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Site Report: FAA Cape Yakataga Station Landfill #1

Site Name: FAA Cape Yakataga Station Landfill #1
Address: On Duktoth River; NW of Landing Strip, Cape Yakataga, AK 99574
File Number: 2208.38.001
Hazard ID: 25321
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 60.087222
Longitude: -142.502222
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

Former Refuse Dump #1 is located in an area formerly owned by FAA, off a trail to a former MRL facility. The site is located at the edge of the East Bank of the Duktoth River and is actively eroding during high flow conditions of the river. Refuse is being dislodged and deposited in the river. The exposed area of the dump is approximately 100 horizontal feet by 5 vertical feet; however, the actual dumpsite is believed to measure 125 feet by 125 feet. Highly eroded debris, including scrap metal, drums, and metal containers formerly used to store various industrial and household products (e.g., plastic containers, sheeting, and galvanized batteries), was observed at the site during a SI conducted in FY92. The SI recommended further investigation to assess the extent of the contamination, FAA use of the site, and proper closure procedures for this site. The site was investigated in 1997, and while no immediate environmental threat was found, it was determined that the site was likely to encounter future washouts. In FY07, due to ADEC concern regarding eroding landfills and after discovering that the logging road that exists between Cape Yakataga and Icy Bay (the nearest area to land a barge) will be removed after the field season, FAA put together a SOW to excavate the dump and remove the debris. During the excavation of the dump, much more soil was encountered than expected. Debris was removed and the soil placed back in the dump after screening for POL with a PID. During excavation of the dump, a large area of partially burnt trash was discovered. Samples were taken from the ash and surrounding soils and results were positive for dioxins (ranging from 184 ppt to 2060 ppt). ADEC cleanup level for dioxin is 39 ppt. Four containers (40 CY open top containers) were filled with partially burnt trash and debris. Excavation limit confirmation results came back with hits of DRO, RRO, Dioxin and PCB above cleanup levels. In what is termed as Phase I of the dump removal, approximately 527 tons of debris and soil and wastes were removed. Phase II took place at the end of FY07 and removed 1,750 tons contaminated soil and debris. Phase III took place in FY08 and removed the remainder of the contaminated soil (approximately 1,820 tons), rebuilt the river bank, and disposed of various other pieces of debris from the runway.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
12/13/1993 Site Added to Database Chlorinated solvents, metals, diesel, gasoline and waste oil. Former Staff
12/21/1994 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RPL2 - Site Information Request Letter). Former Staff
2/7/1995 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SA2 - Phase II Site Assessment (General)). Review of "Compliance Investigation Report" --ADEC had no comment except that it was looking forward to work plan submittal. Randy Rice
11/28/1997 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. Sally Schlichting
2/18/2000 Meeting or Teleconference Held Met with FAA and contractor to discuss file, ADEC requirements for additional characterization, and target cleanup levels. Eileen Olson
2/28/2000 Update or Other Action Issued file review letter outlining alternatives for developing cleanup levels and requesting additional investigation and monitoring. Eileen Olson
3/23/2000 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Reranked site to reflect the presence of contamination in groundwater monitoring wells (Groundwater Exposure Index Value went from 0 to 1) and existence of on-site water well (groundwater Exposure went from 0.1 to 0.8)--the well is used for bathing and other purposes, but drinking water is brought in. Site was a high priority before changes were made and still is. Eileen Olson
6/29/2000 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Letter sent: Staff conditionally approved a release investigation work plan for additional characterization of soil and groundwater contamination at this remote facility, to begin by mid-July. FAA plans to construct several monitoring wells in highly contaminated areas, and several sentinel wells to determine whether groundwater contaminants are migrating off-site into the adjacent marine environment or other surface waters. FAA also plans to construct a lined and covered passive biocell to contain about 60 cubic yards of diesel contaminated soil. The soil will be placed in the cell in an 18-inch-thick lift. Soil type is primarily sandy gravel. Eileen Olson
11/16/2000 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting at FAA to discuss the findings of the Cape Yakataga investigation. Free product present. Requested table showing screened intervals correlated with water depths in monitoring wells. Eileen Olson
9/18/2002 Update or Other Action Sent letter requesting groundwater monitoring for all existing wells on site, with a schedule of monitoring to be submitted by March 31, 2003 and the monitoring to be complete by June 30, 2003. Elizabeth Stergiou
9/19/2002 Update or Other Action Sent letter requesting FAA submit the following documents by October 1, 2002: Environmental Compliance Investigation Report, the final release investigation report from 2000, status of free product and status of the all contaminated sites at the station. Elizabeth Stergiou
9/4/2003 Update or Other Action ADEC approved the workplan for the Fall 2003 Sampling and Analysis Plan for various sites. Deborah Williams
5/7/2004 Site Number Identifier Changed Region changed from 11 to 24. Former Staff
2/23/2007 Update or Other Action comment letter sent on the scope of work for landfill removal Debra Caillouet
4/10/2007 Update or Other Action Staff provided expedited comment on the draft landfill removal work plan Debra Caillouet
4/30/2007 Cleanup Plan Approved Plan to remove contents of landfill eroding into the Duktoth and charcterize and dispose was approved Debra Caillouet
8/20/2007 Cleanup Plan Approved The Phase II removal action work plan addendum was approved. The FAA will remove the top half of the landfill during August-September 2007 and store equipment at the site over winter. Another work plan will be provided for Phase III which will occur next spring to complete the removal of the contaminated soil. Debra Caillouet
10/12/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Debra Caillouet
3/7/2008 Update or Other Action Comments on the draft Phase I/II removal report were sent to the FAA. Debra Caillouet
3/24/2008 Update or Other Action Comments were sent on the Phase III landfill removal work plan. Debra Caillouet
11/20/2008 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Staff reviewed and prepared comment on the Cape Yakataga Debris Removal, Phase III Report, Revision 0, October 2008 Debra Caillouet
11/20/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 78271 landfill. Debra Caillouet
1/9/2009 Interim Removal Action Approved Staff approved the PhaseI/II landfill removal report Debra Caillouet
1/12/2009 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
2/12/2009 Final Cleanup Report Reviewed The final Phase III removal report was approved Debra Caillouet
2/12/2009 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued Debra Caillouet

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
Dioxins - Total Other Soil
PCBs - Total < Method 2 Most Stringent Soil
Lead - Total < Method 2 Most Stringent Soil

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