Skip to content Skip to content

Site Report: Fort Wainwright Vehicle Wash Rack

Site Name: Fort Wainwright Vehicle Wash Rack
Address: East End Airfield/Ketchum, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
File Number: 108.26.034
Hazard ID: 2492
Status: Cleanup Complete - Institutional Controls
Staff: Carly Jensen, 9072697558 carly.jensen@alaska.gov
Latitude: 64.831870
Longitude: -147.590184
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

3500 gallon capacity UST removed summer 1995. Tank was connected to Oil/Water separator system. Stained soil around tank fill and vent. Approximately 110 cubic yards soil removed. DRO levels of 9700ppm, GRO of 220ppm. Laboratory analyses showed no metals, PCBs, or chlorinated compounds. The Vehicle Wash Rack was used as a staging area to clean Army vehicles. It consisted of a concrete pad (still remaining), an oil water separator (OWS), and a waste oil tank. Water generated from washing vehicles flowed to a drain connected to an OWS. The original OWS and 3,500 gallon waste oil tank (Fort Wainwright Tank No. 924) were removed in 1995 and replaced (Oil Spill Technology, 1995). Approximately 110 cubic yards of soil was excavated during the UST removal. The soil was thermally treated because soil samples collected from the excavation contained DRO, GRO, and TPH concentrations that exceeded ADEC cleanup levels. A UST Release Investigation was conducted during 1996. The investigation involved drilling soil borings and collecting soil samples, installing groundwater probes and collecting groundwater samples. All of the borings and groundwater probes were installed along the north and east ends of the former UST location. Soil samples from two of the borings exceeded the ADEC cleanup level for DRO with a maximum concentration of 12,000 mg/kg. Benzene also exceeded the ADEC cleanup goal in one of the soil samples. Groundwater samples from one groundwater probe had a benzene concentration of 16.2 µg/L, while a second groundwater probe had a DRO concentration of 1.83 mg/L. The FARP fueling system was being constructed at the time of the investigation, which limited the extent of the investigation. The replacement OWS and 2000 gallon waste oil tank (Fort Wainwright Tank No. 924A) were removed during 1999 (Rockwell Engineering & Construction Services, 1999). Soil was field screened but was not submitted for analytical testing. Reportedly, field screening identified a small amount of potentially contaminated soil from soil that was excavated during removal of the tank. The soil was backfilled following the tank removal. During 2004, an investigation was conducted at the FARP that involved the drilling and sampling of one soil boring that was converted to a monitoring well. Monitoring well, AP-9081, was located approximately 10 feet west of an existing groundwater probe that had the highest benzene concentration observed during the 1996 investigation. Soil and groundwater samples collected from AP-9081 were below ADEC cleanup levels.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
8/10/1995 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SA1 - Phase I Site Assessment (General)). Removal of 1 each, 3500 gallon waste oil tank. 110 cubic yards removed for remediation after PID screening. Ronan Short
10/10/1995 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SA2 - Phase II Site Assessment (General)). Lab results show no evidence of metals, PCBs or other chlorinated compounds. DRO= 9700ppm, GRO 223ppm, no BTEX. Ronan Short
3/28/1996 Site Added to Database DRO and GRO contamination. Jeff Peterson
3/28/1996 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. Ronan Short
12/12/2001 Institutional Control Record Established 1. All organizations conducting activities on United States Army Alaska (USARAK) controlled land are responsible for complying with established institutional controls (ICs). ICs are administrative, procedural, and regulatory measures to control human access to and usage of property. They are applicable to all known or suspected contaminated sites where contamination has been left in place. 2. These controls have been established to implement the selected remedial actions agreed upon by the U.S. Army (Army), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) as amended by the Superfund Amendment Reauthorization Act (SARA). These controls also apply to remedial actions agreed upon under Two-Party Compliance Agreements. These agreements are concluded between USARAK and ADEC and apply to petroleum/oil/lubricants- (POL) contaminated sites. 3. ICs such as limitations on access, water use, excavations, and property transfers will supplement engineering controls as appropriate for short-term and long-term management to prevent or limit human and environmental exposure to hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Specific ICs include, among other things: limitations on the depth and location of excavations, prohibition of or restrictions on well drilling and use of ground water, requirements for worker use of personal protective equipment, site monitoring, and prohibition of certain land uses, types of vehicles, etc. 4. Organizational units, tenants, and support/contractor organizations must obtain an Excavation Clearance Request (ECR) for all soil disturbing activities impacting soils six inches or more below the ground surface. The review process for approval of an ECR begins with the identification of the current status (known or suspected hazardous waste site or “clean” site) of a work location. ECR’s for work in known or suspected hazardous waste sites: a. will include specific limitations and controls on such work; b. will include specific IC procedures, and notification, monitoring, reporting, and stop work requirements; c. may include procedures for management, characterization, and disposal of any soil or groundwater encountered or removed; d. will identify “project managers” for both the unit/contractor requesting the work and DPW Environment Resources. 5. The DPW project manager will conduct on-site inspections of each work site (at which ICs apply) to determine continued compliance with the terms and conditions of the approved ECR. DPW has the authority to revoke ECR approval if the specified terms and conditions are not being met. ECR forms are available at the Customer Service Desks at: a. Building 730 at Fort Richardson; b. Building 3015 at Fort Wainwright; c. Building 605 at Fort Greely. 6. USARAK has negotiated (with USEPA and/or ADEC) decision documents and/or Records of Decision (RODs) that mandate the implementation of ICs USARAK Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Resources Department (PWE), maintains copies of all decision documents and RODs requiring ICs in its real property files. PWE provides regularly updated post maps showing all areas affected by ICs. These maps can easily be accessed by using an approved intranet mapping interface application. Copies of these maps will be available to each directorate, activity, and tenant organization. To ensure the effectiveness of ICs, all organizational units and tenant activities will be informed on an annual basis of ICs on contaminated soils and groundwater in effect near their facilities. 7. ICs are enforceable by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). Failure to comply with an IC mandated in a decision document or ROD will violate the USARAK Federal Facility Agreement and may result in stipulated fines and penalties. This does not include the costs of corrective actions required due to violation of an established IC. Sharon Richmond
7/16/2003 Meeting or Teleconference Held Fort Wainwright Restoration Advisory Board held it's last meeting on July16, 2003. Patrice Buck
9/10/2003 Site Number Identifier Changed Changed Workplan from X9 to X1 because there were no hazardous contaminant substances detected at his site. Former Staff
7/27/2009 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Comments were sent to the Army on 2009 Work Plan Assessment and Monitoring at Various Compliance Sites. Debra Caillouet
8/11/2009 Site Characterization Workplan Approved DEC has no objection to implementation of the 2009 Work Plan Assessment and Monitoring at Various Compliance Sites, Fort Wainwright Final August 2009. However, if an underground storage tank (UST) is located 18 AAC 78 should be followed, at a minimum it requires a certified tank closure person, a notice of intent to close and a site assessment and the UST program should be contacted. Debra Caillouet
6/22/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Phase II Environmental Site Assessment/Release Investigation, Replace Petroleum Building for Airfield POL. ARES Jan 2010. Report provides characterization of soil remaining in the footprint of the new Building 2081. Max detected at 3120 mg/kg DRO at 8 feet bgs. No BTEX/GRO, RRO. Report notes highest concentrations on the east side. Approval to transport 60 tons of excavated soil to OIT given. Debra Caillouet
8/6/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Draft 2009 Assessment Report, Assessment and Monitoring at Various Compliance Sites, Fort Wainwright, June 2010, approved with no comment. UVOST investigation found DRO up to 15,000 mg/kg at 9-10'bgs, TCE 0.086 mg/kg at 17-18'bgs. No contaminants were detected above cleanup levels in groundwater. The results of the UVOST investigation and soil sampling showed significant DRO contamination in the former wash rack area. Based on the LIF results from the UVOST, the greatest areal extent of soil contamination is associated with the water table. A smaller area of relatively shallow contamination was also identified. Soil sampling results showed higher DRO concentrations in the shallow samples than the deeper samples. UVOST results from the FARP identified one area of potential soil contamination on the northwest corner of the FARP near the aboveground fueling lines. Soil sampling showed DRO exceeds soil cleanup standards in this location. A limited number of UVOST borings were completed in the vicinity of Building 2078, and LIF slightly above background was identified in two UVOST borings . One soil sample was collected from one of the borings, and no exceedances above cleanup levels were identified. The groundwater sampling completed during 2009 at the FARP included one existing well and four newly installed monitoring wells. The sampling results showed that there were no exceedances of ADEC cleanup levels in the groundwater at the site. However, previous exceedances of DRO and benzene have been identified in the vicinity of the former wash rack, and low level TCE concentrations were identified in the soil and groundwater in of one of the new monitoring wells (AP-10024). Since petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations are typically highest in the spring when water levels are lowest, groundwater samples should be collected in spring/summer 2010 to further evaluate potential groundwater at the site. Future sampling frequency may be determined based on the results from this sampling round. Debra Caillouet
12/6/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other 2009 Assessment Report, Assessment and Monitoring at Various Compliance Sites, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, November 2010 The assessment activities at the FARP consisted of conducting a soil investigation using UVOST, collecting soil samples in soil borings adjacent to UVOST points and, installation of monitoring wells and collection of soil samples from the associated borings, and collecting groundwater samples from the new wells and existing well. The results of the UVOST investigation showed the most significant soil contamination is associated with the former wash rack area. One of six UVOST borings advanced in the vicinity of the FARP indicated soil contamination near the existing fuel distribution piping, and there was no indication of soil contamination in the limited number of UVOST borings completed near Building 2078. Soil sampling results showed that the primary COC remaining at the FARP sites is DRO. DRO above cleanup levels was identified in soil samples collected adjacent to UVOST points in the wash rack area and in one boring from the FARP. The soil sampling results from the Building 2078 area showed all COCs less than the ADEC cleanup levels. Similar soil sampling results were obtained from samples collected during monitoring well installation. However, in addition to DRO, TCE was detected above cleanup levels in one soil sample collected from the soil boring for monitoring well AP-10024 which is in the vicinity of the former wash rack. Debra Caillouet
9/7/2011 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved 28 tons to OIT benzo(a)pyrene Debra Caillouet
9/20/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Draft 2010 Sampling Report, Two-Party Sites, Former Building 3564, North Post, Vehicle Wash Rack/FARP, Former Building 3483, Building 2077, Former Building 5110 and Former Building 2250, Fort Wainwright Alaska September 2011 Debra Caillouet
10/13/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Draft 2011 Work Plan, Two-Party Sites, Building 2077, Former Buildings 2062/2063, Former Building 3483, Former Building 3564, Vehicle Wash Rack/FARP, Building 2250, Fort Wainwright, October 2011 Debra Caillouet
11/9/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Final 2011 Work Plan, Two-Party Sites, Building 2077, Former Buildings 2062/2063, Former Building 3483, Former Building 3564, Vehicle Wash Rack/FARP, Building 2250, Fort Wainwright, October 2011 Debra Caillouet
4/4/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Final 2010 Sampling Report, Two-Party Sites, Former Building 3564, North Post, Vehicle Wash Rack/FARP, Former Building 3483, Building 2077, Former Building 5110 and Former Building 2250, Fort Wainwright Alaska October 2011 Debra Caillouet
9/13/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Draft 2012 Work Plan Two-Party Sites, Building 2077, Former Buildings 2062/2063, North Post, Former Building 3564, Vehicle Wash Rack/FARP, Fort Wainwright, September 2012 Debra Caillouet
10/29/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Final 2012 Work Plan Two-Party Sites, Building 2077, Former Buildings 2062/2063, North Post, Former Building 3564, Vehicle Wash Rack/FARP, Fort Wainwright, September 2012 Debra Caillouet
10/29/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Final 2011 Sampling Report, Two-Party Sites, Former Building 3564, Former Building 2062/2063, Building 2077, Vehicle Wash Rack/FARP, Former Building 3483, and Former Building 2250, Fort Wainwright Alaska September 2012 Debra Caillouet
12/13/2013 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued Based on 2012 Two Party Report Debra Caillouet
8/28/2015 Update or Other Action Transfer to Fairbanks Susan Carberry
1/1/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the 2015 Annual Institutional Controls Report, Fort Wainwright, Alaska (August 2016). Dennis Shepard

Contaminant Information

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

Control Type

Type Details
Federal or State Agency GIS Database Note
Land Use Plan / Maps / Base Master Plan

Requirements

Description Details
Excavation / Soil Movement Restrictions
Groundwater Use Restrictions
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.
Continue     Close