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Site Report: Eareckson Air Station MRA 689 / MRS DA002 Alcan Harbor Ordnance

Site Name: Eareckson Air Station MRA 689 / MRS DA002 Alcan Harbor Ordnance
Address: Alcan Harbor; Northwest Corner of Shemya Island, Amchitka, AK 99546
File Number: 2649.38.041, 2649.38.043
Hazard ID: 26128
Status: Active
Staff: Erica Blake, 9074512182 erica.blake@alaska.gov
Latitude: 52.726544
Longitude: 174.065414
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 Alcan Habor Ordance is the former beach landing area used during the operation of the Air Force Base during World War II. The site is located on the northwest corner of the island. Historical evidence suggests that the Alcan Harbor contains submerged jettisoned munitions. A 1983 trip report states that ordnance from Shemya was historically placed on a barge, taken to an areas north of Alacan Harbor, and sunk. Ordnance has historically been discovered washed up on the beach shore or in waters near the beach. A geophysical study was conducted on the beach, and indicated that a large amount of buried metal is present. However no MEC has been observed at the Alcan Harbon site during the time of the visual survey. The interim institutional controls for the MMRP sites need to be updated: the safety briefing upon arrival at Shemya does not include UXO awareness, the MMRP sites are not all shown on informational maps, and signs are missing from several sites.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
10/11/2013 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
6/19/2014 CERCLA RI Report Approved The ADEC Contaminated Sites Program approved the Final Desktop Remedial Investigation Report. The report concluded that no MED items were observed at this site; however there is a potential for MEC to wash up from an off shore disposal area. There has been no evidence of contaminatino associated with the MEC; therefore no sampling has been conducted and all exposure pathways are considered incomplete. A feasiblity study was recommended to determine appropriate remedial responses, based on the current and future land use. Jessica Morris
6/19/2014 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79521 name: MRA 689 / MRS DA002 Alcan Harbor Ordnance Jessica Morris
11/14/2016 Site Visit ADEC staff travelled to Eareckson Air Station for 4 days to conduct site visits and become familiar with the ecology and topography of the island. Site visits were conducted to all pertinent sites and meetings were held to with ADEC and USAF to discuss a path forward for the sites. Jessica Morris
1/12/2017 CERCLA FS The ADEC Contaminated Sites Program reviewed and submitted comments on the Draft Feasibility Study Report for Eight Munitions Response Sites. Jessica Morris
11/27/2017 Site Visit ADEC staff travelled to Eareckson Air Station for 3 days to conduct site visits and institutional control inspections. Site visits were conducted to all pertinent sites and meetings were held to with ADEC and USAF to discuss a path forward for the sites. Jessica Morris
11/28/2022 CERCLA FS on 11/28/2022 DEC approved the Final Feasibility Study Report, Alcan Harbor Ordnance Beach (MRS DA002), Alcan Harbor Ordnance Underwater (MRS DA002a), Tail Fuze Site (MRS ZZ001), Possible Munitions Storage Area – East (MRS XU912), .50 Cal Beach – Beach and Marine Area (MRS DU029a), Former Munitions Storage Area (MRS MU001), November 2022. This report presents the results of the feasibility study (FS) performed for Munitions Response Sites (MRSs) at Eareckson Air Station (AS) in Alaska. Munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) items and/or elevated levels of munitions constituents (MCs) were confirmed to be present at these MRSs and require evaluation in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980. Daniela Fawcett
11/28/2022 Update or Other Action Copy of the Approval of the Final Feasibility Study Report, Alcan Harbor Ordnance Beach (MRS DA002), Alcan Harbor Ordnance Underwater (MRS DA002a), Tail Fuze Site (MRS ZZ001), Possible Munitions Storage Area – East (MRS XU912), .50 Cal Beach – Beach and Marine Area (MRS DU029a), Former Munitions Storage Area (MRS MU001), Eareckson Air Station, Alaska, Dated November 2022 can be located under attachments for Eareckson site Alcan Harbor Ordnance Beach - MRS DA002 Daniela Fawcett
3/17/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided comments for the "Draft-Final Uniform Federal Policy for Quality Assurance Project Plan, Eareckson Fuel Pier Long-Term Repairs, Eareckson Air Station, Shemya, Alaska" (dated December 2022) to the U.S. Air Force. Project activities described in this Uniform Federal Policy-Quality Assurance Project Plan (UFP-QAPP) include excavation screening, sampling of potentially contaminated soils encountered during construction, construction of stockpiles, and offsite disposal of contaminated soils. DEC expressed concern over the communication pathways not clear on what would happen if munitions were discovered during construction activities. Erica Blake
6/27/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided comments for the Draft Final 2021 Long Term Management, Land Use and Institutional Controls Report Eareckson Air Station, Shemya, Alaska Sites CS566, DA002/DA002A, DA003, FT001, FT002, FT003, LF015, LF018, LF024, LF026, ML001, MU001, OD001, OT048, OT617, PL560, PL575, SS005, SS007, SS010, SS012, SS023, SS025, ST009, ST035, ST039, ST044, ST046, ST050, ST051, TA555, TA556, TA616, TU553, TU554, TU558, TU559, TU567, TU568, XU912, ZZ001, dated June 2023.The report describes the institutional control inspections and sampling efforts conducted during November 15 through November 30th, 2021. Forty-two different sites were investigated at the Eareckson Air Station located on Shemya Island, Alaska. Groundwater was sampled at nine sites, surface water was sampled at five sites, and sediment sampling was conducted at two sites. Contaminants above cleanup levels remain present at most sites with stable or non-discernable trends. Most land use controls appear to be in good condition and Monitoring and continued inspections were recommended for all sites. Ginna Quesada
6/30/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided approval for the Final Uniform Federal Policy for Quality Assurance Project Plan Eareckson Fuel Pier Long-Term Repairs, Eareckson Air Station, Shemya, Alaska (dated June 2023) to the U.S. Air Force. All responses to comments were accepted with the expectation the field screen and analytical sampling frequency in the DEC Field Sampling Guidance will be used instead of the tables in the document. Work described in the work plan is expected to be conducted summer 2023. Erica Blake
7/3/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC submitted responses to comments for the Draft Final 2021 Long Term Management, Land Use and Institutional Controls Report Eareckson Air Station, Shemya, Alaska Sites CS566, DA002/DA002A, DA003, FT001, FT002, FT003, LF015, LF018, LF024, LF026, ML001, MU001, OD001, OT048, OT617, PL560, PL575, SS005, SS007, SS010, SS012, SS023, SS025, ST009, ST035, ST039, ST044, ST046, ST050, ST051, TA555, TA556, TA616, TU553, TU554, TU558, TU559, TU567, TU568, XU912, ZZ001, dated June 2023. Ginna Quesada
8/2/2023 CERCLA Proposed Plan DEC provided review comments for the "Proposed Plan for Six Military Munitions Response Sites, Eareckson Air Station, Alaska, Dated May 2023" to the U.S. Air Force. The Proposed Plan discussed remedial alternatives for six Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP) sites which are: Alcan Harbor Ordnance Beach (MRS DA002), Alcan Harbor Ordnance Underwater (MRS DA002a), Tail Fuze Site (MRS ZZ001), Possible Munitions Storage Area – East (MRS XU912), .50 Cal Beach and Marine Area (MRS DU029a) and the Former Munitions Storage Area (MRS MU001). There were some discrepancies identified between the Feasibility Study and the Proposed Plan. Erica Blake
8/3/2023 Long Term Monitoring Workplan or Report Review DEC approved the "Final 2021 Long Term Management, Land Use and Institutional Controls Report Eareckson Air Station, Shemya, Alaska Sites CS566, DA002/DA002A, DA003, FT001, FT002, FT003, LF015, LF018, LF024, LF026, ML001, MU001, OD001, OT048, OT617, PL560, PL575, SS005, SS007, SS010, SS012, SS023, SS025, ST009, ST035, ST039, ST044, ST046, ST050, ST051, TA555, TA556, TA616, TU553, TU554, TU558, TU559, TU567, TU568, XU912, ZZ001, dated July 2023." The report recommends continuing with land-use control site inspections and monitoring the groundwater until all remedial objectives are met. Erica Blake
9/22/2023 CERCLA Proposed Plan DEC provided responses to comments for the "Proposed Plan for Six Military Munitions Response Sites, Eareckson Air Station, Alaska, Dated May 2023" to the U.S. Air Force. The proposed plan describes remedial alternatives and cleanup at 6 munitions response sites (MRS): Alcan Harbor Ordnance Beach (MRS DA002), Alcan Harbor Ordnance Underwater (MRS DA002a), Tail Fuze Site (MRS ZZ001), Possible Munitions Storage Area – East (MRS XU912), .50 Cal Beach and Marine Area (MRS DU029a) and the Former Munitions Storage Area (MRS MU001). Additional responses requesting clarification and response is needed before the document can be approved. Erica Blake
11/7/2023 CERCLA Proposed Plan DEC provided approval for the "Proposed Plan for Six Military Munitions Response Sites, Eareckson Air Station, Alaska, dated October 2023" to the U.S. Air Force. The Proposed Plan describes remedial alternatives for 6 munitions response sites (MRS): Alcan Harbor Ordnance Beach (MRS DA002), Alcan Harbor Ordnance Underwater (MRS DA002a), Tail Fuze Site (MRS ZZ001), Possible Munitions Storage Area – East (MRS XU912), .50 Cal Beach and Marine Area (MRS DU029a) and the Former Munitions Storage Area (MRS MU001). Erica Blake
12/27/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed changes made to the "Final Uniform Federal Policy for Quality Assurance Project Plan Eareckson Fuel Pier Long-Term Repairs, Eareckson Air Station, Shemya, Alaska." On June 30, 2023 all but two comments were accepted. The USAF updated and addressed the unresolved comments fall 2023 and provided a revised document on December 27, 2023 for DEC concurrence. DEC accepted the changes and considers the document approved. Erica Blake

Contaminant Information

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