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Site Report: Sitka Jarvis Power Plant

Site Name: Sitka Jarvis Power Plant
Address: 133 Jarvis Street (aka 101 Jarvis Street), Sitka, AK 99835
File Number: 1525.38.052
Hazard ID: 26453
Status: Active
Staff: Stacee Henderson, 9072628202 stacee.henderson@alaska.gov
Latitude: 57.050172
Longitude: -135.312088
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 August 2015, ~30,000 gallons of diesel were released to secondary containment from above-ground tank T-100 at the City and Borough of Sitka Jarvis Power Plant. A drain valve of the secondary containment failed and released ~2,500 gallons to a storm drain system which empties into Sitka Sound at the mouth of the Indian River. Due to the limited space available on site, petroleum contaminated soil was excavated to the extent practicable and was placed in a bioremediation cell at the Granite Creek Industrial Pit Run Site and is approximately 15 by 40 feet (ft.) with bermed sides; it holds approximately 50 cubic yards of soil. Interception trenches and monitoring wells have been installed and monitoring is on-going to recover product. Bedrock and groundwater are found at 5-6 feet below ground.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
8/19/2015 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Potentially Responsible Party / State Interest Letter sent to City and Borough of Sitka by PPR staff Allison Natcher. Mitzi Read
9/14/2015 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PPR staff Allison Natcher. Spill no. 15119922701; spill date = 8/15/15; substance = diesel; quantity = ~2,500 gallons outside secondary containment; source = tank #1 (T100); description: ~30,000 gallons of diesel were released to secondary containment. A drain valve of the secondary containment failed and released ~2,500 gallons to a storm drain system which empties into Sitka Sound at the mouth of the Indian River. Mitzi Read
9/23/2015 Site Characterization Report Approved Approved CDI's report: "Preliminary Site Investigation Report CBS – Jarvis Street Diesel Plant Site Sitka, Alaska", Dated September 2015. The report detailed an initial investigation into the extent of petroleum contamination following a diesel spill. The results of the investigation are as follows: 1. The soil sample (S-1) from the storm drain connection at Jarvis Street at 5 feet below ground surface had a DRO concentration of 4,300 mg/kg. An 18 inch recovery well (RW-1) was installed on the Jarvis Street side of the connection to allow for product recovery and groundwater observation. A finger-width gap was noted on the Jarvis side of the connection and the ADEC recommends that this be sealed as soon as possible to prevent contamination from entering the storm drain system. A work plan is currently being drafted to conduct limited excavation and possibly an interception trench on the property. 2. Soil at the containment drain valve located on the west side of the fence along Jarvis Street had a DRO concentration of 2,700 mg/kg (sample S-2). 3. At the southeast corner of the T-100 tank containment, contaminated soil, free product, and groundwater at 2 feet below ground surface were observed. Bedrock was found at 5 feet below ground surface. A soil sample was collected from the free product/groundwater interface and it had a DRO concentration of 7,200 mg/kg. A recovery well (RW-2) was also installed. 4. Soil samples (S-4 and S-5) collected from the south wall of the T-100 tank containment area did not appear to be impacted by the spill – no product was observed and soils did not have petroleum constituents exceeding ADEC cleanup levels. 5. The last excavation was located to the east of the D-3 generator and to the north of the electric vault. Contaminated soil was found beginning at 2 feet below ground surface and extended to 6 feet below ground. Free product and groundwater were found at 6 feet below ground. Soil sample S-6 collected from the area had a DRO concentration of 12,000 mg/kg. A recovery well (RW-3) was installed in this area to recover product and monitor groundwater. Danielle Duncan
9/23/2015 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
9/25/2015 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79825 name: Release from Tank T-100 Secondary Containment Mitzi Read
9/28/2015 Update or Other Action Spoke to the RP and CDI is working on a work plan. During low-flow, there is slight sheening at the outfall but during high flow there is not. The boom is still in place and will remain there until the Coast Guard gives the ok to remove it. There is no obvious sheen on the beach but the catch basin at Jarvis Street does. Danielle Duncan
9/28/2015 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 79825 Release from Tank T-100 Secondary Containment. Danielle Duncan
10/5/2015 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Approved CDI's work plan: Investigation & Cleanup Plan CBS – Jarvis Street Diesel Plant Site this date. The plan details excavation (as practicable) of impacted areas of the site after a diesel spill. Special attention will be made to the storm drain system and any breaches will be field repaired. Confirmation and investigative soil samples will be collected from the excavation sidewalls and bottom and sampling methodology will follow the ADEC Draft Field Sampling Guidance, May 2010. Soil samples will be analyzed for BTEX, GRO, and DRO and will be selected using a PID. Excavated soils will be temporarily stockpiled at the landfill to be used either in a paving project or a bioremediation cell will be set up and the ADEC will be provided a management plan. If necessary, an interception trench (equipped with an oil water separator) will be dug in the source area. Danielle Duncan
10/5/2015 Update or Other Action Spill update: Sorbent material is being maintained in the recovery wells continuously. The only well that we are seeing much recovery from is R-3. The hardboom and (2) lengths or sorbent boom are still in place, as directed by the USCG on 9/29/15. The outfall has generally been clear. This morning there was a light, colorless sheen accumulated within the hardboom. Danielle Duncan
10/21/2015 Update or Other Action - The second phase of onsite Investigation and Cleanup began on October 14th. Two days of excavating along the storm sewer and in the yard have been conducted so far. Weather permitting, another day of excavation will occur later this week. - USCG visited the outfall at both high and low tide last Wednesday and concluded that conditions warranted removing the remaining boom. The hardboom and sorbent boom have been removed from the outfall. - Sorbent materials continue to be monitored and maintained in the stormsewer and the onsite recovery wells. Sheen is still present in the stormsewer. Danielle Duncan
12/3/2015 Update or Other Action Work has been completed - waiting for a formal report. They have been removing product from the interception trench running alongside the fence. They repaired the breaks in the storm line. The storm drain at times has only light sheen. The City is keeping up on replacing sorbents. Danielle Duncan
12/29/2015 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Rec'd Site Investigation and Cleanup Report dated December 2015. Danielle Duncan
1/21/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Contacted the consultant and the City with minor questions about the report and received a response from the consultant on 2/3/16. Danielle Duncan
2/5/2016 Site Characterization Report Approved Approved the report “Site Investigation & Cleanup Report City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) – Jarvis Street Diesel Plant Site Sitka, Alaska” submitted by Carson Dorn Inc. (CDI) dated December 2015 and received by our office on December 29th 2015 by electronic mail. Approximately 35 yds3 of contaminated soil was excavated from the south side of the D-1 generator from an area about 28 ft. long and six (6) ft. wide and deep. Groundwater and product were observed at five (5) ft. bgs. and approximately 100 gallons of free product was recovered from the excavation. Product was also observed seeping from the north side of the excavation. The excavation was constrained by the electrical conex to the north and an underground water line to the south. The excavation was left open and a well was installed to make observations and recover free product. Sorbent pads are being used to actively remove product. Soil samples collected within the groundwater-soil interface had DRO concentrations up to 11,000 mg/kg and gasoline range organics (GRO) at 410 mg/kg. The cleanup continues. Danielle Duncan
4/20/2016 Update or Other Action Spoke to the city today and they are seeing less product in the recovery trench and monitoring wells. There has been no product in the storm drain or on the beach. CDI is working on a work plan for installing groundwater monitoring wells to define the extent of contamination. Danielle Duncan
5/18/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Rec'd GROUNDWATER SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS PLAN from CDI this date. Danielle Duncan
5/31/2016 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Approved CDI's work plan to install 4 groundwater monitoring wells this date. The 4 new groundwater monitoring wells will be sampled for diesel range organics (DRO), gasoline range organics (GRO), and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). Danielle Duncan
8/10/2016 Update or Other Action On June 14-15, 2016 CDI completed the installation of 4 new monitoring wells to further delineate onsite & offsite contaminant impacts to groundwater. The hide tide during the installation of the monitoring wells was 6.52 feet. CDI recommended waiting to sample the newly installed wells until Fall 2016 in hopes that MW-3 and MW-4 will be able to be sampled during much higher high tides. Free product was encountered in MW-1 and a heavy sheen in MW-2 evidence of likely exceeding the groundwater cleanup standard for DRO. CBS plans to over-excavate R-3 & R-5 to increase the depth of the recovery wells to allow for increased recovery in conjunction with backfilling the existing trench surrounding R-3 & R-5 to allow for placement of a new conex shop to the south. Additionally, CBS will continue to monitor the existing recovery wells and new monitoring wells periodically for product and to gauge productivity in MW-3 and MW-4. Danielle Duncan
9/19/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved the work plan to build a bioremediation cell received on September 9, 2016. The cell will be sampled beginning September 2017. I expect that the groundwater monitoring wells will also be sampled during remediation cell set up. Danielle Duncan
10/6/2016 Update or Other Action Update: MW-1: free product was encountered at 4.8 ft bgs and groundwater was encountered at 5.2 ft bgs. MW-2: free product was encountered at 7.68 ft bgs and groundwater was encountered at 7.8 ft bgs. MW-3: was not productive at the time of gauging. MW-4: was not productive at the time of gauging. MW-3 and MW-4 were productive during the 10.4 ft high tide on September 16, 2016. During the gauging event groundwater was encountered at 4.4 ft bgs in MW-4 and 9.45 ft bgs in MW-3. CDI plans to gauge wells again on October 17, 2016 during the 12.2 ft high tide event. Productive wells that do not contain free product will be sampled during this event. The wells are still being outfitted with sorbents for product removal. The trench has been filled in and the biocell still needs construction. Groundwater on site is tidally influenced. Although there has been product in the wells, the amounts are not significant. Danielle Duncan
2/1/2017 Update or Other Action Approved the groundwater monitoring report this date. Groundwater monitoring and product recovery on site are on-going, however, less product is being observed in recovery wells and trenches than in the past, suggesting either pockets of product and/or remediation. Monitoring well (MW) 1 and recovery wells 3 and 5 had free product. CES is deploying water level data loggers in MW3 and MW4 to gauge depth to groundwater in real time to better understand the roles of rainfall and tides on groundwater on site. CES recommended another round of groundwater sampling in April 2017 and then sampling semi-annually. The DEC concurs with this schedule, however, so long as there is free product in groundwater on site, analytical groundwater sampling may not be necessary. Danielle Duncan
11/6/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved the groundwater monitoring and biocell construction report this date. Groundwater monitoring wells (GW) 1, 2, 3, and 4 were gauged on August 28, 2017. MW1 had groundwater and free product. MW2 had groundwater but no product and MW3 and MW4 did not have groundwater or product. MW2 was sampled and analyzed for diesel range organics (DRO), gasoline range organics (GRO), residual range organics (RRO), and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). The results were below ADEC cleanup levels (Table C 18 AAC 75.341) for BTEX, GRO, and RRO, but DRO was above the cleanup of 1.5 mg/L at a concentration of 15 mg/L. The biocell) was constructed to remediate petroleum contaminated soil previously excavated from the site. It is located at the Granite Creek Industrial Pit Run Site. Danielle Duncan
12/6/2017 Update or Other Action A 40 yard stockpile of contaminated soil discovered during the Lake St./Degroff St. sewer & water line project will be placed at the Jarvis Street Power Plant biocell area in a separate pile for the City of Sitka to remediate. Danielle Duncan
3/8/2018 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed and approved the report Jarvis Street Diesel Plant Sitka, Alaska – Groundwater Sampling. Groundwater monitoring wells (MW) 1, 2, 3, and 4 were gauged and groundwater samples were collected from MW2 and MW4. Free product was observed in MW1 and MW3 did not have groundwater in it. DRO contamination in the other 2 wells is an on-going issue. Danielle Duncan
7/24/2018 Site Characterization Report Approved Approved the letter report Jarvis Street Diesel Plant Sitka, Alaska – Groundwater & Bioremediation Cell Soil Sampling submitted by Cox Environmental Services (CES) dated July 5, 2018. Groundwater monitoring wells (MW) 1, 2, 3, and 4 were gauged and groundwater samples were collected from MW2 only; samples were not collected from the other three wells due to product present in MW1 and no groundwater present in MW3 and MW4. A sample from MW2 was collected and had diesel range organics above the cleanup level at 11 milligrams per liter. the biocell was also sampled and was above cleanup levels. Remediation and monitoring will continue. Danielle Duncan
7/25/2018 Update or Other Action Re: Lake St./Degroff St. contaminated soil stockpile: per Cox Environmental, the material was used for cover at the landfill - worked with B. Adams and D. Pikul (ADEC). Danielle Duncan
2/6/2019 Update or Other Action Per Cox Environmental, a report will be rec'd soon. Danielle Duncan
4/5/2019 Site Characterization Report Approved Approved the Jarvis Street Diesel Plant Sitka, Alaska – Groundwater & Bioremediation Cell Soil Sampling this date. Groundwater monitoring wells (MW) 1, 2, 3, and 4 were inspected and groundwater samples were collected from MW2 only; samples were not collected from the other three wells due to product present in MW1 and no groundwater in MW3 and MW4. These are the same conditions observed during the last sampling event. A sample from MW2 and a duplicate were collected and analyzed for diesel range organics (DRO) and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). The result for DRO (6.6 milligrams per liter (mg/L)) was above the ADEC cleanup level of 1.5 mg/L (Table C 18 AAC 75.341). The BTEX result met cleanup levels. Danielle Duncan
8/23/2019 Site Characterization Report Approved Approved the Jarvis Street Diesel Plant Sitka, Alaska – Groundwater & Bioremediation Cell Soil Sampling this date. There was insufficient groundwater for sampling and MW-1 had free product in it. Efforts to recover free product from the recovery wells is on-going. According to the report, the groundwater wells will be sampled again in September of this year. The maximum DRO concentration detected in the biocell was 300 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg). The bioremediation cell has remediated sufficiently for disposal. According to the report, the plan is to take the bioremediation cell to the Sitka Granite Creek Landfill upon ADEC Solid Waste Program approval. Danielle Duncan
1/22/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed the Groundwater Sampling report, dated January 21, 2020. One well, MW2, was sampled in November 2019 for GRO, DRO, RRO, and BTEX. DRO was detected at 1.5 mg/l. The well is slated to be sampled again in March 2020. Joshua Barsis

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