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Site Report: Galena AFS/Airport - SS016 Bldg 2541 Former POL Fuels Lab

Site Name: Galena AFS/Airport - SS016 Bldg 2541 Former POL Fuels Lab
Address: Galena Airport; ~0.3 Mile East of GAVTC, Galena, AK 99741
File Number: 860.38.064
Hazard ID: 26207
Status: Active
Staff: Tim Sharp, 9074512131 tim.sharp@alaska.gov
Latitude: 64.738200
Longitude: -156.936300
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

Site SS016 consisted of the former UST 2541 area and inactive diesel fuel, arctic grade (DFA) and JP-4 fuel pipelines in the vicinity of the former POL laboratory known as Building 2541. The area is currently occupied by the Bureau of Land Management during the summer months as an aircraft parking and staging area to support firefighting activities in the region. There are currently no buildings at Site SS016 that were associated with the former POL Laboratory. UST 2541 (documented under Hazard ID 23152) was removed in 1998. Two confirmation soil samples were collected in 1999. Results of the 1999 sampling indicated that soil contamination remained in the western area of the UST excavation; however, the soil samples collected in 1999 were limited in extent and were analyzed for DRO only. In 2001 the Air Force collected soil and groundwater samples as part of a follow-on UST investigation report to determine the extent of contamination. The 2001 sampling indicated GRO, DRO, benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, total xylenes, and naphthalene in soil near former UST 2541 and south of the tank at concentrations exceeding their respective soil extent SLs. GRO, DRO, and benzene were detected in groundwater at former UST 2541 and 100 feet down-gradient of the tank at concentrations exceeding the groundwater extent SLs and Method Two CULs. During Site Characterization conducted in 2011, DRO, GRO, and fuel-related VOCs were found above cleanup levels in the soil and the groundwater. DRO exceeded ADEC CULs for groundwater in two general areas: the former UST excavation and along the fuel pipelines. GRO exceeds ADEC CULs for groundwater only in the area of the former UST excavation. Fuel related VOCs, including benzene, ethylbenzene, EDB, and toluene, exceed ADEC CULs for groundwater only in wells and borings located in the area south of former Building 2541. The Air Force completed an interim removal action in 2013. Approximately 8,700 cubic yards of DRO/POL contaminated soil was excavated and removed from the site. The soil was transported to the Galena Landfarm for stockpiling and treatment. The 2013 action removed the area of contamination and the concrete ballast pad associated with UST2541. Approximately 250 linear feet of abandoned fuel pipeline was also removed. Although the removal action addressed the highest levels of contamination on site and removed the abandoned pipeline section and UST location, additional contamination above ADEC CULs for soil and groundwater remains at Site SS016. Groundwater monitoring is ongoing. Additional Soil removal actions may be required.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
4/5/2013 Site Characterization Report Approved DEC approved the Site Characterization results report for Site SS016, Former Galena Forward Operating Location (FOL), Galena, Alaska. Monte Garroutte
7/12/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the Addendum work plan for interim removal action at Site SS016. Dennis Shepard
2/19/2014 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
2/20/2014 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79608 name: SS016 Bldg 2541 Former POL Fuels Lab Monte Garroutte
8/5/2014 Interim Removal Action Approved DEC approved the Interim Removal Action Excavation Construction Report for Site SS016 Former Galena Forward Operating Location (FOL), Alaska. Monte Garroutte
4/15/2015 Site Visit DEC conducted a site visit and inspected the SS016 site and adjacent BLM site. The SS016 excavation site shows a small amount of settling. The adjacent BLM site buildings were inspected for construction/vapor intrusion concerns. The BLM buildings have ventilated crawl spaces and the vapor intrusion pathway is considered incomplete. Dennis Shepard
5/26/2016 Cleanup Plan Approved DEC provided approval for the Cleanup Plan for Site SS016, Building 2541 – Former Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant Fuels Laboratory, Former Galena Forward Operating Location, Galena, Alaska. The plan includes installation of a bioventing system to address petroleum contaminants in the vadose and variably saturated zones and will rely on Monitored Natural Attenuation of groundwater contamination. 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
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
10/30/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other REPORT APPROVAL: Final 2018 Performance Monitoring Report for Sites CPL006, CSS002, OW024, SS006/SS019, SS014/SS017, SS015, SS016, SS018, SS022, SS025, ST009, ST010, and FT001, Former Galena Forward Operating Location, Alaska (Parsons, October 2019) Jamie McKellar
4/21/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other REPORT APPROVAL: 2020 Performance Monitoring Report for Sites CPL006, CSS002, SS006/SS019, SS017, SS015, SS016, SS018, SS022, ST009, ST010, and FT001, Former Galena Forward Operating Location, Alaska (Parsons, April 2021) 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

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details

Requirements

Description Details

There are no documents for this site report.

Hazard ID Site Name File Number
23152 Galena AFS/Airport - SS016 UST 2541 860.26.002

Missing Location Data

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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