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Site Report: Haines Borough Primary School

Site Name: Haines Borough Primary School
Address: South Side of Main Street, Between 4th and 5th Avenues; Lots 6 & 7 Primary School Subdivision, Haines, AK 99827
File Number: 1508.38.017
Hazard ID: 26214
Status: Cleanup Complete - Institutional Controls
Staff: IC Unit, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 59.235177
Longitude: -135.450142
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

In October 2009 the Haines Borough closed by removal a 1,000-gallon heating oil underground storage tank (UST) at the Primary School in Haines. In conjunction with the UST closure-by-removal, 125 cubic yards of contaminated soil was excavated and remediated off-site. After demolition of the building in October 2010, an additional 200 cubic yards of contaminated soil was excavated and remediated off-site. In 2012 soil from 24 test pits was screened for DRO and VOCs to select eleven analytical samples to characterize subsurface soil. Each of the soil contaminants of concern (COCs) for the site DRO, benzene, 2-methylnaphthalene and 1-methylnaphthalene were detected above approved cleanup levels. The analytical results detected moderate concentrations of DRO in all eleven samples with a maximum DRO concentration of 6,200 mg/kg in sample P6-5 collected six feet BGS in a boring located at the former UST site. The analytical results detected benzene in five of eleven samples and the maximum benzene concentration was 0.11 mg/kg in sample P1-11 collected east of the former UST site. Analytical results for PAH compounds 2-methylnaphthalene and 1-methylnaphthalene had concentrations of 19 mg/kg and 12 mg/kg respectively in sample P20-5 collected five feet BGS west of the former UST site. Contaminated soil remains beyond the perimeter of previous removal excavations in a layer averaging less than one foot thick over the intact clay-like confining layer. Groundwater migrating through this remaining soil contamination layer could potentially seep from the surface and affect wetlands located off-site southwest of the building site. As a result, DEC requested HB submit a plan to investigate groundwater for contamination. In October 2013, pre-packed monitor wells were installed and sampled. Based on analytical results below the cleanup levels in samples from each monitor well for COCs DRO, benzene, 2-methylnaphthalene and 1-methylnaphthalene, Chilkat Environmental Inc. recommended closing the site with institutional controls restricting movement of soil from below an estimated average depth limit of five feet BGS where remaining contaminated soil may be present.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
9/15/2009 Cleanup Plan Approved Cleanup Plan approved this date for the removal of the tank at the former primary school building. All contaminated soil is to be excavated and shipped to an out of state approved landfill for disposal. Fieldwork is anticipated to occur in mid-October. (Action transferred from Hazard ID 4219.) Anne Marie Palmieri
10/15/2009 Site Visit Primary: Site visit conducted during removal action. (Action transferred from Hazard ID 4219.) Anne Marie Palmieri
12/11/2009 Cleanup Level(s) Approved Primary: Interim Removal Action Report approved this date. DRO up to 9000 ppm remains in-situ at the sidewall along the building. Haines Borough plans to demolish the building. Additional soil will be removed at that time. 125 cy of soil removed -- 35 cy sent to Rabanco; 90 cy stockpiled at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. (Action transferred from Hazard ID 4219.) Anne Marie Palmieri
6/18/2010 Update or Other Action DEC has learned that the primary school building will be demolished in Fall 2010. At that time, the remaining contaminated soil presently under the building will be excavated. The Haines Borough hopes to create a bioremediation cell at the wastewater treatment plant on Fair Drive to treat the petroleum contaminated soil currently stockpiled at this location as well as the soil which will be excavated in Fall 2010. (Action transferred from Hazard ID 4219.) Anne Marie Palmieri
7/9/2010 Cleanup Plan Approved A bioremediation plan of the 90cy of petroleum contaminated soil stockpiled at the wastewater treatment plant was approved this date. Additional contaminated soil which will be excavated in the fall will be placed in an adjacent cell. Cells will be located at the wastewater treatment plant. Samples will be collected every September and an annual status report due by 12/1 of that year. If soils do not meet cleanup levels by 9/2013 sampling event, additional treatment may be necessary. A leachate collection system was not required as the Borough committed to keeping the cells covered in the winter and during heavy storm events. If leachate is generated, this can be revisited. (Action transferred from Hazard ID 4219.) Anne Marie Palmieri
10/15/2010 Update or Other Action Removal action work plan approved. Removal will begin shortly. (Action transferred from Hazard ID 4219.) Anne Marie Palmieri
8/17/2011 Interim Removal Action Approved Primary: Removal Action report approved for the October 2010 removal. Confirmation sample results show that contamination remains in place. Excavated soil was placed in a biocell at the public wastewater treatment building. (Action transferred from Hazard ID 4219.) Anne Marie Palmieri
11/10/2011 Update or Other Action Sampling results from the fall biocell sampling event were provided to DEC via email on 11/3/11. Results from biocell 1 show that cleanup levels were met. CS staff approved a Borough request to move the soil to make room for more snow storage. CS requested a formal report of the sampling event. (Action transferred from Hazard ID 4219.) Anne Marie Palmieri
1/19/2012 Update or Other Action CS staff contacted the Borough consultant about the submittal of the biocell sampling event report. Consultant committed to providing that in February. (Action transferred from Hazard ID 4219.) Anne Marie Palmieri
6/11/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held CS Staff met with Borough staff regarding contamination at the former primary and elementary schools. Staff requested that the Borough conduct a site characterization this summer. The Borough agreed. (Action transferred from Hazard ID 4219.) Anne Marie Palmieri
6/19/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held CS staff met with Borough staff and their consultant, Chilkat Environmental, for a scoping meeting regarding the former primary and elementary tanks. A work plan is expected to be submitted in the next week or so. (Action transferred from Hazard ID 4219.) Anne Marie Palmieri
7/6/2012 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Characterization work plan approved this date for the former elementary and primary school USTs. Fieldwork will be conducted in mid-August. (Action transferred from Hazard ID 4219.) Anne Marie Palmieri
11/19/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC letter approved land spreading remediated soil from the on-site biocell behind main building at the public wastewater treatment facility in Haines. The location is not within 100 feet of water body or wetlands. A cap of clean D1 material was applied to control the direct contact, inhalation, ingestion and surface water exposure pathways. (Action transferred from Hazard ID 4219.) Anne Marie Palmieri
11/26/2013 Final Cleanup Report Reviewed DEC letter approves Haines Borough: Former Primary School Groundwater Sampling Report (Report)by Chilkat Environmental documenting monitor well installation and sampling at the former Primary School property on Main Street in Haines. DEC concurs with the conclusions in the Report that groundwater contamination is below regulatory levels and that additional groundwater sampling to monitor natural attenuation is unnecessary. DEC recommends restricting the movement of contaminated soil and the installation of water wells on the property. If proposed, either of these actions must be coordinated with and approved by DEC in advance of beginning any activity. (Action transferred from Hazard ID 4219.) Bruce Wanstall
3/6/2014 Update or Other Action Site Name of Hazard ID 4219 changed from Haines Borough School District USTs to Haines Borough High School. Original site record encompassed four school sites and have now been split into four separate Hazard IDs: 4219 (Haines Borough High School), 26214 (Haines Borough Primary School), 26215 (Haines Borough Elementary School), and 26216 (Haines Borough Vocational Technical School). Problem statement updated and historical actions moved and/or copied accordingly. Mitzi Read
3/6/2014 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
3/7/2014 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter DEC letter was sent by electronic and regular mail to the Director of Public Facilities for the Haines Borough regarding normal Notice of Potential Responsible Party information and notice of an administrative reorganization of school UST sites on the CS database to facilitate pending site closure agreements. Bruce Wanstall
3/10/2014 Institutional Control Record Established Institutional Controls established and entered into the database. Bruce Wanstall
3/10/2014 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79612 name: 1,000-Gallon Heating Oil UST Bruce Wanstall
3/12/2014 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 79612 1,000-Gallon Heating Oil UST. Based on analytical results below the Table C cleanup levels in samples from each monitor well, Chilkat Environmental recommended a site closure with institutional controls restricting movement of soil from below an estimated average depth limit of five feet below ground surface where remaining contaminated soil may be present Bruce Wanstall
3/18/2014 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued In accordance with 18 AAC 75.335, site characterization and cleanup DEC concurs with the recommendation by Chilkat Environmental and has determined that soil contamination remaining in a subsurface soil layer on the referenced property is limited, stable and does not present an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. Groundwater monitoring demonstrates that the thin zone of contamination is not impacting groundwater. The department approves closure for this site in accordance with 18 AAC 75.380, subject to institutional controls under 18 AAC 75.375, as outlined in the determination letter and in the deed notice. These controls are necessary to ensure that soil contamination encountered during construction or other disturbances in the future is properly managed, and that current and future landowners or operators on the impacted properties are notified and aware. Bruce Wanstall
3/31/2014 Enforcement Agreement or Order By signing the closure determination agreement, it is the responsibility of the owner/operator/land manager to maintain the terms of the Institutional Controls as stipulated in the signed agreement. If land use and/or ownership changes, the management conditions stated in the closure determination document may not be protective and DEC may require additional remediation and revised conditions. Therefore the Haines Borough shall report to DEC every three years to document land use, or report as soon as the Haines Borough becomes aware of any change in land ownership and/or use, if earlier. The report can be sent to the local DEC office or electronically to DEC.ICUnit@alaska.gov Bruce Wanstall
8/1/2014 Update or Other Action In accordance with Alaska Administrative Code Title 75.345(j) DEC approves evidence submitted by Chilkat Environmental that groundwater wells at the former Primary School UST site have been decommissioned in accordance with the department’s Recommended Practices for Monitoring Well Design, Installation, and Decommissioning, April 1992, adopted by reference, to achieve protection of human health, safety and welfare, and of the environment. Institutional Controls remain in effect requiring the landowner to provide DEC with notice of property sale or change in land use to ensure the assumptions under which DEC determined the exposure pathways to remaining soil contamination were de minimis, controlled or incomplete. A new landowner is required to provide DEC with a signed agreement the ICs will be met now and in the future. Bruce Wanstall
8/4/2014 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC compliance review conducted. Staff changed from Bruce Wanstall to IC Unit. Reminder system set-up to follow-up with the responsible party in 2017. Kristin Thompson
8/11/2014 Institutional Control Update This property has been sold to a private party. A new closure document was sent to the new owner and the database Affiliates information has been updated. The closure document includes an IC agreement page that needs to be signed by the property owner and returned to DEC. The reminder system has been updated in order to verify that we receive the agreement back. Evonne Reese
8/11/2014 Institutional Control Update Received the signed copy of the IC agreement from the new landowner. Evonne Reese
12/30/2016 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC compliance review conducted. Closure/IC Details updated. Reminder system set for the three-year review of land use conditions to occur and the IC reminder letter to be issued in 2017. Kristin Thompson
5/2/2017 Institutional Control Update An ICs Verification letter was issued this date. Reminder system set for future follow-ups to occur every three years. Kristin Thompson
5/18/2017 Institutional Control Periodic Reporting Received notice by letter that there has been no changes in ownership or zoning use at this property. Kristin Thompson
8/1/2024 Institutional Control Compliance Review IC compliance review completed on this date. An IC reminder letter was e-mailed to the landowner. The next review will be in five years’ time. Gaige Robinson

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
DRO Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil DRO 6,200 mg/kg
Benzene Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil benzene 0.11 mg/kg
DRO < Table C Groundwater
Benzene < Table C Groundwater
1-Methylnaphthalene Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Analytical results for 1-methylnaphthalene had concentrations of 12 mg/kg in sample P20-5 collected five feet BGS west of the former UST site.
2-Methylnaphthalene Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Analytical results for 2-methylnaphthalene had concentration of 19 mg/kg in sample P20-5 collected five feet BGS west of the former UST site.
2-Methylnaphthalene < Table C Groundwater Analytical result of 0.023 mg/L is below the Table C cleanup level of 0.15 mg/L in samples from monitor well MW-2.

Control Type

Type Details
Local Ordinances, Databases, Zoning Restrictions property zone is commercial land use
Signed CS Determination Property manager Haines Borough signed agreement page to notify DEC of any change in property zoning
Notice of Environmental Contamination Drawing and ICs listed in the closure determination letter

Requirements

Description Details
Other The Haines Residence LLC and any future property owner of this site shall submit a report to ADEC every three years to document land use, or report as soon as the Haines Residence LLC and any future property owner becomes aware of any change in land ownership and/or zoning use, if earlier, with a written description and photographs of the condition of the ground surfaces overlying the contamination with notation of any changes since the last report.
Restricted to Industrial / Commercial Land Use Any future change in land use may impact the exposure assumptions cited in this document. If land use zoning and/or ownership changes, these management conditions may not be protective and DEC may require additional remediation and revised conditions.
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site. Standard condition.
When Contaminated Soil is Accessible, Remediation Should Occur When remaining soil contamination at the former Primary School property becomes accessible during future property development, the soil must be evaluated and contamination addressed to the extent necessary to complete new development in accordance with an ADEC approved work plan.
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) Standard condition.
Groundwater Use Restrictions Installation of water wells will require approval from ADEC.
Excavation / Soil Movement Restrictions Sub-surface soil contamination is located on the referenced property as indicated in the decision letter and the deed notice. If remaining contaminated soil is disturbed by excavation, the soil must be evaluated and contamination addressed in accordance with an ADEC approved work plan.

No associated sites were found.

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