Site Report: Nowell Mine Old Mill Site
| Site Name: | Nowell Mine Old Mill Site |
|---|---|
| Address: | Along Sheep Creek; ~0.4 Mile NW of Thane Road and Sheep Creek Trail Road Intersection; ~4 Miles SE of Juneau, Juneau, AK 99801 |
| File Number: | 1513.38.093 |
| Hazard ID: | 26195 |
| Status: | Active |
| Staff: | Brittani Mack, 9072697558 brittani.mack@alaska.gov |
| Latitude: | 58.268255 |
| Longitude: | -134.323686 |
| Horizontal Datum: | WGS84 |
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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
Former 20-stamp processing mill for silver and gold constructed in 1896 by the Nowell Gold Mining Company. In 1914, the old mill burned to the ground after it was struck by lightning. The old mine site is about one acre in size with burned timber remnants still present. It is suspected that mercury amalgamation ore purification processes were used at the site. Due to the potential for spills and the unknown quantity of mercury remaining onsite following the fire, it is identified as a primary COC; however several other metals were detected above applicable soil cleanup criteria in sampling in 1988 by E &E. Sheep Creek is immediately nearby and is both habitat for wild anadromous species but also supplies water for a fish hatchery downgradient. 1988 sampling did not show concentrations of COCs above WQS. The site is not on an established trail. May 2014 sampling by Nortech identified the following contaminants above ADEC cleanup levels (concentration ranges in mg/kg given): Arsenic: 7.78-309 Cadmium: 0.33-13.1 Lead: 38.1-3710 Mercury: 1.28-85.4 Selenium: 1.79-4.88 Chromium: 53-100 Silver: 1.59-76.8
Action Information
| Action Date | Action | Description | DEC Staff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/30/2014 | Site Added to Database | A new site has been added to the database | Mitzi Read |
| 1/30/2014 | Exposure Tracking Model Ranking | Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79597 name: Former Mill Site | Mitzi Read |
| 2/17/2014 | Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter | Sent to AJT Properties on February 14, 2014. | Sally Schlichting |
| 2/19/2014 | Update or Other Action | Contacted by ERM consultants out of Anchorage to discuss the transfer of assets from AJT properties to Avista Corp. | Sally Schlichting |
| 4/29/2014 | Site Visit | On Tuesday April 29th CS staff Sally Schlichting and Danielle Duncan accompanied NORTECH staff and representatives from Avista Corp (Bruce Howard) and AELP (Bill Corbus) on a site visit to the Nowell Mine Old Mill site in Sheep Creek valley south of downtown Juneau. Avista Corp will be acquiring all AJT properties (of which this is one) as part of the AELP merger/acquisition expected to be finalized in a few months. Previous sampling at this former mine site documented elevated concentrations of arsenic, lead, mercury, and silver but was limited in scope. Purpose of site visit was to gain understanding of the area and identify discrete sample locations for better characterization. NORTECH to carry out additional sampling in early May. | Sally Schlichting |
| 4/29/2014 | Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other | Sampling plan for RCRA metals submitted by NORTECH on behalf of AJT properties reviewed and approved with changes. Samples will be collected in low drainage areas throughout the site, scheduled for May 7, 2014. | Sally Schlichting |
| 5/9/2014 | Site Visit | Assisted NORTECH with discrete soil sampling at the site. Sampled drainages and the vicinity around the foundation. | Danielle Duncan |
| 6/27/2014 | Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other | Rec'd Site Assessment Report from Nortech. The following concentration ranges of elements were found in soil (mg/kg): As 8-309, Ba 49-1040, Cd 0.3-13, Cr 52-100, Pb 39-3700, Hg 2-85, Se 1-5, Ag 0.7-76. | Danielle Duncan |
| 8/20/2014 | Site Characterization Report Approved | Sent approval letter and comments to interested parties re: Site Assessment Report from Nortech. | Danielle Duncan |
| 12/5/2014 | Institutional Control Record Established | Institutional Controls established and entered into the database. Sent letter to RP approving the use of warning signage. | Danielle Duncan |
| 3/16/2015 | Update or Other Action | Spoke to RP and the signs have been ordered and Nortech has been hired to place them at the site. They expect that the signs will go up in a few weeks and they will send pictures documenting their locations. | Danielle Duncan |
| 9/2/2015 | Update or Other Action | Rec'd a letter from Nortech documenting the placement of 4 warning signs on 4/24/14 on site that bracket the contaminated area. They plan on doing a site visit this fall to verify that they are still up and in good condition. | Danielle Duncan |
| 1/18/2017 | Exposure Tracking Model Ranking | A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 79597 Former Mill Site. | Danielle Duncan |
Contaminant Information
| Name | Level Description | Media | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury - Total | > Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation | Soil | Mercury concentrations at the site range from 1-85 mg/kg. |
| Lead - Total | > Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation | Soil | Lead concentrations at the site range from 38-3710 mg/kg. |
| Arsenic - Total | > Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation | Soil | Arsenic concentrations at the site range from 8-309 mg/kg. |
| Cadmium - Total | Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation | Soil | Cadmium concentrations at the site range from 0.3-13 mg/kg. |
| Selenium - Total | Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation | Soil | Selenium concentrations at the site range from 1-5 mg/kg. |
| Silver - Total | Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation | Soil | Silver concentrations at the site range from 0.6-77 mg/kg. |
Control Type
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Other | NOTICE: This area has been found to contain elevated levels of heavy metals related to historic mining activity. Please refrain from harvesting edible vegetation from the immediate area. For further information, please contact AJT Mining at (907) 463-6326 or ADEC at (907) 465-5207. |
Requirements
| Description | Details |
|---|---|
| Excavation / Soil Movement Restrictions | |
| Groundwater Use Restrictions | |
| Maintenance / Inspection Of Engineering Controls | The warning signs must be checked annually to make sure that they are in place and in good condition. |
| Hazard ID | Site Name | File Number |
|---|---|---|
| 404 | Alaska Gastineau Mine Tailings | 1513.38.013 |