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Site Report: Peninsula Airways Cold Bay Airport Block 3 Lot 3B

Site Name: Peninsula Airways Cold Bay Airport Block 3 Lot 3B
Address: Cold Bay Airport, Block 3, Lot 3B, Cold Bay, AK 99571
File Number: 2538.38.023
Hazard ID: 26671
Status: Active
Staff: Alena Voigt, 9072697556 alena.voigt@alaska.gov
Latitude: 55.202788
Longitude: -162.719421
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 July, 2016, during a baseline environmental assessment of the Peninsula Airways facility on Block 3, Lot 3B at the Cold Bay Airport an area of stained soil was discovered between the aircraft and cargo hangars. The stained soil was discovered near a Jet A fuel dispenser and piping associated with the fuel dispenser and an aboveground storage tank behind the hangars. The consultant sampled the stained soil for gasoline range organics, diesel range organics (DRO), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes. During the initial sampling, all analytes except DRO were either not detected or detected at less than the most stringent Method 2 (Under 40-inch Zone) cleanup levels. DRO contamination up to 18,800 mg/kg was confirmed. Additional excavation and sampling was conducted under an approved work plan. During the excavation groundwater infiltrated the excavation at 4 to 4.5 feet below ground surface. A sheen was observed also on the groundwater. Screening and laboratory samples indicated that DRO, GRO, PAH, and Xylene contamination remain above cleanup levels.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
1/23/2017 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PPR staff Lisa Krebs-Barsis. Spill no. 16259919801; spill date = 7/16/16; substance = Jet A, diesel; quantity = unknown. Mitzi Read
1/26/2017 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
1/27/2017 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter PRP Letter sent to Peninsula Airways Erin Gleason
1/27/2017 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter PRP Letter sent to Alaska Dept. of Transportation and Public Facilities Erin Gleason
1/27/2017 Update or Other Action Sent work plan request letter to Pen Air. Work plan due May 1, 2017. Erin Gleason
1/27/2017 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80028 name: Fuel Dispensing System Erin Gleason
2/8/2017 Update or Other Action Site characterization work plan received from S&W Erin Gleason
2/13/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed characterization work plan from S&W. Requested additions/changes. Revised work plan due March 15, 2017. Erin Gleason
2/21/2017 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with PenAir, S&W, and ADEC to discuss work plan revisions. Work plan revisions deadline has been extended to March 15th, 2017. Erin Gleason
5/10/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Shannon & Wilson, Inc. submitted a revised work plan via email on 4/25/2017. Erin Gleason
5/23/2017 Update or Other Action Sent email to S&W. Final work plan is due June 1, 2017. Erin Gleason
6/2/2017 Update or Other Action overdue work plan letter sent to B. Whilden at PenAir. Erin Gleason
6/9/2017 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with ADEC, Shannon and Wilson, and PenAir. The new site objective is close with institutional controls. S&W will submit revised work plan to ADEC with additional soil borings and land farm plan by June 30th, 2017. Erin Gleason
7/12/2017 Site Characterization Workplan Approved ADEC approves the June 30th 2017 work plans with the amendments detail in the July 6th email from Shannon and Wilson. The land farming section (called task 2) of the work plan is not approved and will be determined at a later date. Erin Gleason
8/23/2017 Update or Other Action PenAir filed chapter 11 bankruptcy on 8/7/2017. Erin Gleason
12/28/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received November 2017 Characterization report from Jake Tracy at Shannon and Wilson. ADEC will review and respond with any questions, comments, or required changes. Erin Gleason
5/2/2018 Update or Other Action Sent letter today requesting three revisions to the November 2017 characterization report. REeised report due back June 30th. Erin Gleason
5/23/2018 Update or Other Action ADEC has approved the transport and disposal of 15 cubic yards of contaminated soil to the Columbia Ridge Landfill. Erin Gleason
9/19/2018 Update or Other Action Sent overdue report letter to PenAir Erin Gleason
10/30/2018 Update or Other Action Revised 2018 report received from Shannon and Wilson on 9/24/2018. ADEC has review the report and it is now approved. During summer 2018, the supersacks of contaminated soil were shipped off site to the landfill in Oregon. Diesel range organics (DRO), benzene, PAH, and xylene remain above ADEC migration to groundwater cleanup level in surface soil. DRO is above 15,000 mg/kg at CS4, which is located next to the apron and aircraft hangar. Erin Gleason
10/30/2018 Update or Other Action Cumulative risk for the site is 1.48 10^-8 from benzene and xylene. Erin Gleason
10/30/2018 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 80028 Fuel Dispensing System. Erin Gleason
7/9/2019 Workplan Requested PenAir Cold Bay needs to do more work to vertically delineate the extent of contamination, assess vapor intrusion. ADEC sent letter on this date requesting a work plan by 9/1/2019. Erin Gleason
9/4/2019 Update or Other Action Sent overdue work plan letter. Erin Gleason
9/13/2019 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with Penair and their consultant Shannon and Wilson to discuss work plan for site. Erin Gleason
4/26/2022 Site Visit Site visit conducted on this date. ADEC was accompanied by ADOT personnel to access the former PenAir Hangars. ADOT personnel disclosed that the supersacks held in the hangar are unused concrete and all asbestos-containing materials from the Abandoned Fire Station site have been removed and barged out. The Abandoned Fire Station site has been approved to store PFAS-contaminated soil within the PenAir Hangars while awaiting barge shipment during construction/remediation activities in the future. The supersacks were contained on a concrete floor where evidence of staining was also obvious. Two Jet-A fuel ASTs (approximately 5,000-gal and 10,000-gal) were observed on the northeast side of the hangars. A lining was observed beneath the ASTs and surface water had built up and was held within the lining. No sheen was visible on the surface water. No odors, staining, or other obvious signs of new releases were present around the ASTs. The hangars are deteriorating and there is a presence of mold. A Hazardous Materials Assessment has been completed and the hangars are scheduled to be demolished within the next few years. Naomi Mason

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
23216 Peninsula Airways Cold Bay Airport UST #1 2538.26.002

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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
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