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Site Report: Granite Mountain AFS SS019

Site Name: Granite Mountain AFS SS019
Address: ~30 Miles N of Koyuk, Koyuk, AK 99753
File Number: 610.38.001
Hazard ID: 25624
Status: Cleanup Complete - Institutional Controls
Staff: Dennis Shepard, 9074512180 dennis.shepard@alaska.gov
Latitude: 65.423221
Longitude: -161.235583
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 SS019 (also known as Disposal Area D; AOC04) is a landfill or former disposal and storage area situated along the main access road to the Upper Camp that was used to store uncontaminated debris from the AF cleanup of disposal areas A, B, and C in 1980, 1983, and 1985. This disposal area appears to be relatively recent, as evidenced by the uniform, fine grained cover material observed at the site. Due to the porous nature of this cover material – angular crushed granite rock approximately the size of coarse sand to pea gravel – surface runoff is poorly controlled. In 1999, surface runoff seeping into the cover material was observed up gradient of the site. Subsurface flow re-emerged in the middle of the site where several sinkholes had formed. Below this seep area, surface runoff had eroded numerous channels into the cover. The condition of the site has not appeared to deteriorate further since that observation but will be monitored for further erosion. No petroleum or hazardous substances were found at concentrations above applicable cleanup levels, Site SS019 requires no further action under state law and will be designated Cleanup Complete. However, the presence of solid waste has been documented at this site, warrants that ICs will be put in place, to document the location and boundaries of the disposal site and limit future activities that could expose buried wastes or cause the potential spread of contaminants, or placement of solid waste in environmentally sensitive areas.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
3/11/2011 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
6/6/2014 Update or Other Action 1994 PA/SI – No visible soil staining was noted, but numerous subsurface water seeps were observed. Disturbed soil of roughly 175ft by 280ft was documented. Surface soil samples were collected an analysis yielded concentration of DRO at 143 mg/kg, anthracene at 0.577 mg/kg, and lead at 290 mg/kg. Anna Iverson
6/6/2014 Update or Other Action 1999 RI – 2 test pits were excavated and 1 monitoring well was installed. Surface seep water and soil samples were collected to determine if past storage and disposal activates had created a potential source of contamination and if leaching of any contaminants had occurred. Additional soil, surface water, and groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for GRO, DRO, RRO, metals, pesticides, PCBs, VOCs, and SVOCs. The soil samples associated with surface seeps were analyzed for GRO, DRO, RRO, metals, pesticides, PCBs, and SVOCs. Arsenic was detected in soil samples up to 16.2 mg/kg, which exceed ADEC cleanup levels, but is consistent with regional concentrations. Beryllium was also detected above the ADEC soil cleanup standards, but within the site and regional background concentrations. The pesticide 4, 4’-DDT was detected in soil samples below the ADEC Method Two criterion of 7.3 mg/kg. The surface seep water samples and groundwater sample contained trace levels of DRO below regulatory limits. The groundwater sample additionally contained 1, 4-dichlorobenzene below the ADEC cleanup level of 0.6 mg/L. Anna Iverson
6/6/2014 Update or Other Action 2011 Decision Document - No petroleum or hazardous substances were found at concentrations above applicable cleanup levels, Site SS019 requires no further action under state law and will be designated Cleanup Complete. However, the presence of solid waste has been documented at this site. Removal of solid waste at the site would cost an estimated $12 million and is not warranted. ICs will be put in place to document the location and boundaries of the disposal site and limit future activities that could expose buried wastes or cause the potential spread of contaminants, or placement of solid waste in environmentally sensitive areas. Anna Iverson
6/12/2014 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79056 name: Granite Mountain AFS SS019. All pathways are incomplete or De Minimis. Anna Iverson
7/18/2014 Institutional Control Record Established Institutional Controls established and entered into the database. Eric Breitenberger
7/18/2014 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued The Granite Mountain Decision Document applies institutional controls to this site, restricting excavation or movement of solid waste. ICs are documented in the 611th CES Land Use Control Management Plan. The Decision Document was approved by DEC on January 10, 2011. Eric Breitenberger
5/18/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided comments for the Draft Final Work Plan, Long Term Management at Granite Mountain Radio Relay Station, Alaska Dated May 2023. The Work Plan presents the approach and procedures for long-term management (LTM) at the Granite Mountain Radio Relay Station. The purpose of the LTM project is to conduct institutional control (IC) inspections, a landfill cover inspection at Site OT001, and sign maintenance, as needed, for the following sites to maintain compliance with U.S. Air Force (USAF) and regulatory requirements: DA020, DA021, DP009, DP010, LF002, OT001, SS016, SS017 and SS019. Dennis Shepard
8/15/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided approval for the Final Work Plan, Long Term Management at Granite Mountain Radio Relay Station, Alaska Dated June 2023. The work plan presents the approach and procedures for long-term management (LTM) at the Granite Mountain Radio Relay Station. The purpose of this LTM project is to conduct institutional control (IC) inspections, a landfill cover inspection at Site OT001, and sign maintenance, as needed, for the following sites to maintain compliance with U.S. Air Force (USAF) and regulatory requirements: DA020, DA021, DP009, DP010, LF002, OT001, SS016, SS017 and SS019. Dennis Shepard
3/15/2024 Long Term Monitoring Workplan or Report Review DEC provided comments for the 2023 Long-Term Management Report Granite Mountain Radio Relay Station Sites DA020, DA021, DP009, LF002, OT001, SS016, SS017, and SS019 (dated February 2024). Visual inspections were conducted at the Lower Camp Area sites (DA021 and DP010) on July 5, 2023 and at Upper Camp Area sites (DA020, DP009, LF002, OT001, SS016, SS017, and SS019) on September 16, 2023. Landfill caps and other surface coverings were found to be in good condition. Institutional Control (IC) signage was inspected and signs were repaired and/or replaced as needed with the exception of site DA021 which was recommended for repairs at the next LTM inspection in 2028. Brian Watts
3/19/2024 Institutional Control Update DNR-SAIL added as affiliate (Office of Primary Responsibility). Jennifer McGrath
7/5/2024 Long Term Monitoring Workplan or Report Review DEC provided responses to comments for the 2023 Long-Term Management Report Granite Mountain Radio Relay Station Sites DA020, DA021, DP009, LF002, OT001, SS016, SS017, and SS019 (dated May 2024). The report describes long-term management activities completed July 5 and September 16, 2023. All comments were accepted, pending a final comment backcheck to the requested final report. Brian Watts
8/20/2024 Long Term Monitoring Workplan or Report Review DEC provided approval for the Final 2023 Long-Term Management Report Granite Mountain Radio Relay Station Sites DA020, DA021, DP009, LF002, OT001, SS016, SS017, and SS019 (dated August 2024) to the U.S. Air Force. Activities consisted of a visual inspection, sign repair or replacement, and photo documentation of each site. The only institutional control/land-use control recommendation was to install an institutional control sign at DA021 during the long-term monitoring work planned for 2028. Erica Blake

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details
Institutional Control Management Plan Included in 611th CES LUC Management Plan

Requirements

Description Details
Excavation / Soil Movement Restrictions Restrictions on excavation or disturbance of buried solid waste to prevent the release of potential contamination or placement of solid waste in environmentally sensitive areas. Restrictions on movement of buried solid waste without prior ADEC approval.
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.

There are no documents for this site report.

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