Site Report: Buckland IRA Fuel Depot

Site Name:	Buckland IRA Fuel Depot
Address:	Village Sanitation Road; ~150 Feet SE of New Tank Farm, ~0.1 Mile NW of City Shop, City and IRA Offices, Buckland, AK 99727
File Number:	520.38.003
Hazard ID:	25354
Status:	Active
Staff:	Stacee Henderson, 9072628202 stacee.henderson@alaska.gov
Latitude:	65.978327
Longitude:	-161.130767
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.

Site Chronology
IC / Closure Details
Documents
Associated Sites

Problems/Comments

At the time of the 2001 site reconnaissance, this bulk fuel storage facility consisted of eleven aboveground storage tanks (ASTs; three gasoline and eight diesel) located on a gravel pad. The tank farm was fenced and contained within a lined bermed area. The tank farm was active at the time of site reconnaissance, but a new consolidated tank farm built approximately 150' to the northwest of the subject site, prior to 2007. A sheen was noted near the dispenser shed during site reconnaissance. On April 5, 2008, a 7,750-gallon release (spill no. 08389909601) was reported to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) Prevention and Emergency Response Program (PERP). The spill occurred when a 2" supply line from a 42,000 gallon AST to the fuel pump failed at the dispensing unit. Kuskokwim Architects and Engineers (KAE) operated the facility on behalf of Village Safe Water (VSW) at the time of the release. KAE was already in the process of containing/recovering this fuel when PERP responded to the spill. Approximately 3,100 gallons of diesel were recovered. In August 2009, ADEC Solid Waste informed the Contaminated Sites Program learned that 14 supersacks of petroleum contaminated soil were shipped to Kotzebue without authorization when VSW asked for authorization to transport these supersacks from Kotzebue.

Action Information

Action Date	Action	Description	DEC Staff
6/21/2001	Site Added to Database	A new site has been added to the database (Date adjusted from 2/20/2009 for report/query consistency. (Reese))	Mitzi Read
6/21/2001	Update or Other Action	Shannon & Wilson conducted a site reconnaissance, funded by the Denali Commission of tanks and tank farms in the village of Buckland. During this effort, a sheen was noted on standing water. Eight locations were screened around the perimeter of the tank farm using a PID. Five locations had <1 result reported. The other three locations had 150, 300, and 550 ppm results. Analytical samples were collected from the 150 and 500 ppm locations with DRO results of 4,170 mg/kg and 2,260 mg/kg respectively. GRO and BTEX results were below most conservative Method Two criteria. The GRO was higher for the location with the higher PID result but lower DRO result, as expected.	Keather McLoone
1/25/2008	Update or Other Action	Provided copy of Shannon & Wilson AST Recon Assessment report to Mayor Ticket of Buckland who was in our offices to meet with VSW regarding a capital improvement project in Buckland.	Keather McLoone
3/3/2008	Update or Other Action	Met with Jon Menough of VSW program regarding upcoming work in Buckland. He confirmed that the water intake for the village is currently upstream from the village and that "Plan A" has it again going in upstream although an alternative plan would place it in a downstream location and he is now informed of the potential concerns regarding such a placement. The construction project will have DEC and construction oversight staff in the village very often over ~ next 3 years.	Keather McLoone
4/5/2008	Update or Other Action	New release identified.	Keather McLoone
2/20/2009	Exposure Tracking Model Ranking	Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 78710 name: Bulk ASTs (3 Gasoline and 8 Diesel)	Mitzi Read
5/21/2009	Update or Other Action	Receipt of Contaminated Soil Management Plan from Summit Consulting following discussion with Debra Addie of VSW. The ongoing water & sewer improvement project anticipates the possibility of encountering contaminated soil during the project. In addition to the more historic contamination at the site, in April 2008 an about 7,500 gallon diesel spill occurred at this location (Buckland KAE Diesel Fuel Spill - Spill No.08389909601). The response included removal of fuel to be reused, treatment of impacted snow, and contaminated soil removal. On 6/11 PERP staff indicated that sample information related to this spill would be provided to the CSP (awaiting their return from Eagle/river flood response).	Keather McLoone
7/9/2009	Update or Other Action	Receipt via email from PERP information regarding samples collected following last year's spill response at the KAE spill (The ADEC spill # is 08389909601) at this site. Samples collected on 4/21/09 showed DRO concentrations up to 250,000 mg/kg DRO. These samples were collected after the spill response and removal effort and therefore represent what was left in place. CS staff is working with VSW to collect more recent information as PERP staff has indicated that it was believed that the extent (thickness specifically) of contaminated soil remaining could be considered de minimis and that the area is likely flushed since the last samples were collected. Sampling should be conducted to confirm current conditions and extent of any contamination remaining.	Keather McLoone
7/28/2009	Update or Other Action	Figure of April 2008 sample locations received from PERP via fax to clarify information sent earlier.	Keather McLoone
8/4/2009	Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter	Letter sent to Kuskokwim Architect Engineers (KAE).	Keather McLoone
8/5/2009	Update or Other Action	Summit Consulting requested permission from Solid Waste (SW) to dispose of several supersacks of contaminated soil removed from this site at the Kotzebue Landfill. CS staff was contacted by SW to clarify analytical results obtained to date represent what was left in place rather than soil to be disposed of. Soil will be stored in supersacks until additional information can be obtained and an appropriate disposition determined. Samples should be collected to confirm concentrations of soil in supersacks if landfill disposal is to be considered further.	Keather McLoone
8/24/2009	Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program	Spill transferred by PERP staff Wesley Ghormley. Spill no. 08389909601; spill date = 4/5/08; substance = diesel; quantity = ~7,750 gallons; source = tank farm piping. Description: On April 5, 2008 while refueling equipment, the superintendent of Kuskokwim Architect Engineers (KAE) discovered a pool of diesel near the tank farm piping and reported it to ADEC. Initial reports suggested that an estimated 1,000 gallons of diesel had been released and 100 square feet of frozen wetlands had been impacted. KAE employees were instructed to hire an environmental firm to accurately conduct a site assessment and to further delineate the size of the impacted area. KAE response contractor Alaska Chadux Corporation and an ADEC representative arrived onsite on April 6, 2008. After reviewing fueling records, further site assessment, and delineation of the wetlands, the amount of fuel released was reassessed to be 7,750 gallons, and the impacted area increased to 5,850 square feet. The cause of the release was determined to be from a split fueling pipe that connected to the pump shed. KAE hired local village responders to work directly under Alaska Chadux supervision. Cleanup crews used heavy equipment and hand tools to segregate clean snow from contaminated snow. Responders removed 306 cubic yards of contaminated snow and 150 cubic yards of clean snow from the impacted area. In addition, they used a 2 inch transfer pump to recover “pockets” of fuel that accumulated under the ice. Containment berms and a boiler system were constructed in the heavy equipment shop to assist in melting the contaminated snow and to recover the spilled fuel. The melted snow was further cleaned by filtering it through an Absorb-W water treatment system before discharging it into the waste water treatment lagoon. During the response, which lasted 18 days, a total of 26,950 gallons of melted snow were treated and discharged into the lagoon. In addition, 3,100 gallons of diesel were recovered and will be used in the village for heating purposes. Another 558 cubic feet of contaminated vegetation were burned in Smart Ash burners. Twelve super sacks of contaminated soil were shipped via Northland Barge to Washington State for disposal. Earthen dikes were constructed around the impacted area and sorbent booms were deployed to assist in containing fuel sheens and fuel that may have become mobile in the area during annual spring flooding. During the floods ADEC stayed in daily contact with village responders, and they reported that no sheens were visible in the spill area.	Mitzi Read
9/9/2009	Exposure Tracking Model Ranking	A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 78710 Bulk ASTs (3 Gasoline and 8 Diesel).	Keather McLoone
9/23/2009	Update or Other Action	Date of last email communication with Summit Consulting Services regarding workplan for collection samples. Both supersacks that were transported to Kotzebue as well as the area that had been sampled by PERP should be sampled.	Keather McLoone
1/14/2010	Update or Other Action	Reconfirmed with Debra Addie on 1/14/2010 about location of water intake because the drinking water program maps/tools have it in an incorrect location downgradient.	Keather McLoone
6/3/2010	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	Receipt via email Sampling and Analysis Workplan for Contaminated Soils in Buckland submitted by Summit Consulting on behalf of VSW. Sampling is planned for supersacks, currently located in Kotzebue, of soil removed from the site and soil remaining in place (to determine current conditions).	Keather McLoone
7/8/2010	Update or Other Action	VSW indicated via email that Summit Consulting was preparing a cost estimate to perform the sampling covered in the recently submitted workplan.	Keather McLoone
8/10/2010	Update or Other Action	Email on this date from VSW stating they do not have funds to sample soil on site or in Kotzebue.	Keather McLoone
9/13/2011	Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved	CSP approved the transport and disposal of 14 supersacks of contaminated soil from the April 2008 fuel spill in Buckland.	Keather McLoone
2/2/2012	Update or Other Action	Received an adequate certificate of disposal for the most recent shipment of contaminated soil removed from this site.	Keather McLoone
4/10/2015	Update or Other Action	File review completed on this day; it was reported that 8,000 gallons of diesel spilled in 2008. A limited cleanup was undertaken for impacted snow and ice, maybe some soil. PERP collected 5 soil samples after the cleanup. Results indicated DRO was present above max CLs in several areas, up to maximum of 250,000 mg/kg. PERP suggested that the remaining contamination is limited in depth; however, it is relatively impossible to verify without further characterization/delineation. Also, it appears that contamination is spread over a large area, and underneath a fuel pipeline. This site needs a full site characterization.	Joshua Barsis
6/28/2016	Update or Other Action	Follow-up review; no new information.	Joshua Barsis
11/3/2016	Update or Other Action	Follow up review-no new information	Erin Gleason
11/3/2016	Update or Other Action	Sent letter to City of Buckland with an update on site status.	Erin Gleason
11/4/2016	Update or Other Action	Spoke with ADEC village safe water. The sewer was upgraded in 2009. Contaminated soil was no encountered during the sewer upgrade.	Erin Gleason
5/13/2021	Update or Other Action	The Village of Buckland experienced significant flooding during break-up when an ice jam occurred downstream from town on the Buckland River.	Naomi Mason

Action Date

Action

Description

DEC Staff

6/21/2001

Site Added to Database

A new site has been added to the database (Date adjusted from 2/20/2009 for report/query consistency. (Reese))

Mitzi Read

6/21/2001

Update or Other Action

Shannon & Wilson conducted a site reconnaissance, funded by the Denali Commission of tanks and tank farms in the village of Buckland. During this effort, a sheen was noted on standing water. Eight locations were screened around the perimeter of the tank farm using a PID. Five locations had <1 result reported. The other three locations had 150, 300, and 550 ppm results. Analytical samples were collected from the 150 and 500 ppm locations with DRO results of 4,170 mg/kg and 2,260 mg/kg respectively. GRO and BTEX results were below most conservative Method Two criteria. The GRO was higher for the location with the higher PID result but lower DRO result, as expected.

Keather McLoone

1/25/2008

Update or Other Action

Provided copy of Shannon & Wilson AST Recon Assessment report to Mayor Ticket of Buckland who was in our offices to meet with VSW regarding a capital improvement project in Buckland.

Keather McLoone

3/3/2008

Update or Other Action

Met with Jon Menough of VSW program regarding upcoming work in Buckland. He confirmed that the water intake for the village is currently upstream from the village and that "Plan A" has it again going in upstream although an alternative plan would place it in a downstream location and he is now informed of the potential concerns regarding such a placement. The construction project will have DEC and construction oversight staff in the village very often over ~ next 3 years.

Keather McLoone

4/5/2008

Update or Other Action

New release identified.

Keather McLoone

2/20/2009

Exposure Tracking Model Ranking

Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 78710 name: Bulk ASTs (3 Gasoline and 8 Diesel)

Mitzi Read

5/21/2009

Update or Other Action

Receipt of Contaminated Soil Management Plan from Summit Consulting following discussion with Debra Addie of VSW. The ongoing water & sewer improvement project anticipates the possibility of encountering contaminated soil during the project. In addition to the more historic contamination at the site, in April 2008 an about 7,500 gallon diesel spill occurred at this location (Buckland KAE Diesel Fuel Spill - Spill No.08389909601). The response included removal of fuel to be reused, treatment of impacted snow, and contaminated soil removal. On 6/11 PERP staff indicated that sample information related to this spill would be provided to the CSP (awaiting their return from Eagle/river flood response).

Keather McLoone

7/9/2009

Update or Other Action

Receipt via email from PERP information regarding samples collected following last year's spill response at the KAE spill (The ADEC spill # is 08389909601) at this site. Samples collected on 4/21/09 showed DRO concentrations up to 250,000 mg/kg DRO. These samples were collected after the spill response and removal effort and therefore represent what was left in place. CS staff is working with VSW to collect more recent information as PERP staff has indicated that it was believed that the extent (thickness specifically) of contaminated soil remaining could be considered de minimis and that the area is likely flushed since the last samples were collected. Sampling should be conducted to confirm current conditions and extent of any contamination remaining.

Keather McLoone

7/28/2009

Update or Other Action

Figure of April 2008 sample locations received from PERP via fax to clarify information sent earlier.

Keather McLoone

8/4/2009

Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter

Letter sent to Kuskokwim Architect Engineers (KAE).

Keather McLoone

8/5/2009

Update or Other Action

Summit Consulting requested permission from Solid Waste (SW) to dispose of several supersacks of contaminated soil removed from this site at the Kotzebue Landfill. CS staff was contacted by SW to clarify analytical results obtained to date represent what was left in place rather than soil to be disposed of. Soil will be stored in supersacks until additional information can be obtained and an appropriate disposition determined. Samples should be collected to confirm concentrations of soil in supersacks if landfill disposal is to be considered further.

Keather McLoone

8/24/2009

Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program

Spill transferred by PERP staff Wesley Ghormley. Spill no. 08389909601; spill date = 4/5/08; substance = diesel; quantity = ~7,750 gallons; source = tank farm piping. Description: On April 5, 2008 while refueling equipment, the superintendent of Kuskokwim Architect Engineers (KAE) discovered a pool of diesel near the tank farm piping and reported it to ADEC. Initial reports suggested that an estimated 1,000 gallons of diesel had been released and 100 square feet of frozen wetlands had been impacted. KAE employees were instructed to hire an environmental firm to accurately conduct a site assessment and to further delineate the size of the impacted area. KAE response contractor Alaska Chadux Corporation and an ADEC representative arrived onsite on April 6, 2008. After reviewing fueling records, further site assessment, and delineation of the wetlands, the amount of fuel released was reassessed to be 7,750 gallons, and the impacted area increased to 5,850 square feet. The cause of the release was determined to be from a split fueling pipe that connected to the pump shed. KAE hired local village responders to work directly under Alaska Chadux supervision. Cleanup crews used heavy equipment and hand tools to segregate clean snow from contaminated snow. Responders removed 306 cubic yards of contaminated snow and 150 cubic yards of clean snow from the impacted area. In addition, they used a 2 inch transfer pump to recover “pockets” of fuel that accumulated under the ice. Containment berms and a boiler system were constructed in the heavy equipment shop to assist in melting the contaminated snow and to recover the spilled fuel. The melted snow was further cleaned by filtering it through an Absorb-W water treatment system before discharging it into the waste water treatment lagoon. During the response, which lasted 18 days, a total of 26,950 gallons of melted snow were treated and discharged into the lagoon. In addition, 3,100 gallons of diesel were recovered and will be used in the village for heating purposes. Another 558 cubic feet of contaminated vegetation were burned in Smart Ash burners. Twelve super sacks of contaminated soil were shipped via Northland Barge to Washington State for disposal. Earthen dikes were constructed around the impacted area and sorbent booms were deployed to assist in containing fuel sheens and fuel that may have become mobile in the area during annual spring flooding. During the floods ADEC stayed in daily contact with village responders, and they reported that no sheens were visible in the spill area.

Mitzi Read

9/9/2009

Exposure Tracking Model Ranking

A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 78710 Bulk ASTs (3 Gasoline and 8 Diesel).

Keather McLoone

9/23/2009

Update or Other Action

Date of last email communication with Summit Consulting Services regarding workplan for collection samples. Both supersacks that were transported to Kotzebue as well as the area that had been sampled by PERP should be sampled.

Keather McLoone

1/14/2010

Update or Other Action

Reconfirmed with Debra Addie on 1/14/2010 about location of water intake because the drinking water program maps/tools have it in an incorrect location downgradient.

Keather McLoone

6/3/2010

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

Receipt via email Sampling and Analysis Workplan for Contaminated Soils in Buckland submitted by Summit Consulting on behalf of VSW. Sampling is planned for supersacks, currently located in Kotzebue, of soil removed from the site and soil remaining in place (to determine current conditions).

Keather McLoone

7/8/2010

Update or Other Action

VSW indicated via email that Summit Consulting was preparing a cost estimate to perform the sampling covered in the recently submitted workplan.

Keather McLoone

8/10/2010

Update or Other Action

Email on this date from VSW stating they do not have funds to sample soil on site or in Kotzebue.

Keather McLoone

9/13/2011

Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved

CSP approved the transport and disposal of 14 supersacks of contaminated soil from the April 2008 fuel spill in Buckland.

Keather McLoone

2/2/2012

Update or Other Action

Received an adequate certificate of disposal for the most recent shipment of contaminated soil removed from this site.

Keather McLoone

4/10/2015

Update or Other Action

File review completed on this day; it was reported that 8,000 gallons of diesel spilled in 2008. A limited cleanup was undertaken for impacted snow and ice, maybe some soil. PERP collected 5 soil samples after the cleanup. Results indicated DRO was present above max CLs in several areas, up to maximum of 250,000 mg/kg. PERP suggested that the remaining contamination is limited in depth; however, it is relatively impossible to verify without further characterization/delineation. Also, it appears that contamination is spread over a large area, and underneath a fuel pipeline. This site needs a full site characterization.

Joshua Barsis

6/28/2016

Update or Other Action

Follow-up review; no new information.

Joshua Barsis

11/3/2016

Update or Other Action

Follow up review-no new information

Erin Gleason

11/3/2016

Update or Other Action

Sent letter to City of Buckland with an update on site status.

Erin Gleason

11/4/2016

Update or Other Action

Spoke with ADEC village safe water. The sewer was upgraded in 2009. Contaminated soil was no encountered during the sewer upgrade.

Erin Gleason

5/13/2021

Update or Other Action

The Village of Buckland experienced significant flooding during break-up when an ice jam occurred downstream from town on the Buckland River.

Naomi Mason

Contaminant Information

Name

Level Description

Media

Comments

Control Type

Type

Details

Requirements

Description

Details

Settlement Agreement

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

Site Report: Buckland IRA Fuel Depot

Site Chronology

IC / Closure Details

Documents

Associated Sites

Problems/Comments

Action Information

Contaminant Information

Control Type

Requirements

Settlement Agreement

Missing Location Data

State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation