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Site Report: NPS Bering Land Bridge - Serpentine Hot Springs

Site Name: NPS Bering Land Bridge - Serpentine Hot Springs
Address: NPS Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Northern Portion of Seward Peninsula; ~30 Miles SE of Shishmaref, Shishmaref, AK 99772
File Number: 530.38.003
Hazard ID: 25888
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 65.851782
Longitude: -164.698918
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 National Park Service replaced aboveground fuel tanks at five shelter cabins and one visitor cabin in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. During replacement activities, soil samples were collected from underneath the existing fuel tanks for GRO, DRO, BTEX, and PAHs. Based on the site assessments performed in 2012, the Serpentine Hot Springs Cabin had two tanks (the east tank and the west tank). Sample results showed diesel above the migration to groundwater cleanup level at both locations. The water table at this site is 6 inches below the ground surface at this site. Free product was visible on the water table at the excavations under both tanks. The Goodhope Cabin had evidence of a release, and approximately 1 cubic yard of diesel contaminated soil was treated with fertilizer and encapsulated in visqueen. Analytical and field screening results indicate there is contamination remaining in place. This cabin will be tracked as a separate site: File Number: 530.38.004 Hazard ID: 25962 At the Cottonwood Cabin, the existing fuel tank had been overturned by a bear a 10-foot by 10-foot area devoid of vegetation was observed. Analytical samples from this area had results above the ingestion and inhalation cleanup levels. The top 8 inches of soil were aerated and fertilizer was added to promote biodegradation and plant growth. This cabin will be tracked as a separate site: File Number: 530.38.005 Hazard ID: 25963 The Nuluk and Grayling Creek Cabins had no signs of petroleum impacts. The Ear Mountain Cabin had evidence of petroleum impacts, however it was determined to be de minimus and no additional action is needed. Locations provided in Draft 6/8/12 Remote Cabin Site Assessment report are as follows (datum not provided): Nuluk: 65 53' 37'' N, 166 46' 23'' W; Ear Mountain: 65 57' 33'' N, 166 07' 49'' W; Grayling Creek: 66 02' 16'' N, 165 00' 49'' W; Goodhope: 66 01' 18'' N, 163 55' 46'' W; Cottonwood: 65 47' 38'' N, 163 36' 41'' W; Serpentine Hot Springs: 65 51' 25'' N, 164 42' 35'' W (updated location for Serpentine Hot Springs collected on 6/29/12 using Google Earth Pro = 65.851782, -164.698918 and verified on aerial photo).

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
6/29/2012 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
7/18/2012 Site Characterization Workplan Approved The NPS is replacing the existing fuel tanks at the Nuluk, Ear Mountain, Grayling Creek, Goodhope, and Cottonwood cabins, which serve as shelter cabins for stranded travelers, and the Serpentine Hot Springs cabin, which serves as a visitor cabin year round. To determine if fuel contamination is present at the cabins, the soil beneath each fuel tank will be sampled and analyzed for gasoline and residual range organics, and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes. Samples from the Cottonwood and Serpentine Hot Springs cabins will also be analyzed for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. Melody Debenham
12/28/2012 Site Characterization Report Approved Approved the final site assessment report for 6 remote cabins in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. The National Park Service (NPS) replaced the existing above ground heating oil tanks at the Nuluk, Ear Mountain, Grayling Creek, Goodhope, Cottonwood, and Serpentine Hot Springs Cabins. The Serpentine Hot Springs Cabin had two tanks (the east tank and the west tank). Sample results showed diesel above the migration to groundwater cleanup level at both locations. The water table at this site is 6 inches below the ground surface at this site. Free product was visible on the water table at the excavations under both tanks. The Goodhope Cabins had evidence of a release, and approximately 1 cubic yard of diesel contaminated soil was treated with fertilizer and encapsulated in visqueen. Analytical and field screening results indicate there is additional contamination remaining in place. At the Cottonwood Cabin the existing fuel tank had been overturned by a bear a 10-foot by 10-foot area devoid of vegetation was observed. Analytical samples from this area had results above the ingestion and inhalation cleanup levels. The top 8 inches of soil were aerated and fertilizer was added to promote biodegradation and plant growth. The Nuluk and Grayling Creek Cabins did not have any signs of contamination associated with the heating oil tanks. The Ear Mountain Cabin had evidence of a release, however it was determined to be de minimus and no further action is needed. Melody Debenham
1/2/2013 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79382 name: Above Ground Storage Tank Melody Debenham
9/3/2013 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Approved the final work plan describing removal of petroleum-impacted soil related to releases from heating oil tanks at the site from underneath the floorboards of the bunkhouse. In addition, impacts to soil and surface water will be assessed by collecting soil samples from test pits on the north and south sides of the bunkhouse and collecting pore water samples at the stream on the south side of the bunkhouse, and at the closest point of the hot pool to the bunkhouse. Soil samples will be analyzed for gasoline and diesel range organics (GRO and DRO) and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). A limited number of soil samples will also be analyzed for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Pore water samples will be analyzed for BTEX and PAHs. Melody Debenham
4/18/2014 Site Characterization Report Approved Approved final Report for Serpentine Hot Springs Site Assessment 2013. Petroleum contaminated soil was excavated from beneath the two former heating oil tank locations. Sample results from the limits of the excavation are below cleanup levels. Pore water sample results are below cleanup levels. The floorboards of the bunkhouse near the stoves was removed and the soil underneath inspected. No evidence of contamination was observed. Melody Debenham
9/30/2014 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Potentially responsible party letter sent to the National Park Service. Melody Debenham
8/20/2015 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved final Serpentine Hot Springs Site Monitoring work plan for pore-water sampling at Serpentine Hot Springs. Melody Debenham
12/16/2015 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved Final Report for Serpentine Hot Springs Site Monitoring 2015. Report documents pore water sampling along the stream on the southwest side of the bunkhouse and at the hot pool. All results were below water quality standards. Melody Debenham
12/16/2015 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 79382 Above Ground Storage Tank. Melody Debenham
2/16/2017 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued Melody Debenham

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
DRO < 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.
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)
Hazard ID Site Name File Number
25962 NPS Bering Land Bridge - Goodhope Cabin 530.38.004
25963 NPS Bering Land Bridge - Cottonwood Cabin 530.38.005

Missing Location Data

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