549089
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

In May 1995, during the removal of a 3,000 gallon gasoline fuel tank and associated piping, contamination was found along the piping and at the fuel dispensers near an active drinking water well at Fire Lake. The shallow groundwater was also found to be contaminated. On October 5, 1997 a 3,000 gallon aviation fuel tank was removed at the site. A replacement tank and piping were installed in 1998 and continue to be in operation. Four soil/groundwater areas were sampled in 2004 and were found to be contaminated, with the location (loc-04) just to the south of the on property drinking water well showing the highest levels of soil and groundwater contamination. In June 2006, 68 tons of contaminated soil was excavated (to the north of the drinking water well) and thermally treated. Also in June 2006 three groundwater monitoring points were installed and sampled. On June 1, 2007 the State of Alaska assumed the lead on the cleanup and monitoring of the site because the responsible party was unwilling to conduct the necessary and timely cleanup of the site. In July 2007, 651 tons of contaminated soil and 23,000 gallons of contaminated groundwater was removed and treated, which resulted in greatly reducing the risk to human health and the environment at this site. The drinking water well has been sampled and does not have detectable levels of petroleum contamination. In May/June 2011 confirmation soil samples were collected and the groundwater and drinking water well were sampled. All soil and groundwater now meet cleanup levels, recommend site for closure.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
7/1/1995 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Release Confirmed - Petroleum LUST Site created in CSP for source area ID 77847 Verbal report of release from consultant. Former Staff
7/1/1995 Site Added to Database Former Staff
1/15/1998 Underground Storage Tank Site Characterization or Assessment Copy of Site Assessment report not submitted until approximately 2.5 yrs after the fact, Mike Mooney of FAP gave me a copy of the Site Assessment. Site assessment sampling identified soil contamination (including visually stained soils with fuel odors) over site cleanup levels at two locations along the piping run and at the dispenser near Fire Lake. Up to 3740 mg/kg GRO and 69.7 mg/kg benzene remain in the site soils near the shallow groundwater. Contamination has been identified within 10 feet of Fire Lake. The full extent of the soil and groundwater contamination has not been determined. Former Staff
1/15/1998 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Initiated - Petroleum entered by JC Former Staff
8/18/1998 Update or Other Action Learned yesterday that RP (Gary Droubay) sold site. Current status unknown. Sent letter requesting immediate RI/CAP Former Staff
6/19/2001 Update or Other Action Letter requesting status and action by no later than July 31, 2001. Lynne Bush
7/31/2001 Update or Other Action Reply overdue Lynne Bush
12/18/2001 Update or Other Action Letter: Second request for site status/ finalized corrective action and release investigation plan Robert Weimer
6/17/2002 Update or Other Action Site transferred from Bush to Amanda Dreyer Lynne Bush
6/18/2002 Update or Other Action Letter: Third request for site status/ finalized corrective action and release investigation plan Amanda Dreyer
8/27/2002 Update or Other Action Talked with Gary Droubay today, he will be gone for a 2 week business trip and will look into the reports when he gets back. Amanda Dreyer
8/4/2003 Update or Other Action Letter: Final request for site status/ finalized corrective action and release investigation plan Robert Weimer
9/10/2003 Update or Other Action Sundet and Dreyer met with Chris Hudson the current property owner to discuss the contaminated site and property ownership. Rich Sundet
6/17/2004 Update or Other Action Meeting w/ Droubay & his consultant MFA. Eric Henry
7/12/2004 Update or Other Action Work plan submitted, reviewed, and conditionally approved. The work plan calls for installing three well points to collect groundwater samples and three soil samples at the soil/water interface. Eric Henry
7/26/2004 Update or Other Action AG's office (C. Kennedy) sends out a letter informing Droubay that once cost recovery is satisfied the AG's office can withdraw from the case. Eric Henry
8/13/2004 Release Investigation Four soil/groundwater sampling points were installed on 8/7/04. A fourth sampling point was dug/installed at the request of DEC personnel at the site. Eric Henry
9/30/2004 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Site investigation report submitted. The soils had up to 390 mg/kg DRO, 5,800 mg/kg GRO, <15.0 mg/kg Benzene, 2,100 mg/kg Toluene, 64 mg/kg Ethylbenzene, and 330 mg/kg Xylenes in the 8/9/04 sampling. The groundwater at loc-04 had 5.0 mg/l DRO, 78.0 mg/l GRO, 760 ug/l benzene, and 0.48 mg/l lead on 8/9/04. Eric Henry
10/12/2004 Update or Other Action DOL sent letter to Droubay encouraging him to pay the $2635 balance to DEC and that inaction would result in litigation. Eric Henry
2/22/2005 Update or Other Action Partial payment of cost recovery bill. $500. The bill was $1037.79. Eric Henry
5/2/2005 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Corrective Action Underway Workplan to excavate contamination source and install three well points approved. Consultant estimated about 60 tons of contaminated material to be thermally treated. Eric Henry
10/4/2005 Update or Other Action Project manager changed from Eric Henry to Robert Weimer. Sarah Cunningham
10/31/2005 Update or Other Action DEC pre-approves transport and thermal treatment at ASR of an estimated 60 tons of contaminated soil that is to be excavated the week of November 7th, 2005. Robert Weimer
11/3/2005 Update or Other Action Because of frozen ground conditions an extension is granted until June 30, 2006 to do the excavation work and to install well points. On property drinking water well is to be sampled in November of 2005. Robert Weimer
1/27/2006 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other 11/4/05 on property drinking water well sampling event. The water tested non-detect for BTEX, GRO, and DRO. 10.4 ug/l lead was found in the drinking water. Robert Weimer
6/13/2006 Site Visit Site visit to observe excavation of contaminated soil. About 60 cubic yards of contaminated soil was excavated and transported to ASR for thermal treatment. Based on field observations additional contaminated soil was left in the excavation. The on property drinking water well water line appears to have been damaged during the site work. Robert Weimer
4/16/2007 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other June 28, 2006 groundwater monitoring event. Three monitoring wells were sampled. Up to 1.88 mg/l DRO, 30.7 mg/l GRO, 407 ug/l benzene, and 0.269 mg/l lead in the groundwater. The highest petroleum levels are in the monitoring point nearest (about 6 feet away) to the drinking water well. Groundwater was encountered about 4 feet below ground surface. Robert Weimer
4/16/2007 Update or Other Action DEC letter requesting continued monitoring of the drinking water well and site monitoring wells with the next groundwater sampling conducted by June 1, 2007. The letter also requests a corrective action plan by May 4, 2007 for the remaining soil contamination at the site, most of which appears to be located in close proximity of the on property drinking water well. Robert Weimer
4/16/2007 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other June 13, 2006 soil sampling event. 68 tons of contaminated soil was excavated north of the drinking water well and transported to ASR for thermal treatment. Field readings indicate that contaminated soil remains in the excavation and near the drinking water well. Three confirmation soil samples were collected from the excavation. Up to 1290 mg/kg DRO, 193 mg/kg GRO, and 0.946 mg/kg benzene, 67.1 mg/kg lead remain in the soil areas sampled. Soil samples had QA/QC problems (insufficient methanol in sample jar, samples not chilled, surrogate recovery problems, no field duplicate) that may result in the BTEX/GRO results being biased low. The soil contamination to the southwest of the drinking water well (loc-04) was not excavated and this area had levels of 390 mg/kg DRO, 5,800 mg/kg GRO, <15.0 mg/kg Benzene, 2,100 mg/kg Toluene, 64 mg/kg Ethylbenzene, and 330 mg/kg Xylenes in the 8/9/04 sampling. The groundwater at loc-04 had 5.0 mg/l DRO, 78.0 mg/l GRO, 760 ug/l benzene, and 0.48 mg/l lead on 8/9/04. Groundwater samples had QA/QC problems (samples not chilled) that may result in sample results being biased low. Robert Weimer
5/1/2007 Update or Other Action DEC receives an extension request from the RP to submit a corrective action plan and groundwater monitoring event by June 30, 2007. Robert Weimer
5/2/2007 Update or Other Action DEC denies request for submitting a corrective action plan and groundwater monitoring until June, 30, 2007. The request was denied because of the close proximity of the contamination to the drinking water well, and the limited time that the lake levels are low, which gives an opportunity to remove remaining soil contamination that might otherwise not be accessible and make the cleanup easier and less costly. DEC again requests submittal of corrective action plan by May 4, 2007 and the results of a groundwater/drinking water well sampling by June 1, 2007. Robert Weimer
5/4/2007 Update or Other Action RP's consultant submits a letter recommending no corrective action and conditional closure status for this site. Robert Weimer
5/8/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Site ranked on the new Exposure Tracking Model (ETM). The ETM is a new site ranking system that looks at, based on available data, the potential exposure pathways for the contamination remaining at the site. Robert Weimer
5/17/2007 Update or Other Action DEC does not concur with RP's consultant recommendation for conditional closure status for this site. DEC requests a response by May 21, 2007, a corrective action plan for conducting active remediation by May 25, 2007 with the cleanup to begin by June 1, 2007. Robert Weimer
6/1/2007 Update or Other Action DEC issues a letter to RP notifying him that because he has been non responsive the State of Alaska is assuming the lead on the cleanup and monitoring of the site and he will be cost recovered for State costs. Robert Weimer
6/1/2007 Update or Other Action Prepare documents from email ; travel to deliver letter in-person to responsible party Gary Droubay ; transmit trip report to site project manager and DOL via email. Bruce Wanstall
6/2/2007 Update or Other Action Later on June 1, 2007 DEC receives a faxed letter from the RP stating that he is unwilling to do any further site work. Robert Weimer
6/18/2007 Update or Other Action DEC approves term contractors plan to remove all of the remaining soil contamination by the end of June 2007. Robert Weimer
6/25/2007 Update or Other Action On June 25, 2007 DEC receives a corrective action plan dated June 18, 2007. The plan proposes to remove contaminated soil from only one of the contaminated areas of the site, thermally treat the excavated soil, collect one round of groundwater and drinking water samples, and then permanetly abandon all monitoring wells at the site after collecting one round of groundwater samples. Robert Weimer
6/27/2007 Update or Other Action DEC letter to RP rejecting their proposed corrective action plan that was submitted on June 25, 2007. The proposal does not meet the requested time and scope of work. The corrective action plan that was received on June 25, 2007 does not meet the requirements of the Department’s April 16, 2007 letter, the Department’s May 17, 2007 letter, and the Department’s June 1, 2007 State of Alaska Assumption of Cleanup letter for the following reasons: 1. The plan schedule states "Fieldwork is tentatively scheduled for July 2007." In the June 1, 2007 State of Alaska Assumption of Cleanup letter you are to implement an approved plan before the end of June 2007. The soil excavation work needs to be completed as soon as possible because the lake levels are currently low but are rising as the lake outfall dam work has been recently completed and the lake is refilling back to normal levels. 2. The plan is incomplete because it does not address all of the remaining areas of contamination at the site. The plan proposes to only remove contaminated soil in the area near the drinking water well. Contaminated soil has also been identified at two other piping locations and near the fuel dispenser at the site, which this plan would not address. 3. The plan calls for the removal all of the monitoring wells at the site immediately after collecting just one sampling event, regardless of the concentrations remaining in the groundwater at the site. There will need to be more than just one monitoring event to demonstrate that the groundwater at the site consistently meets cleanup levels. In addition at least one replacement monitoring well will need to be installed and sampled because the most contaminated monitoring well is within an area where contaminated soil is to be removed. Robert Weimer
7/18/2007 Site Visit Site visit to observe the removal of contaminated soil and groundwater. Robert Weimer
10/4/2007 Site Visit Site visit to observe the installation of replacement monitoring wells. Robert Weimer
5/13/2008 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other March 2008 Site Cleanup and Groundwater Sampling Report. Between June 28, 2007 and July 20, 2007, 651 tons of contaminated soil was excavated and thermally treated and approximately 23,000 gallons of contaminated groundwater was pumped from the excavation and treated. Three replacement monitoring wells were installed. Up to 0.513 mg/kg benzene, 24.9 mg/kg GRO, and 155 mg/kg DRO remains in the soil. Groundwater was sampled on October 10, 2007, up to 0.106 mg/l lead, <0.0002 mg/l benzene, <0.05 mg/l GRO, and <0.417 mg/l DRO in the groundwater. Groundwater contamination levels have decreased. Groundwater flow direction was to the west. Depth to groundwater was 2.1 to 2.5 feet below ground surface in the monitoring wells. The drinking water well was non-detect for VOCs, DRO, and GRO; and had 0.00196 mg/l lead (0.015 mg/l is the cleanup level). Robert Weimer
9/8/2008 Conceptual Site Model Submitted Conceptual Site Model submitted with the March 2008 report. Future Indoor Air volatilization. Current outdoor air, ingestion/contact with soil, migration to groundwater/surface water, and ecological ingestion/contact. Robert Weimer
4/20/2009 Update or Other Action ADEC notified that the next groundwater monitoring event is scheduled for early May 2009. At the same time they plan to place gravel to restore the former excavation area. Robert Weimer
5/20/2009 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other June 25, 2008 Groundwater monitoring event. Up to <0.001 mg/l lead, <0.0005 mg/l benzene, <0.05 mg/l GRO, and <0.391 mg/l DRO in the groundwater. Groundwater contamination levels have decreased. Groundwater flow direction was to the southeast. Depth to groundwater was 0.9 to 2.8 feet below ground surface in the monitoring wells. The drinking water well had 0.00057 mg/l bromomethane (0.051 mg/l cleanup level), 0.00921 mg/l chloromethane (0.066 mg/l cleanup level) and it was non-detect for other VOCs, DRO, and GRO; and had 0.00307 mg/l lead (0.015 mg/l is the cleanup level). Robert Weimer
5/20/2009 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other December 23, 2008 Groundwater monitoring event. The water in one monitoring well (MW-1) was frozen. Up to <0.001 mg/l lead, 0.00098 mg/l benzene, 0.0734 mg/l GRO, and <0.391 mg/l DRO in the groundwater. Groundwater contamination levels have increased slightly. Groundwater flow direction was to the west. Depth to groundwater was 1.61 to 3.7 feet below ground surface in the monitoring wells. The drinking water well was non-detect for VOCs, DRO, and GRO; and had 0.00256 mg/l lead (0.015 mg/l is the cleanup level). Robert Weimer
6/10/2009 Update or Other Action Call from property owner concerned about the material they were using to restore the site. The material did not appear to be similar to the material they had at the surface of their driveway. Talked with consultant about making sure to restore the site with similar material. Robert Weimer
4/5/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other May 29, 2009 Groundwater monitoring event.Up to <0.001 mg/l lead, <0.0005 mg/l benzene, 0.0701 mg/l GRO, and <0.397 mg/l DRO in the groundwater. Groundwater contamination levels have decreased. Groundwater flow direction was to the southeast. Depth to groundwater was 0.91 to 2.73 feet below ground surface in the monitoring wells. The drinking water well was non-detect for VOCs, DRO, GRO, and lead. Robert Weimer
4/5/2010 Conceptual Site Model Submitted Conceptual Site Model identified future site worker for ingestion/contact to surface soils, current/future residential/site worker/visitor/subsistance for surface water and ecological. Robert Weimer
5/5/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Talked with property owner. He said the DOT would be putting in a new culvert on the hillside next to the site this weekend. We discussed that there could be a new contract going out in the next month or two for doing groundwater and drinking water sampling; and for recommendations regarding the remaining soil contamination at the site. Robert Weimer
12/20/2010 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 77847 UST fuel system contamination - 1995. Updated ETM ranking for this site to reflect risk reduction due to State Lead cleanup actions conducted in 2007 and subsequent groundwater monitoring results. Robert Weimer
5/16/2011 Site Visit Site visit to observe the confirmation soil sampling of 3 borings, and the drinking water well sampling. One of the 3 monitoring wells was frozen, so the groundwater monitoring will be conducted in 1 to 2 weeks. Robert Weimer
7/14/2011 Site Characterization Report Approved May/June 2011 Groundwater monitoring event. Up to 0.00024 mg/l benzene in the groundwater. Groundwater contamination is below cleanup levels. Groundwater flow direction was to the southeast. Depth to groundwater was 1.18 to 3.20 feet below ground surface in the monitoring wells. The drinking water well was non-detect for VOCs. Robert Weimer
7/14/2011 Site Characterization Report Approved On May 16, 2011 confirmation soil samples were collected at the 3 locations where contamination remained above site cleanup levels after the 2007 site cleanup work. All confirmation samples meet default cleanup levels. Up to 0.0225 mg/kg benzene (0.0250 mg/kg cleanup level) in the samples. Site now recommended for Corrective Action Complete status and monitoring well decommissioning. Robert Weimer
7/15/2011 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 77847 UST fuel system contamination - 1995. Updated ETM ranking for this site to reflect risk reduction due to State Lead cleanup actions conducted in 2007 and subsequent soil sampling and groundwater monitoring results from May/June 2011. Robert Weimer
2/22/2012 Update or Other Action On August 10, 2011 the three site monitoring wells were all decommissioned. Robert Weimer
4/30/2012 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 77847 UST fuel system contamination - 1995. Robert Weimer
5/7/2013 Update or Other Action Updated lat/long information Robert Weimer
9/10/2014 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued Site received a closed designation on this day. Joshua Barsis

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
DRO < Method 2 Most Stringent SoilSoilSoil

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

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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