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Site Report: Bigfoot Auto Service

Site Name: Bigfoot Auto Service
Address: 987 Haines Highway, Haines, AK 99827
File Number: 1508.38.022
Hazard ID: 25678
Status: Cleanup Complete - Institutional Controls
Staff: IC Unit, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 59.235132
Longitude: -135.466923
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

The facility owner obtained approval from the Environmental Protection Agency Underground Injection Control (EPA UIC) Program for a work plan to decommission a Class 5 shop drain injection well treatment and discharge system installed on the property in the 1980s. Site Assessment discovered petroleum contamination in subsurface soil. The owner reported the release to DEC and hired an environmental consultant to perform a site investigation. Excavation revealed the drain field had limited contamination and the oil water separator (OWS) had failed to operate properly; fluids leaked from the piping into soil and shallow groundwater surrounding the OWS tank. DEC approved the owner’s Interim Removal Plan to decommission the drain field and OWS tank located under structures. Laboratory soil samples confirmed success in excavating all contaminated material in the drain field but results for samples from under structures showed elevated DRO levels in remaining soil. Since a private drinking water well is in use on site, a monitor well was installed to investigate groundwater for contamination. Results of testing samples from the two water wells indicate that the drinking water aquifer is not contaminated and that shallow groundwater has low levels of petroleum contamination. The stockpiled contaminated soil was moved into containers and shipped to the Rabanco treatment facility in Washington for remediation and the owner provided DEC with a final report and an interim groundwater monitoring plan. The well monitoring sample results indicate that groundwater contamination at the site is present at levels below regulatory benchmarks for each analyte with the exception of benzene. DEC concludes that DRO levels are declining and benzene levels are stable in shallow groundwater at the site. The results are a good indication that residual contamination in subsurface soil is not migrating and may attenuate by natural processes without significantly impacting clean soil and groundwater surrounding the former pollutant source.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
6/22/2011 Update or Other Action DEC provided technical support for the decommissioning of a possibly disfunctional oil water separator that may have polluted the drain field. Bruce Wanstall
6/23/2011 Update or Other Action DEC provided technical support for the decommissioning of a possibly disfunctional oil water separator that may have polluted the drain field. Bruce Wanstall
7/5/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the Interim Removal Action Work Plan by Chilkat Environmental for cleanup of the oil/water separator system and drain field release at the Bigfoot Auto Service facility in Haines. Bruce Wanstall
7/21/2011 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
8/15/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC held a discussion by telephone with Bigfoot consultant Chilkoot to discuss current observations after the weekend excavation activity for changes in soil sample locations and the analyte list for laboratory analysis in the work plan in order to improve evaluation of petroleum contamination exposure pathways to the on-site potable water well. Bruce Wanstall
10/3/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Evaluate the August laboratory report from FB Inc to characterize contaminated soil in the OWS drain field south of the building. The data meet Contaminated Sites Program quality assurance criteria and the approved site work plan and are approved in accordance with 18 AAC 75.355. In accordance with 18 ACC 75.360 (4), the transport of petroleum contaminated soil for remedial treatment at an off-site commercial facility is consistent with waste management in the DEC approved site-specific Cleanup Plan for the subsurface release at the referenced facility. DEC acknowledges that the site cleanup was conducted and supervised by a qualified person and the approved plan was submitted and approved before work began. Bruce Wanstall
11/2/2011 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter DEC letter provides approval with comment on Bigfoot Auto Class 5 Injection Well Closure Phase 2 Interim Removal Report (Report) dated August 2011 and in accordance with Alaska Statute 46.08.070 the letter provides Notice of Potential Responsible Party to Paul Nelson, President and owner/operator of Bigfoot Auto Service. Chilkat Environmental Incorporated completed the Report for Bigfoot Auto at the request of DEC in order to document progress made in the removal of soil contamination at the referenced site located at 987 Haines Highway in Haines, Alaska. The Report presents laboratory data obtained in accordance with a soil sampling plan approved by the DEC to characterize subsurface soil in the drain field system connected to an underground oil water separator device connected to floor drains in the vehicle repair shop. In accordance with 18 Alaska Administrative Code (AAC) 75.355 (b), qualified person(s) used data collection and field screening methods consistent with DEC methodology in the approved DEC site characterization and cleanup work plan. The data meet field and laboratory report quality assurance criteria in Contaminated Sites Program guidance documents, therefore the Report is approved in accordance with 18 AAC 75.335(d). Bruce Wanstall
11/18/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC called on Joiner Engineering to discuss the laboratory results for the well water samples. Then called on Bigfoot Auto owner Paul Nelson to discuss the water test results and request that he make arrangements this winter to have the oil/water separator system closure soil data and the well water data be compiled into a final report with recommendation to sample the well again in the spring for a short analyte list. DEC explained that the State will request Bigfoot begin making payments for CS project management costs. Paul agreed to these requests and will continue the open communication that has made this a speedy and effective cleanup process. Bruce Wanstall
10/2/2012 Update or Other Action DEC received, by electronic mail, copy of a letter from the EPA Underground Injection Well (UIC) Program to the responsible party Paul Nelson of Bigfoot Auto Service Inc providing notice of case closure regarding the Class V Injection Well and drainfield that received fluids collected through a floor drain in the automotive shop and fluids from a hand washing sink and washing machine in the shop. The fluids were routed through an oil/water separator prior to disposal in the drainfield. The UIC program understands that Bigfoot Auto Service is continuing to work with DEC Contaminated Sites Program to complete the required cleanup activities for this site. If additional information becomes available indicating that the injection well closure activities at this site were inadequate, Bigfoot Auto Service is required to provide the additional information to the EPA and further efforts may be required in the future. Bruce Wanstall
9/16/2013 Institutional Control Record Established Institutional Controls established and entered into the database. Bruce Wanstall
9/16/2013 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued DEC has reviewed and approved the site cleanup as protective of human health, safety, welfare and the environment, subject to institutional controls on the property. Intitutional Controls are established to ensure contamination left onsite remains undisturbed unless a cleanup effort is initiated with the prior approval from DEC. Unless new information becomes available indicating to DEC that the site may pose an unacceptable risk to human health, safety, welfare or the environment, no further cleanup is necessary at this site . Bruce Wanstall
10/9/2013 Update or Other Action DEC received from Bigfoot Auto a signed copy of the cleanup complete with institutional controls agreement page. A copy is attached to the site record. Bruce Wanstall
10/21/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed the monitoring well closure plan. The plan is consistent with department guidance; approval without comment was sent today to Paul Nelson by electronic mail. Bruce Wanstall
12/12/2013 Update or Other Action Bigfoot Auto has decommissioned the on-site monitor well in accordance with CS Guidance. No further remedial actions are required as long as the standard conditions stated in the closure determination letter are met. Bruce Wanstall
4/23/2014 Lien Recorded CERTIFICATE OF LIEN FOR STATE EXPENDITURES FOR OIL OR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE SPILL UNDER AS 46.08.075 - Location of Spill / Contamination: Bigfoot Auto Service, Inc., P.O. Box 150, Bigfoot Auto Service, Haines AK AGO No. JU2012200851 Haines, AK 99827 STATEMENT AND CLAIM OF LIEN: This document is filed in accordance with the provision of Alaska Statutes 46.08.075, and by virtue of its recordation, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the State of Alaska, GRANTEE has a lien against all property, real or personal, belonging to Bigfoot Auto Service, Inc., GRANTOR, within the Haines Recording District, First Judicial District, State of Alaska, including but not limited to the following real property: Parcel One - USS 735, TL 1-1, 987 Haines Highway. This lien is to secure payment of expenditures, plus interest on said expenditures, by the State for the costs of response, containment, removal, or remedial action resulting from an oil or hazardous substance spill, or from the substantial threat of such a release, at the Bigfoot Auto Service facility located at 987 Haines Highway Cutoff, Haines, AK, 99827. Pursuant to AS 46.08.075(b)(I), Paul Nelson is identified as a person known to have caused a release of hazardous substances at and from the Bigfoot Auto Service property. AMOUNT OF INDEBTEDNESS SECURED BY THE LIEN: This lien secures indebtedness in the amount of: $5,028.88 (not including interest and as yet unpaid costs). Interest will accrue on the above expenditures at the maximum rate allowable under AS 09.30.070, from the date of expenditure. The amount due is expected to change as expenditures and payments are made. Additional Certificates of Lien may be filed from time to time as additional expenditures are made or as payments are made. Kristin Thompson
10/9/2014 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC compliance review conducted and staff changed from Bruce Wanstall to IC Unit. The groundwater well decommissioning requirement was removed during this review, as the well had been decommissioned in accordance with DEC guidance on 12/12/2013. Reminder system set to follow-up with the responsible party in 2018 on current land use conditions. Kristin Thompson
6/21/2018 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC compliance review conducted. ICs Verification letter issued. Reminder system set to follow-up every five years. Kristin Thompson
5/28/2024 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC compliance review completed on this date. An IC reminder letter was mailed to the landowner. The next review will be in five years’ time. Gaige Robinson

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
DRO > Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Analyte levels that were detected in a soil sample collected from remaining soil under the foundation of the OWS building.
Benzene Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Analyte levels that were detected in a soil sample collected from remaining soil under the foundation of the OWS building.
Tetrachloroethene Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Analyte levels that were detected in a soil sample collected from remaining soil under the foundation of the OWS building.
Benzene > Table C Groundwater Benzene levels in samples from the shallow well remained relatively stable for three annual sampling events from 2011 to 2013
DRO < Table C Groundwater DRO levels above 1.5mg/L in 2011 attentuated below that in 2013

Control Type

Type Details
Signed CS Determination The property is subject to conditions in order to ensure contamination left onsite remains undisturbed unless a cleanup effort is initiated with the prior approval from DEC.

Requirements

Description Details
Periodic Review Bigfoot Auto Service shall report every 5 years to document land use, or report as soon as Bigfoot Auto Service becomes aware of any change in land ownership and/or use, if earlier to the local DEC office or electronically to DEC.ICUnit@alaska.gov.
When Contaminated Soil is Accessible, Remediation Should Occur Sub-surface soil contamination is located behind the main shop building under a shed. When the building is removed and/or the soil becomes accessible, the soil must be evaluated and contamination addressed in accordance with a DEC approved work plan before any work begins.
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site. Standard condition.
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) Standard condition.
Groundwater Use Restrictions Installation of any new groundwater wells requires ADEC approval.
Hazard ID Site Name File Number
24495 Bigfoot Auto Service Incorporated 1508.26.001

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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