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Site Report: Galena AFS/Airport - SS019 B1700

Site Name: Galena AFS/Airport - SS019 B1700
Address: Surrounding Building 1700 and Directly South, Galena, AK 99741
File Number: 860.38.060
Hazard ID: 26191
Status: Active
Staff: Tim Sharp, 9074512131 tim.sharp@alaska.gov
Latitude: 64.741023
Longitude: -156.956340
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

Building 1700 was constructed in 1963, and was historically used for maintaining aircraft refueling trucks (USAF, February 1964). Beginning in 1999, the building was used for boat and snowmobile storage (USAF, August 2003), and was later used for cold storage (Earth Tech, Inc., May 2007). The southern portion of the site is used for vehicle access from Engineer’s Way to the power plant (Building 1499), and driveways on the north and south ends of Building 1700 provide vehicle access to the building. Building 1700 was constructed with interior floor drains, an OWS, exhaust fans, an exterior UST, and a dry well to support maintenance activities, which involved opening and clearing fuel transfer pumps and hoses of petroleum fuels. Site SS019 was initially identified as an area of interest during the remedial investigation (RI) of the Former Galena FOL from 1992 to 1994, when elevated organic vapors were detected in soil vapor samples collected southwest of Building 1700. Real property records for Building 1700 indicate that the building included a floor drain trough, a “grease trap” with a 4-inch-diameter line to a dry well outside the building, and a 2-inch-diameter line for an “oil drain tank.” A 55-gallon underground waste oil drum (UST 1700-1) was also identified in the records for Building 1700. A 300-gallon OWS with identification number 1700-1 was installed in 1963, and was active until 1997. Although EBS records indicate that the OWS was removed, the OWS was observed to be present, but inactive, during a 2011 site visit. Beginning in 1993 through 2010, multiple site investigations of soil, groundwater, and soil vapor were conducted at Site SS019. Soil vapor samples for total organic vapors were collected at 23 sampling points at 6 to 8 feet bgs and analyzed using a portable photoionization detector (PID) and/or flame ionization detector (FID). Results suggested a previously unidentified release at the southwest corner of Building 1700. Organic vapor concentrations up to 444 parts per million by volume (ppmv) were measured, with the highest concentrations observed at the southwest corner of Building 1700. High organic vapor concentrations were also observed in the samples collected about 80 feet north (322 ppmv) and 230 feet south (269 ppmv) of Building 1700. It was concluded that the elevated PID and FID readings in this area may have been the result of fuel releases associated with the maintenance activities that occurred at Building 1700. The type of organic vapor (fuel or solvent) could not be differentiated using PID and FID results. UST1700-1 was removed in 1997. Approximately 200 gallons of water and 80 gallons of oil mixed with water were removed from the UST. The excavation was approximately 9 feet by 13 feet and was 7 feet deep. The volume of soil removed was reported to be limited to the amount necessary to remove each tank. Associated piping was removed to within 5 feet of the building. The tank was reported to be in good condition. Sampls collected beneath the former UST had concentrations of GRO (3,900 mg/kg), DRO (6,160 mg/kg), RRO (2,180 mg/kg), benzene (1.8 mg/kg), toluene (28.5 mg/kg), and total xylenes (134.1 mg/kg), 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (76.5 mg/kg), 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (26.6 mg/kg), and naphthalene (22.6 mg/kg) exceeding extent soil SLs. Samples collected south of the former UST also had concentrations of GRO (2,300 mg/kg maximum), DRO (7,040 mg/kg maximum), RRO (1,870 mg/kg maximum), benzene (2.68 mg/kg), toluene (55.8 mg/kg), and total xylenes (170 mg/kg), 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (91 mg/kg), 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (41.6 mg/kg), and naphthalene (27 mg/kg) exceeding extent soil SLs. VOCs were detected at this site in concentrations exceeding screening levels (SLs). These included primarily fuel-related VOCs but also include chlorinated VOCs. The SL exceedances occurred in soil samples collected from depths ranging from 0 to 41 feet bgs. TCE, cis-1,2-dichloroethene, and benzene concentrations exceed the SLs in the deepest samples; therefore the vertical extent of VOC contamination is not defined. The maximum TCE concentration of 1.12 J mg/kg was detected in the soil sample from SS019_GP002 (at UST 1700-1) at 10 to 12 feet bgs, and the maximum exceedance depth was for the sample at 41 feet bgs at the adjacent sample. Chlorinated VOCs, including TCE, cis-1,2-dichloroethene, and vinyl chloride are present in elevated concentrations in the samples from upgradient location SS019_GP001, at the UST (SS019_GP002), the dry well (06-MCW-03), and the downgradient monitoring wells. The presence of these COIs in the upgradient boring indicate Site SS019 has also been impacted by the contaminant plume originating at Site SS006. Concentrations of VOCs increase at the UST and dry well, indicating these are sources of chlorinated VOCs. Concentrations are highest at the south portion of Site SS019 directly downgradient of Site SS006. The plume merges with the plume from SS006 shows a high-concentration core approximately 300 feet long, with relatively steep concentration gradients along its axis, resulting in a plume approximately 920 feet long and 420 feet wide. The extent of the plume is delineated to the north, southeast, the west, and the southwest, but not in the east or southeast, north, or northeast. The highest concentrations of TCE in groundwater within the plume are located beneath the central portion of Site SS006, where concentrations up to 40,000 µg/L (SS006-MW58) were detected during 2010 and 2011. Results suggest TCE concentrations are increasing along the fringes of the Site SS006 TCE plume, particularly the downgradient end. For example, at well 06-MW-15 located approximately 200 feet south/southwest of the Site SS006 boundary (see Figure 34), TCE concentrations in Groundwater have increased from 93.6 µg/L in 2004 to 578 µg/L in fall 2011. A Final version of a Remedial Investigation of SS019 was submitted to the DEC on September 25, 2013. They concluded that at Site SS019, concentrations of GRO, DRO, metals (limited to arsenic and chromium), SVOCs, and VOCs in soil samples exceed the Method Two CULs for migration to groundwater. Concentrations of DRO, metals, SVOCs, and VOCs in groundwater samples exceed the ADEC CULs for groundwater. These results indicate that there may be unacceptable risk to future excavation/construction workers, occupational workers, and hypothetical future residents at Site SS019 because of the exceedances. A baseline human health risk assessment under CERCLA will need to be conducted to complete the DQOs of the RI. This site was merged with site SS019 B1700 POL (File Number 860.38.059) when it was determined that the POL contamination at this site was intermixed with the VOC contamination underground. Site SS019 B1700 POL was changed to "non-qualifying" as the POL contamination will be addressed at this site.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
4/30/2013 CERCLA RI Report Approved DEC approved the Remedial Investigation (RI) Results Report for the Trichloroethene (TCE) Area (Site SS006) and Building 1700 – Refueler Maintenance Shop (Site SS019), Former Galena Forward Operating Location (FOL), Alaska. Dennis Shepard
1/14/2014 CERCLA RI Plan Approved The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) received a Draft 2013 Supplemental Remedial Investigation (RI) and Site Characterization (SC) Sampling Plan on May 24, 2013. The sampling plan presents step out sample locations and analytical protocols for supplemental remedial investigation at six Sites (B400, OWS1833, DSWD, SS006/SS019, and FT001). DEC provided review comments for the draft sampling plan on July 3, 2013. A response to comments (RTC) and a Draft Final version of the plan was submitted on July 25, 2013. DEC provided comments for the Draft Final on July 19, 2013. A comment resolution teleconference meeting was held on July 19, 2013 to resolve the final issues for the sampling plan. All issues were resolved in the meeting and DEC approval was given to finalize the plan. Final version of the sampling plan was received on December 16, 2013 and approval of the work plan was given on January 14, 2014. Monte Garroutte
1/24/2014 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
2/24/2014 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79593 name: SS019 B1700 TCE Plume Monte Garroutte
4/15/2014 Meeting or Teleconference Held A Technical Project Team meeting was held to meet the Air Force newly selected Performance Based Remediation Contractor for Galena. The 6.5 year remediation contract was awarded to Parsons Governmental Services (Parsons). The contract includes completing the risk assessments, remediation feasibility studies, proposed plans and record of decision for remedial investigations at 10 Sites (FT001, SS006, SS013, SS015, SS019, SS018/AOC023, SS022/B400, DP023/DSWD, OW024/OWS1833, and SS025). Monte Garroutte
5/21/2015 CERCLA RI Report Approved DEC approved the supplemental Remedial Investigation (RI) Report, Trichloroethene (TCE) Area (Site SS006) and Building 1700 – Refueler Maintenance Shop (Site SS019), Former Galena Forward Operating Location (FOL), Alaska. Dennis Shepard
10/26/2016 Meeting or Teleconference Held A restoration Advisory board meeting was held in Galena Alaska to discuss the general and specific status of site investigations and cleanup at Galena. Dennis Shepard
11/15/2017 CERCLA FS DEC provided comments for the Draft Feasibility Study for Sites SS006/SS019, Former Galena Forward Operation Location, Alaska. The FS considers Soil vapor extraction, Bioventing, In situ Chemical Oxidation, LUCs, and MNA as remedial alternatives. Dennis Shepard
8/8/2018 Site Visit DEC conducted a site visit at the Former Forward Operating Location in Galena, AK on August 8-9, 2018. A photo log is available in DEC's electronic file. Jamie McKellar
10/29/2018 Site Visit On October 23, 2018, DEC participated in the Technical Project Team (TPT) meeting with representatives from USAF and ADOT&PF. A site visit with inspections of each site was conducted the following day (10/24/2018) in Galena, as well as a regional advisory board (RAB) meeting with members of the community and other interested parties. Jamie McKellar
4/5/2019 Site Visit On April 2, 2019, DEC staff participated in a Technical Project Team meeting with representatives from USAF, Parsons, CH2M, and ADOT. The TPT meeting was held at the Fairbanks DEC office. On April 3-4, 2019, DEC staff traveled to Galena to participate in meetings with the City Mayor & RAB chair to discuss community concerns about site cleanup; a Proposed Plan meeting for Site DP023, and a community regional advisory board (RAB) meeting to discuss fieldwork completed during the 2018 field season and upcoming 2019 fieldwork. Site visits were also conducted. Jamie McKellar
10/23/2019 Meeting or Teleconference Held On October 22, 2019, DEC participated in the Technical Project Team (TPT) meeting with representatives from USAF and ADOT&PF. A site visit was conducted the following day (10/23/2019) in Galena, as well as a regional advisory board (RAB) meeting with members of the community and other interested parties. Jamie McKellar
9/4/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 79593 SS019 B1700 TCE Plume. Jamie McKellar
11/15/2023 Site Visit DEC, DOT, USAF, and contractors met at the Fairbanks DEC office on May 2, 2023 for a Technical Project Team meeting. The following day a site visit and Regional Advisory Board (RAB) meeting were held in Galena. Meeting minutes for the TPT and RAB meetings were approved on November 15, 2023. Jamie McKellar
4/23/2024 Meeting or Teleconference Held CS staff participated in the biannual Technical Project Team (TPT) meeting with representatives from USAF BRAC, Parsons, Jacobs/CH2M Hill, and EA Engineering. The meeting was held at the EA Engineering office in Anchorage, AK. Jamie McKellar
6/27/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved multiple data quality assessment reports for soil, soil vapor, groundwater, and sediment. Reports were submitted by Parsons and CH2M/Jacobs. Approval letter is dated 6/27/2024. Jamie McKellar
7/16/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the Final 2023 Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) Remediation System Annual Report. The document describes the results of the operations, monitoring, and maintenance (OM&M) activities from October 2022 through September 2023 for five SVE systems at the Former Galena Forward Operating Location. Tim Sharp

Contaminant Information

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