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Site Report: Eareckson AS - Tank 490-1/#53

Site Name: Eareckson AS - Tank 490-1/#53
Address: Building 490 Shemya, Amchitka, AK 99546
File Number: 2649.38.001
Hazard ID: 25048
Status: Active
Staff: Erica Blake, 9074512182 erica.blake@alaska.gov
Latitude: 52.713843
Longitude: 174.113269
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

Site TU568-490-1 consists of Former Underground Storage Tank (UST) 490-1, a 1,500-gallon tank that contained diesel fuel no. 2 (DF2). UST 490-1 served as the fuel supply for the heating system at Building 490 at Eareckson Air Station on Shemya Island, Alaska. The UST was removed in 1997 and was reported to be located northeast of Building 490. UST 490-1 measured approximately 60 inches in diameter and 10.5 feet in length and was buried at 3 feet below ground surface. The UST was removed in 1997 and a site assessment was performed. Vegetation over the tank did not appear stressed. Petroleum contamination was detected during excavation. In 2016/2017, eight soil borings were advanced to characterize the extent of the petroleum contamination. In all eight soil borings, contamination was detected but below DEC’s most stringent cleanup levels. Groundwater was not encountered at this site. Based on there being no contaminants of concern identified in the soil above cleanup levels, this site has been recommended for a Cleanup Complete no institutional controls determination.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
7/25/1997 Site Added to Database Former Staff
7/25/1997 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Release Confirmed - Petroleum LUST Site created in CSP for source area ID 77620 DRO contamination (220 mg/kg) found during UST closure. Former Staff
7/25/1997 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Initiated - Petroleum Source Removal. UST removed from the ground. Former Staff
6/25/1998 Underground Storage Tank Site Characterization or Assessment ADEC received the site assessment report. This site is one of 43 UST SA reports contained in the April 1998 Draft " Project Report" Eareckson AS. Final report dated June 11, 1999 and entitled "Project Report - UST Site Assessment Reports, AST Removal Reports, and Environmental Compliance Activities." Associated ADEC/STP comment letter dated January 12, 2000 prepared by Timothy Stevens. ADEC comment letter states that based on information and laboratory data contained in the site assessment reports, tank 490-1 (ADEC #53) will need to have a release investigation done to determine the vertical and horizontal extent of the contamination found during the closure process. Gretchen Pikul
1/12/2000 Update or Other Action ADEC project manager requested the US Air Force to conduct a release investigation of the site to find the full extent of the contaminated soils found during the UST closure process. Tim Stevens
12/12/2000 Update or Other Action Commented on corrective action taken in 1999 regarding cleanup levels and requiring additional characterization. Curtis Conner
2/12/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Need lab data to confirm sampling. Jill Taylor
9/25/2014 Meeting or Teleconference Held A project records review and scoping meeting was held between the ADEC and USAF. Additional investigation work is planned for this site during 2015. Jessica Morris
10/22/2015 Update or Other Action The ADEC Contaminated Sites Program reviewed and commented on a draft scope of work for investigation, remedial process optimization, and long term management studies at several sites for Eareckson Air Station. Jessica Morris
8/31/2016 Site Characterization Workplan Approved The ADEC Contaminated Sites Program conditionally approved the 2016 Uniform Federal Policy - Quality Assurance Project Plan (UFP-QAPP) for Site Characterization at 14 Former POL Sites, Eareckson Air Station, Shemya Island, Alaska. The conditions for the UFP-QAPP are as follows: 1) We do not object to the long term monitoring work being completed as outlined in the UFP-QAPP; however ADEC cannot concur that efforts will be counted towards meeting the end point criteria outlined in the decision documents until an adequate monitoring program has been established. 2)The QAPP states that field screening results and field observations will be used to determine additional groundwater monitoring well locations. These locations should to be coordinated with ADEC. 3) The leaking underground storage tank (LUST) sites at Eareckson Air Station will need to be characterized and closed in accordance with LUST regulations that are included in 18 AAC 78. 4) The scope of work for this investigation may not be sufficient to fully characterize the sites listed in the work plan, and additional investigation may be necessary. Jessica Morris
11/14/2016 Site Visit ADEC staff travelled to Eareckson Air Station for 4 days to conduct site visits and become familiar with the ecology and topography of the island. Site visits were conducted to all pertinent sites and meetings were held to with ADEC and USAF to discuss a path forward for the sites. Jessica Morris
11/27/2017 Site Visit ADEC staff travelled to Eareckson Air Station for 3 days to conduct site visits and institutional control inspections. Site visits were conducted to all pertinent sites and meetings were held to with ADEC and USAF to discuss a path forward for the sites. Jessica Morris
2/23/2018 Update or Other Action The ADEC Contaminated Sites Program submitted comments on the Draft Site Characterization Report at 13 Former POL Sites, Phase I, Eareckson Air Station, Alaska. Jessica Morris
2/23/2018 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other The ADEC Contaminated Sites Program provide comments on the Draft Site Characterization Report at 13 Former POL Sites, Phase I, Eareckson Air Station. Jessica Morris
5/2/2018 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other The ADEC Contaminated Sites Program submitted comments on the Draft Remedial Process Optimization Report for Eareckson Air Station. The purpose of the report was to present an evaluation of the effectiveness of the current selected site remedies and make recommendations for optimization of an island-wide monitoring and management program for contaminated sites at Eareckson. ADEC had numerous comments on the document, and requested a project team meeting to further discuss a more effective and efficient program at Eareckson. Jessica Morris
4/27/2022 Update or Other Action On 4/27/2022 ADEC approved the Eareckson Air Station, Alaska, REMEDIAL PROCESS OPTIMIZATION REPORT dated April 2022. This Remedial Process Optimization (RPO) Report presents an evaluation of the effectiveness of current selected site remedies and makes recommendations for optimization of the IWM Program, as appropriate to establish a more integrated groundwater monitoring program at Eareckson AS. RPO is a systematic approach for evaluating and improving the effectiveness of site remediation without increasing site risk. This RPO Report presents a site-by-site evaluation of effectiveness of the sites selected remedy and provides recommendations to: • Streamline groundwater monitoring. • Develop a holistic approach to site management. • Maintain the remedial action objectives (RAOs) set forth in established Record of Decisions (RODs) and Decision Documents (DDs). Daniela Fawcett
10/15/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided responses to comments for the Decision Document for 23 Petroleum Contaminated Sites, Eareckson Air Station, Shemya Island, Alaska, Draft (dated July 2024) to the U.S. Air Force. Most of the responses to comments were acceptable, with a couple requiring additional text changes to the document. Two sites (CS566 and OT617) have contamination present above human health levels and a Notice of Activity Use and Limitations will be required for those sites. Erica Blake

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details

Requirements

Description Details

There are no documents for this site report.

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
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