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Site Report: NPS Gulkana Airport

Site Name: NPS Gulkana Airport
Address: Gulkana Airport Lot 7 Block 21, Glennallen, AK 99588
File Number: 140.26.019
Hazard ID: 24819
Status: Cleanup Complete - Institutional Controls
Staff: IC Unit, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 62.155486
Longitude: -145.458801
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

Contamination reported by phone to the Dept. on 9/17/98 by Bruce Sherwood of the NPS,who was on site during the closure of 3 regulated tanks. Per Mr Sherwood, a Notice of Closure had been filed, being received by ADEC on 9/2/98. He believed the contamination to be from Jet B fuel. Changed file number L74.18 to 140.26.019 on 3/8/02. Soil sampling characterized the site during the 1998 removal of three USTs. Soil samples contained GRO and benzene above cleanup levels. Some contamination was attributed to a leaky fitting on tank 3. An aquifer exists perched upon the fine and discontinuously frozen soils of the area. Benzene and GRO levels in the perched aquifer were above cleanup levels, however chromatography analysis suggests that the perched aquifer may be contaminated with compounds not related to the NPS USTs. The distance to groundwater is approximately 200 feet and soils are fine silt with discontinuous permafrost; migration of contaminates to groundwater is unlikely. A perched aquifer exists at the site approximately 2 feet bgs. Additional characterization in February 2000 estimated that 200-250 cubic yards of contaminated soil still exists beneath the backfill of the previous excavation. The nearest building is approximately 50 yards away, and a soil sample half the distance between the former USTs and the building was nondetect. Soil sampling showed the capacity of microorganisms to naturally attenuate the remaining contamination based on the presence of dissolved oxygen, nitrate, and sulfate.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
9/17/1998 Site Added to Database Former Staff
9/17/1998 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Release Confirmed - Petroleum LUST Site created in CSP for source area ID 77277 Soil Contamination found during closure of 3 regulated tanks. (Added by System) Former Staff
9/18/1998 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Initiated - Petroleum Contaminated Soil was excavated from the site. Former Staff
9/24/1998 Update or Other Action The Dept approved a request for long term storage of the contaminated soils off site. Former Staff
1/13/1999 Underground Storage Tank Site Characterization or Assessment Dept received the SA Report. Former Staff
3/8/1999 Update or Other Action Dept reviewed and responded to the SA Report. Requested WP for a RI and that issues associae with the contaminated soils stockpile, be addressed. Also requested a completed Summary Form be submitted. Former Staff
7/13/1999 Update or Other Action Received ltr from RP, addressing Dept concerns on stockpiled soils and providing completed Summary form. Former Staff
7/29/1999 Update or Other Action Ltr from Dept to RP, noting that the Summary form was incomplete and expressing concerns on the quanity of stockpiled soils. Former Staff
8/6/1999 Update or Other Action Ltr from RP, resubmitting Summary form and providing additional info on the stockpiled soils. Former Staff
8/9/1999 Update or Other Action Ltr from Dept to RP,accepting response on Contaminated soils and noting the need for a WP for the planned RI. Former Staff
9/7/1999 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Corrective Action Underway WP for a RI was received from the RP's consultant. Former Staff
9/9/1999 Update or Other Action Dept issued ltr, approving WP for RI. Former Staff
12/6/2000 Update or Other Action Letter recd doumenting disposal of 60+ cu yds contaminated soil. David Allen
3/11/2002 Update or Other Action (Williams) Changed file number L74.18 to 140.26.019 on March 8, 2002. Deborah Williams
8/21/2002 Update or Other Action RECKEY has automatically been generated. Cynthia Pring-Ham
1/28/2004 Update or Other Action Transferred DEC staff lead from John Carnahan Cynthia Pring-Ham
12/17/2009 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 77277 name: Former USTs Melody Debenham
8/10/2010 Update or Other Action Issued a letter to the NPS indicating the need for additional characterization of this site. James Ward
8/8/2011 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Approved work plan to perform soil and groundwater sampling at this site to determined current site conditions. Melody Debenham
2/13/2012 Site Characterization Report Approved Approved the 2011 Site Characterization Report for the NPS Gulkana Airport site. In 1998 three underground storage tanks (USTs), one containing Jet B fuel and two containing Avgas, and associated piping were removed, however, contaminated soil was left in place. Additional site characterization activities in 2011 show that contaminated soil and suprapermafrost groundwater remain at this site, but does not appear to be migrating and remains limited to the area surrounding the original release. Clay and frozen soils restrict migration, and previous work at this site suggests that the suprapermafrost groundwater is discontinuous. The area is now covered with an asphalt tarmac. Melody Debenham
1/16/2014 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 77277 Former USTs. Melody Debenham
9/30/2014 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Potentially responsible party letter sent to the National Park Service. Melody Debenham
11/20/2014 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued Corrective Action Complete Determination with Institutional Controls issued. Petroleum related contamination remains in the former excavation footprint above the cleanup level. The former excavation has been backfilled with clean fill and an asphalt tarmac covers the area. The presence of known remaining contamination will be identified by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities on the land occupancy drawings and in the special provisions of the lease. The National Park Service (NPS) will maintain a geographic information system database identifying the location of remaining contamination. Melody Debenham
11/20/2014 Institutional Control Record Established Institutional Controls established and entered into the database. Melody Debenham
10/6/2017 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC compliance review conducted and staff changed from Melody Debenham to IC Unit. Reminder system set to follow-up on the five year land use reporting in 2019. Kristin Thompson
4/12/2019 Institutional Control Compliance Review Received information from ADOT stating that land use has not changed on this property. An IC reminder letter was not issued. Evonne Reese
6/14/2022 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC compliance review conducted and a site visit was performed by the Copper River Native Association. Field notes state that the tarmac is still in place and that this is an active airport. There has been no new construction. There is one active aboveground storage tank. The surrounding vegetation look healthy. Evonne Reese

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
DRO Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil
GRO > Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil
BTEX > Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil

Control Type

Type Details
Land Use Plan / Maps / Base Master Plan The presence of known remaining contamination and the conditions that owners and operators are subject to in accordance with the 2014 decision document will be identified by ADOT&PF on the land occupancy drawings and in the special provisions section of the lease.
Federal or State Agency GIS Database Note To ensure that no projects are planned without knowledge of the remaining contamination at this site, the NPS will maintain a geographic information system database identifying the location of remaining contamination. In addition, a screening question has been added to the NPS planning process for all projects asking if there is contaminated soil or groundwater located within the project area.
Signed CS Determination

Requirements

Description Details
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.
Movement or use of contaminated material (including on site) in a manner that results in a violation of the water quality standards is prohibited (18 AAC 70)
When Contaminated Soil is Accessible, Remediation Should Occur Sub-surface contamination is located under the tarmac. The tarmac must be maintained to prevent exposure to contaminated soil. If the tarmac is removed or the soil becomes accessible, the soil must be evaluated and contamination addressed in accordance with an ADEC approved work plan.
Groundwater Use Restrictions Installation of groundwater wells requires ADEC approval.
Other Every five years.
Hazard ID Site Name File Number
1688 NPS Gulkana Airport 140.26.019

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