Site Report: Eielson AFB Polaris Lake AFFF
| Site Name: | Eielson AFB Polaris Lake AFFF |
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| Address: | SE Shoreline of Polaris Lake; ~0.13 mile E of Bldg 4870, Eielson AFB, AK 99702 |
| File Number: | 107.38.146 |
| Hazard ID: | 26627 |
| Status: | Active |
| Staff: | Dennis Shepard, 9074512180 dennis.shepard@alaska.gov |
| Latitude: | 64.687517 |
| Longitude: | -147.069815 |
| 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
On August 11, 2016 during an Eielson Air Force Base Fire Department training exercise, an internal pump component of a fire suppression system failed releasing approximately 0.25 gallons of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) concentrate to the southeast end of Polaris Lake and adjacent shoreline. Approximately 20 cubic feet of water and 250 square feet of shoreline were affected. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) were detected in surface water samples at levels of 16.6-19 ppt and 85.4-249 ppt, respectively. On October 3, 2016, DEC received analytical results for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) sampling in Polaris Lake following an Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) release. Sample results were taken from the top, middle, and bottom sections of the Polaris Lake water column. The results for the top section of the water column are 16.6 parts per trillion (ppt) PFOA and 249 ppt PFOS. The results for the middle section of the water column are 18.5 ppt PFOA and 183 ppt PFOS. The results for the bottom section of the water column are 19.0 ppt PFOA and 85.4 ppt PFOS. Soil surrounding Polaris lake was also sampled for PFOA and PFOS did not have a detection.
Action Information
| Action Date | Action | Description | DEC Staff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/3/2016 | Update or Other Action | DEC received analytical results for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) sampling in Polaris Lake following an Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) release. Sample results were taken from the top, middle, and bottom sections of the Polaris Lake water column. The results for the top section of the water column are 16.6 parts per trillion (ppt) PFOA and 249 ppt PFOS. The results for the middle section of the water column are 18.5 ppt PFOA and 183 ppt PFOS. The results for the bottom section of the water column are 19.0 ppt PFOA and 85.4 ppt PFOS. Soil surrounding Polaris lake was also sampled for PFOA and PFOS did not have a detection. | Bri Clark |
| 10/11/2016 | Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program | Spill transferred by PPR staff Kelley Tu. Spill no. 16309922401; substance = Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) concentrate; quantity = 0.25 gallons; source = fire suppression system; contaminant released to surface water body (Polaris Lake) and adjacent shoreline; PPR file no. 107.02.004. | Mitzi Read |
| 11/3/2016 | Site Added to Database | A new site has been added to the database | Mitzi Read |
| 3/1/2019 | Exposure Tracking Model Ranking | Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79983 name: Eielson AFB Polaris Lake AFFF | Bri Clark |
| 4/3/2019 | Public Notice | On April 3, 2019, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) issued emergency order No. 3-R-U-01-19 closing sport fishing at Polaris Lake on Eielson AFB. The Emergency order is in response to concentrations of per and poly fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS)identified above the EPA lifetime health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion. | Dennis Shepard |
| 5/22/2019 | Report or Workplan Review - Other | DEC provided comments on a Draft Expanded PFOA and PFOS Site Inspection at Eielson Air Force Base and Moose Creek, Alaska, Uniform Federal Policy-Quality Assurance Project Plan Work Plan, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, May 2019. The plan includes installation of 24 monitoring well, groundwater sampling and stepout borings to identify monitoring well locations. | Dennis Shepard |
| 1/10/2020 | Public Notice | On January 10, 2020 the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) issued Emergency Order No. 3-R-U-01-20 closing sport fishing at Polaris Lake on Eielson AFB and Kimberly Lake in North Pole. The Emergency order is in response to concentrations of per and poly fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS)identified above the EPA lifetime health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion. | Dennis Shepard |
| 4/9/2020 | Update or Other Action | On April 9, 2020, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) issued emergency order No. 3-R-U-02-20. The emergency order rescinds Emergency Order No. 3-R-U-01-20, and opens Polaris Lake to catch-and-release sport fishing. The Emergency order is in response to concentrations of per and poly fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS)identified above the EPA lifetime health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion. In December 2019, the Board of Fisheries adopted a regulation that allows catch-and-release fishing in stocked waters that have become contaminated. Polaris Lake is a popular sport fishery among residents of Eielson Air Force Base. | Dennis Shepard |
| 1/29/2021 | Report or Workplan Review - Other | DEC received a draft Quality Assurance Project Plan, Remedial Investigation (RI) for PFAS at Various Sites, Eielson AFB, Alaska. The purpose of the RI is to characterize the nature and extent of 24 PFAS compounds, specifically perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS),perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) through the application of adaptive high-resolution site characterization and the development of a flux-based conceptual site model.The outcome of the RI will be (1) flux-based ranking of sources and mapping of migration pathway(s), and (2) delineation of soil, groundwater, sediment, and surface water impacts. | Dennis Shepard |
| 4/27/2021 | Exposure Tracking Model Ranking | A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 79983 Eielson AFB Polaris Lake AFFF. | Cascade Galasso-Irish |
Contaminant Information
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Control Type
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Requirements
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No associated sites were found.