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Site Report: Crowley Tank Farm Iliamna Airport

Site Name: Crowley Tank Farm Iliamna Airport
Address: Lot 2A, Block 1200 Iliamna Airport, Iliamna, AK 99606
File Number: 2560.38.012
Hazard ID: 25528
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 59.754360
Longitude: -154.906312
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

December 16, 2009 at 09:35 AM ADEC was notified that an aviation gas spill occurred from a fuel tanker truck parked at the Crowley tank farm (Lot 2A, Block 1200) at the Iliamna airport between November 18, 2009 and December 15, 2009. The spill was not discovered until December 15, 2009 and the last time Crowley fueled the tanker truck was November 18, 2009. The tank was identified as carrying 1,507 gallons of aviation fuel of which the entire contents was released to the ground. The product that spilled was identified as 100 low lead aviation fuel with toluene as an octane booster added to the fuel. The tank truck fuel line has a 90 degree elbow where Crowley drains water from the line. Water within the fuel line was not properly drained during the extreme cold temperatures, causing fuel line to split open on the tank truck. The spill caused a 5 ft by 14 ft stain in the soil in the shape of an hour glass. It had been almost one-month before the leak was noticed. The nearest drinking water wells are reported to be 250-300 feet east of the spill site at Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) garage. DOT's well is at a depth of 148ft, 6” casing and cased to 60.4 feet with open hole in fractured bedrock below that depth. Ground formation is as follows: 0-30ft sand & gravel, 30-50ft fine brown sand, & 50 – 148 ft rock. Iliamna is located northwest side of Alaska’s largest lake, "Lake Iliamna" (90 miles long and 22 miles wide). The area is home to some of the world’s largest caribou herds, salmon, trout, and numerous wildlife species. Most residents support themselves by subsistence hunting, seasonal fishing, and sport fishing lodges. There is no residential housing in the immediate vicinity of the spill but there are several businesses located in the area.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
2/17/2010 Update or Other Action On this date, ADEC received Illiamna Fuel Release Response Report submitted by Oasis and dated February 17, 2010. Contaminated soil, indicated by field screening and observations, was excavated and stockpiled onsite. Sixty-five cubic yards of contaminated soil was removed to a maximum depth of 2.5 feet bgs. Eight confirmation soil samples collected contained gasoline range organics (GRO) up to 5,500 mg/kg, diesel range organics (DRO) up to 666 mg/kg, ethylbenzene up to 4.76 mg/kg, xylenes up to 61.6 mg/kg, naphthalene up to 0.753 mg/kg, and toluene up to 916 mg/kg. The contaminated soil excavation was limited horizontally by the tank farm fence located to the east and vertically by a buried electrical cable directly beneath the impacted area. After collection of confirmation soil samples the excavations were brought to grade with clean fill. The contaminated soil was stockpiled onsite south of the tank farm and covered. A footprint sampled from the stockpile area contained DRO at 1,010 mg/kg. Stockpile characterization samples contained toluene up to 17.6 mg/kg. Grant Lidren
6/14/2010 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Assigned PERP staff = Mark Sielaff; spill no. 09269934901; spill date = 12/15/09; substance = 100 Low Level Aviation Gasoline with Toluene as an Octane Booster; quantity = 1,507 gallons. Mitzi Read
6/22/2010 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
6/25/2010 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 78904 name: Tanker Truck - 1,507 Gallons Low-Lead Aviation Fuel w/Toluene Grant Lidren
8/10/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other On this date, ADEC received Iliamna Tank Farm Groundwater Characterization Work Plan, submitted by Oasis, dated August 9, 2010. The work includes: advancing and sampling four soil borings, which will be completed as groundwater monitoring wells; sampling drinking water from the DOT well located 400 feet to the east as well as from up to two additional drinking water wells; sampling the unknown historic stockpile; and moving and sampling the 2009, 65 cubic yard stockpile, into a land farm treatment area located within the fence, east of the tank farm . Depth to groundwater is assumed to be encountered at 10 feet bgs. Grant Lidren
1/27/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other On this date, ADEC received Iliamna Tank Farm Groundwater Characterization Report, submitted by Oasis, dated December 3, 2010. The work included identifying and sampling up to three drinking water wells and advancing/sampling four soil borings completed as monitoring wells. The four soil borings were advanced 14 ft. to 15 ft. bgs and completed as monitoring wells MW-1 through MW-4. Thirteen soil samples, and one duplicate, were collected from: the GW interface; high PID readings; and from the bottom of each boring. SB-2, which is located at the center of the site, contained a strong HC odor @ 2.5 ft. bgs and a HC odor at 10 ft. bgs. Soil samples collected from SB-4 contained GRO up to 794 mg/kg and benzene up to 14.6 mg/kg, Soil samples collected from SB-2 contained GRO up to 719 mg/kg, DRO up to 2,220 mg/kg, benzene up to 6.56 mg/kg, ethylbenzene up to 6.32 mg/kg, toluene up to 48.7 mg/kg, xylenes up to 19.9 mg/kg, 1-methylnaphthalene up to 4.41 mg/kg, 2-methylnaphthalene up to 5.59 mg/kg and naphthalene up to 5.27 mg/kg. Soil samples collected from SB-1 and SB-3 were ND. Groundwater was encountered 3.92 to 5.8 ft. bgs and appeared to flow east. A groundwater sample collected from MW-2 contained GRO at 4.24 mg/L, benzene at 0.00757 mg/L, ethylbenzene at 0.0208 mg/L, toluene at 1.6 mg/L and naphthalene at 0.00507 mg/L. MW-1, MW-3 and MW-4 contained detectable concentrations of contaminants, but below ADEC cleanup levels. None of the MWs contained detectable levels of PAHs above cleanup levels. The three DWWs sampled, two Pebble DWWs located north and south of the site and one DOT well located 400 feet to the east, were ND. Reportedly, only the DOT well is currently in use. Note: Other activities complete during this effort, which included sampling of the unknown historic stockpile and moving and sampling the 2009 stockpile, are detailed in a separate 2011 Report (see action date 10/6/11). Grant Lidren
3/23/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC reviewed and approved (pending comments) the 2011 Routine GW Monitoring Work Plan Crowley Iliamna Tank Farm. MWs will be analyzed Quarterly in March 2011, June 2011, September 2011, and December 2011 Grant Lidren
6/3/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC received Iliamna Tank Farm Additional Groundwater Characterization Work Plan submitted by Oasis, dated May 17, 2011. Six soil borings will be advanced and completed as temporary well points. Based off observations from the six soil borings/wellpoints, three additional soil borings will be advanced and completed as permanent monitoring wells. Two soil samples will be collected from each boring; one from the groundwater interface and one based off screening levels. Groundwater will be analyzed from all new and existing MWs. Grant Lidren
6/15/2011 Site Characterization Report Approved ADEC received the Iliamna Tank Farm Additional Groundwater Characterization Report submitted by Oasis, dated January 22, 2012 (note: this work was complete during the June 2011 Quarterly GW monitoring event). Eight soil borings were drilled to a depth of 10 to 14 feet bgs, down gradient of the TF to the south-southeast. Two of those borings were completed as monitoring wells MW5 and MW6. The location of the soil borings was limited by a recently constructed FAA building located down gradient to the south. Two soil samples collected at a depth of 2 to 8 feet bgs from each boring as well as a total of two duplicates contained GRO up to 480 mg/kg, DRO up to 1,500 mg/kg, benzene up to 0.27 mg/kg, toluene up to 12 mg/kg, ethylbenzene up to 0.27 mg/kg, xylenes up to 7.4 mg/kg, naphthalene up to 1.5 mg/kg, 1-methylnaphthalene up to 4.4 mg/kg, and 2-methylnaphthalene up ot 7.5 mg/kg. MW-5 and MW-6 did not contain contaminant concentrations above cleanup levels. Elevated screening levels and hydrocarbon odor was noted 3 to 7 feet bgs at TWP-1 through TWP-5. GW was encountered 3 to 6 feet bgs. Three of the six temporary well points contained groundwater contamination above ADEC cleanup levels. Groundwater samples collected from TWP-2, TWP-3, and TWP-6 contained GRO up to 23 mg/L, DRO up to 4.9 mg/L, benzene up to 0.0054 mg/L, toluene up to 10 mg/L, ethylbenzene up to 0.23 mg/L, naphthalene up to 0.20 mg/L. A hydrocarbon odor was noted in TWP-2, TWP-3, and TWP-5. The data suggests the GW has not been fully delineated to the southeast. Grant Lidren
7/29/2011 Site Characterization Report Approved On this date, ADEC received the 2011 Quarterly Groundwater Monitoring in March 2011; Illiamna Tank Farm submitted by Oasis and dated May 11, 2011. The GW elevation averaged 5.2 ft. deeper than observed in August 2010 and appeared to flow east-southeast. Out of the four MWs sampled: MW-1, MW-2, MW-3, and MW-4; only MW-2 contained contamination above ADEC cleanup levels with GRO at 4.6 mg/L. An Additional water sample collected from the downgradient DOT drinking water well was non-detect. (Note: the 3511 extraction method for AK102/ AK103 used for this investigation was not approved by ADEC. The 3511 extraction method is conducted on 40 ml vials instead of the ADEC required 1L amber jars. The AK102/103 data produced by this unapproved extraction method should be considered qualified for this project.) Grant Lidren
10/6/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other On this date, ADEC received the [September 2010] Soil Stockpiles, Iliamna Tank Farm Site submitted by Oasis, dated August 23, 2011. In Three soil samples collected from the historic unknown stockpile located north of the TF, contained DRO up to 454 mg/kg. ADEC approved transport of this 17 cubic yard stockpile to the landfill where it was used as landfill cover. The current 65 cubic yard stockpile from the 2009 Avgas fuel tanker spill was then moved to the onsite landfarm area and spread. Three Soil samples collected from the landspread soil contained DRO up to 492 mg/kg. Prior to spreading of stockpile, three footprint samples collected contained detectable levels of contaminants, but below cleanup levels. The landspread area is 30 feet by 50 feet by 18 inches deep. Grant Lidren
10/6/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other On this date, ADEC received the June 2011 Quarterly GW Monitoring Iliamna TF submitted by Oasis, dated August 8, 2011. GW was encountered at an average depth of 6.35 feet bgs flowing east –southeast. Seven GW samples were collected from the six onsite monitoring wells. All of the MWs had detects for petroleum constituents except MW-1, which was ND. Only MW-2 contained HC odor and contamination above ADEC cleanup levels with DRO up to 2.4 mg/L (note: the DRO, RRO, and PAH data is considered a low bias estimate; it was analyzed outside of holding time). Grant Lidren
6/6/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other On this date, ADEC received the Oasis Report titled, “September 2011 Quarterly Groundwater Monitoring; Iliamna Tank Farm, Iliamna, Alaska; ADEC File Number 2560.38.012; ADEC Hazard ID Number 25528.” The Report was submitted by Weston and dated December 20, 2011. Seven GW samples were collected from the six onsite monitoring wells. All of the MWs had detects for petroleum constituents. MW-2, which has historically contained concentrations above cleanup levels, contained a moderate HC odor but was below cleanup levels. MW-4 contained GRO at 6 mg/L and toluene at 2.3 mg/L. MW-5 contained GRO at 2.3 mg/L. These two MWs have historically contained concentrations below cleanup levels. During the September 2011 sampling event, groundwater elevations averaged 1.4 feet higher than observed in June 2011 and 4.68 feet higher than observed in March 2011. Average depth of groundwater in wells measured in September was about 4.99 feet bgs. Grant Lidren
6/26/2012 Site Characterization Workplan Approved On this date, ADEC received the “ILIAMNA TANK FARM 2012 ADDITIONAL GROUNDWATER CHARACTERIZATION WORK PLAN” submitted by Weston dated June 26, 2012. Eight soil borings will be advanced and completed as monitoring wells. Two soil samples will be collected from each boring; one at the GW interface and one at the highest PID level. Groundwater samples will be collected from the eight new permanent MWs and from the six historic MWs. Groundwater and soil samples will be analyzed for DRO, GRO, RRO, and BTEX. Three pressure transducers will be installed to characterize seasonal GW flow direction. Mammoth consulting will survey the elevations of the 8 new MWs and resurvey the elevations of the six historic MWs. Additionally, three temporary MWs may be installed to identify the west boundary of the GW plume. Grant Lidren
4/1/2013 Update or Other Action On this date, ADEC received the “2012 GROUNDWATER MONITORING AND ADDITIONAL CHARACTERIZATION REPORT” submitted by Weston dated March 29, 2013. Ten soil borings were advanced. During the 10 bore hole installations in July 2012, two soil samples were collected from each boring; one at the GW interface and one at the highest PID level. Twenty-two soil samples collected did not contain contaminants above cleanup levels (note,however, the PQL level for benzene was elevated just above cleanup levels) except for samples collected from SB-08 and SB-09. These samples, collected 6 ft. bgs at the GW interface, contained DRO up to 844 mg/kg. Eight of the borings were completed as permanent monitoring wells (MW-7 through MW-14) and two were completed as temporary well points (SP-1 and SP-2).These new MWs plus the historic MWs (MW-1 to MW-6) ,sampled in July 2012. During the July GW sampling event, MWs: SP-01, MW-2, and MW-6 contained benzene up to 0.191 mg/L. The permanent monitoring wells were sampled again in October 2012 except for MW-8 and MW-12 due to ice. During the October sampling event, MW-5 and MW-6 contained benzene up to 0.0139 and MW-7 contained RRO at 1.1 mg/L. No other MWs contained contaminants above cleanup levels for both the October and July sampling events, however the RRO PQL level was elevated above cleanup levels for multiple MWs. During GW sampling, an HC odor was noted in MW-2, MW-4, and MW-10. GW was encountered at 4.74 ft. bgs in July and 3.76 ft. bgs in October. GW appeared to flow to the southeast. Grant Lidren
5/8/2013 Site Characterization Workplan Approved On this date, ADEC received the 2013 Groundwater Monitoring Work Plan; Iliamna Tank Farm; submitted by Weston and dated May 3, 2013. MWs: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, and 14 will be analyzed for GRO, DRO, RRO, and BTEX. The 65 cubic yard stockpile will be transported to the Newhalen landfill and three footprint samples will be collected. Grant Lidren
7/22/2013 Site Characterization Report Approved On this date, ADEC received the 2013 Groundwater Monitoring Report for the Iliamna Tank Farm, Iliamna, Alaska; ADEC File Number: 2560.38.012 submitted by Weston dated July 22, 2013. MWs: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, and 14; analyzed for GRO, DRO, RRO, and BTEX; did not contain concentrations above ADEC Table C groundwater levels. The average depth to GW throughout the site is 4.9 feet bgs flowing to the southeast. The 65 cubic yard stockpile was transported to the Newhalen landfill and three footprint samples were collected. The soil sample results will be sent in a future report. Grant Lidren
9/23/2013 Update or Other Action On this date, ADEC received the 2013 Soil Removal and Sampling Report for the Iliamna Tank Farm submitted by Weston dated September 16, 2013. The 65 cubic yard stockpile was transported to the landfill in June 2013. Four footprint soil samples collected did not contain concentrations above ADEC cleanup levels. Grant Lidren
3/19/2014 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting held with Weston and Crowley on this date to discuss Spring field effort. Grant Lidren
6/4/2014 Site Characterization Report Approved On this date, ADEC received the “2014 Groundwater Monitoring Work Plan; Iliamna Tank Farm; Iliamna, Alaska; ADEC File Number 2560.38.012” submitted by Weston dated June 2, 2014. Monitoring wells MW-2, MW-5, MW-6, MW-10, MW-11, MW-12, and MW-13 will be analyzed for petroleum constituents. Grant Lidren
9/29/2014 Site Characterization Report Approved On this date, ADEC approved the “2014 Groundwater Monitoring Report; Iliamna Tank Farm, Iliamna, Alaska; ADEC File Number: 2560.38.012” submitted by Weston dated September 19, 2014. Monitoring wells MW-2, MW-5, MW-6, MW-10, MW-11, MW-12, and MW-13; analyzed for GRO, DRO, RRO, and BTEX; did not contain concentrations above ADEC Table C groundwater levels (note: temp blank was 8.3 C). The depth to groundwater was 2.27 to 5.43 feet bgs throughout the site. Grant Lidren
5/21/2015 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC attended meeting with CPD and Weston to discuss the 2015 field season on this date. Grant Lidren
4/7/2016 Site Characterization Report Approved On this date, ADEC approved the “July 2015 Iliamna Groundwater Monitoring and soil investigation Report; Iliamna Tank Farm, Iliamna, Alaska; ADEC File Number: 2560.38.012” submitted by Weston dated September 7, 2016. Six soil borings were advanced with two completed as monitoring wells at and adjacent to the FAA property to characterize contamination encountered in 2011 and six historic monitoring wells were sampled. Historic monitoring wells MW-2, MW-4, MW-5, MW-6, MW-12, and MW-13; analyzed for GRO, DRO, RRO, and BTEX; did not contain contaminant concentrations above ADEC Table C groundwater levels. Only one of the six soil borings/temporary well points installed downgradient on the FAA property contained DRO contamination above cleanup levels in soil and groundwater. Well point SP-02, located off the northwest corner of the FAA building, contained DRO contaminated groundwater and soil at 1.64 mg/L and 1060 mg/kg respectively. The depth to groundwater was 4.05 to 8.30 feet bgs throughout the site. Grant Lidren
8/1/2016 Site Characterization Workplan Approved The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) Contaminated Sites Program (CSP) has received and reviewed the 2016 Groundwater Monitoring Report; Iliamna Tank Farm submitted by Weston and dated July 29, 2016. ADEC has no objections to the Work Plan and Weston may proceed. Grant Lidren
1/11/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Annual groundwater sampling was conducted on August 8, 2016. Samples were collected from MW-2, MW-6, and MW-13. In addition samples were collected from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) property located downgradient of the Iliamna tank farm (SB6B), as well as the drinking water well supplying water to the ADOT buildings. GRO, DRO, and RRO was detected in MW-2, MW-6, and MW-13, and temporary groundwater point SB6B at concentrations below Table C Cleanup Levels. RRO was detected in the drinking water well sample that was collected from the main faucet in the ADOT garage area at a concentration of 0.160 mg/L. This value was reported by the lab as an estimated value. GRO, DRO, and all VOC compounds were reported as non-detect, with the exception of 4-isopropyltoluene which was reported at an estimated value of 0.330 ug/L. Chelsy Passmore
8/31/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other On this date, ADEC reviewed and approved the 2017 Iliamna Monitoring Well Abandonment Work Plan submitted by Weston dated August 25, 017. Grant Lidren
1/11/2018 Update or Other Action On this date, ADEC received the 2017 Monitoring Well Abandonment Activities Illiamna Tank Farm dated January 2018 submitted by Weston. Monitoring wells MW-1 through MW-14 were decommissioned. Grant Lidren
5/14/2021 Update or Other Action DEC discussed the need for a covenant and DOT concurrence on that covenant with Crowley. Janice Wiegers
1/24/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DNA Environmental submitted a report titled Site Characterization Confirmation Sampling and Request for Closure, dated 1/21/2022. Janice Wiegers
12/5/2022 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued DEC determined site is eligible for closure without institutional controls. Soil contamination may remain in the tank farm area and in the subsurface soil south and east of the tank farm. Groundwater monitoring has demonstrated natural attenuation of contamination to cleanup levels. Closure letter sent to Crowley and DOT. Janice Wiegers

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
Benzene Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Soil contamination may remain under the tank farm where excavation did not occur. Soil contamination was also observed between 2 and 8 ft bgs south and east of the spill. There is speculation that DRO may be related to other spills.
Toluene Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Soil contamination may remain under the tank farm where excavation did not occur. Soil contamination was also observed between 2 and 8 ft bgs south and east of the spill. There is speculation that DRO may be related to other spills.
DRO Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Soil contamination may remain under the tank farm where excavation did not occur. Soil contamination was also observed between 2 and 8 ft bgs south and east of the spill. There is speculation that DRO may be related to other spills.
GRO Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Soil contamination may remain under the tank farm where excavation did not occur. Soil contamination was also observed between 2 and 8 ft bgs south and east of the spill. There is speculation that DRO may be related to other spills.

Control Type

Type Details
No ICs Required

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)

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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