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Site Report: NARL - Sitewide PFAS

Site Name: NARL - Sitewide PFAS
Address: Near Former NARL Airstrip and Imikpuk Lake, Barrow, AK 99723
File Number: 310.38.037
Hazard ID: 26855
Status: Active
Staff: Kathleen Iler-Galau, 9074512153 kathleen.iler-galau@alaska.gov
Latitude: 71.334341
Longitude: -156.652633
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

This database record includes general information about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination at the former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory (NARL) in Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow). In 2016, the Navy identified Imikpuk Lake as a drinking water source within 1-mile downgradient of a known release of PFAS at the Airstrip site. In 2017, the Navy conducted an investigation of PFAS in Imikpuk Lake; during this investigation, in four out of five surface water samples PFOS and PFOA were detected at concentrations exceeding the United States Environmental Protection Agency lifetime health advisory (LHA) for drinking water of 70 parts per trillion. In September 2017, an advisory was issued to not use Imikpuk Lake as a source of drinking or cooking water. Minimal sampling of soils at the Airstrip and Powerhouse site indicate PFOS present at the Airstrip site above ADEC Cleanup Levels. Currently, the PFAS investigation has been expanded to include assessment and further investigation of eight potential PFAS release areas: three on current Navy property (at the Airstrip Site) and five on transferred property. 2023 Update - All source areas investigated during the SI will continue to the RI phase. These sites include the Airstrip, Powerhouse, and the five sites on transferred property: Former FTA, Building 554, Building 142, Drum Yard, and the Powerhouse Drum Yard. Upon completion of the investigations, specific areas may be assigned individual Hazard IDs and tracked separately. Please see site-specific database entries to learn more about an individual NARL PFAS-contaminated site.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
3/21/2017 Meeting or Teleconference Held Restoration Advisory Board meeting held in Barrow. John Carnahan
6/8/2017 Update or Other Action Navy submits draft work plan to conduct initial PFAS sampling at NARL. Sampling plan based on other Navy sites. John Carnahan
9/14/2017 Meeting or Teleconference Held Navy holds public meeting at Inupiat Heritage Center in Barrow, AK. John Carnahan
9/20/2017 Meeting or Teleconference Held Restoration Advisory Board meeting held in Barrow. John Carnahan
3/15/2018 Update or Other Action Navy announces that they installed signage at four different locations around Imukpuk Lake and determined there was no need to provide alternate drinking water to hunters that use the lake to support hunting trips, since alternate (primary) water source is available in community. Recognize cultural resource of Imukpuk Lake and plans to work with ATSDR and HSS to conduct outreach to community. Signage states: Warning - This lake water (Imukpuk Lake) is not recommended for drinking or cooking. Chemicals (PFOS and PFOA) present above EPA lifetime health advisory. Contact Navy Public Affairs Office at 360-396-1030 or PAO_feedback@navy.mil for information. (www.navfac.mil/PFASBARROW) John Carnahan
4/19/2018 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
9/19/2018 Meeting or Teleconference Held Restoration Advisory Board meeting held in Barrow. John Carnahan
9/24/2018 Update or Other Action DEC sends information letter to Navy regarding new technical memorandum: Action Levels for PFAS in Water and Guidance on Sampling Groundwater and Drinking Water. John Carnahan
9/25/2018 Update or Other Action Sent generic PFAS information letter - PFAS Contamination at Naval Arctic Research Laboratory (NARL), Imukpuk Lake and Airstrip Site - to Navy. John Carnahan
1/14/2019 CERCLA PA Receive DRAFT Preliminary Assessment for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances at Former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory Barrow and Associated Special Areas. John Carnahan
2/7/2019 Update or Other Action Provide DEC review and comments on draft PA for NARL. John Carnahan
3/15/2019 Update or Other Action DEC receives response to comments on draft PA. John Carnahan
3/26/2019 CERCLA PA DEC provides final comments on navy's response to initial comments on draft PA. John Carnahan
4/17/2019 Update or Other Action Restoration advisory board (RAB) meeting held in Utqiagvik. Update provided on Umiat and others. John Carnahan
7/29/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Very brief comments provided on the Sitewide Sampling and Analysis Plan. Gretchen Caudill
8/21/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other WP Approved. The objectives of this work plan include: determining current concentrations of PFAS in groundwater, soil, and surface water (Imipuk Lake) at the site and evaluating potential unacceptable risk. Gretchen Caudill
9/21/2021 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting held with Barrow NARL stakeholders to discuss the continuation of PFAS investigations at the Airstrip and UIC-NARL sites (Powerhouse location). NAVFAC, UIC, NSB, CH2M and ADEC were present. Work is planned for 2022. At the Powerhouse/UIC-NARL site, a PFAS Site Inspection will be conducted to determine presence/absence of PFAS at past storage and training locations identified by the previous sitewide PFAS PA. New active zone monitoring wells will be installed and sampled at the Powerhouse site. Existing wells will also be used for sample collection. Soil samples will also be collected. At the Airstrip site, a PFAS Remedial Investigation will be conducted to determine levels of PFAS substances in soils and active zone water. Active zone water flow direction and gradient will be analyzed. Surface water and sediment samples will be collected at Imikpuk Lake locations and at North Salt Lagoon locations. Kelly Walker
9/28/2022 Update or Other Action Bulk action update - ADEC approved the Final Sampling and Analysis Plan - PFAS SI/RI and the SIRI WMP on this date. The SI will be conducted at five potential release areas identified on transferred property formerly owned by the Navy (including the Powerhouse site), and the RI will be conducted at the Airstrip site. Risk assessment activities and PFAS reporting will be tracked under the NARL - Sitewide PFAS Site, File No. 310.38.037. Cascade Galasso-Irish
9/28/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Bulk action entry on the NARL Airstrip Fuel Spill and Sitewide PFAS - on this date, ADEC approved the Final Sampling and Analysis Site Inspection, Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Upkeagvik Inupiat Corporation - Naval Arctic Research Laboratory and Remedial Investigation, Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Airstrip Area, Dated July 2022, and the associated Waste Management Plan. Activities will include an SI and RI at the NARL to investigate PFAS. Cascade Galasso-Irish
11/2/2022 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80216 name: NARL - Sitewide PFAS Cascade Galasso-Irish
12/5/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Bulk action entry - on this date, ADEC approved the Final 2021 Data Summary Report, Diesel Range Organic Fractionation and Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substances sampling at the Airstrip and Powerhouse Sites, Narl, Utqiagvik, dated August, 2022. ADEC agreed with the recommendation for sampling of PFAS at the Powerhouse site. Additional pre and post silica gel data is required to assess the DRO aliphatic concentrations in inland wells at the Airstrip and Powerhouse sites. Site-specific active zone groundwater cleanup levels, as established in the two sites respective Decision Documents, may need to be re-evaluated during the 2023 Five Year Review. Cascade Galasso-Irish
12/14/2023 CERCLA SI On this date, DEC received and approved the Final Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Site Inspection Report, Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corporation – Naval Arctic Research Laboratory. The report detailed SI activities conducted at five separate PFAS source areas; the Former FTA, Building 554, Building 142, the Drum Yard, and the Powerhouse Drum Yard. All sites were recommended for further investigation in the RI phase. This investigation is currently on a separate timeline than the RI planned at the Airstrip site. Cascade Galasso-Irish
3/4/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided comments regarding the Draft Phase 1 Remedial Investigation for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances at the Airstrip Site Former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory Barrow Utqiagvik, Alaska, dated January 2024. The report describes the 2022 remedial investigation activities (RI) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) – Naval Arctic Research Laboratory (NARL). Surface water, sediment, groundwater, and soil samples were collected and analyzed for PFAS compounds to define the nature and extent of contamination at the site. The report recommended further investigations to characterize and assess the risk that PFAS poses to human health and the environment. Ginna Quesada
4/1/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC completed a review of the response to comments and red line strikeout for Final Phase 1 Remedial Investigation for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances at the Airstrip Site Former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory Barrow Utqiagvik, Alaska, dated March 2024. Sarah Bernhardt
7/5/2024 CERCLA RI Report Approved DEC received and approved the final Final Phase 1 Remedial Investigation for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances at the Airstrip Site Former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory Barrow, Utqiagvik, Alaska, dated April 2024 on 7/5/2024. Sarah Bernhardt
9/4/2024 Meeting or Teleconference Held August 29 2024 Barrow RAB Navy/USAF sites DEC staff attended the annual 2024 Barrow RAB on August 29. This meeting was held in-person in Utqiagvik, AK for the first time since 2019. A virtual option was available for those not able to travel. In attendance was US Air Force (USAF), US Navy, ADEC, Galen Driscoll, Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation (UIC), North Slope Borough, Bureau of Land Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Brice Engineering LLC, and 10 community representatives. USAF presented updates for Barter Island Long Range Radar Site (LRRS), Bullen Point Short Range Radar Site (SRRS), Oliktok LRRS, Point Barrow LRRS, Point Lay LRRS, and Cape Lisburne LRRS. US Navy provided updates for Point McIntyre, Icy Cape, and the former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory. USAF and US Navy answered and addressed numerous questions and concerns raised by the public. Several questions were focused on public outreach and engagement and the economic impact of cleanup activities conducted in and around North Slope Communities. Kathleen Iler-Galau

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details

Requirements

Description Details
Hazard ID Site Name File Number
556 NARL - Powerhouse Fuel Spill 310.38.013
557 NARL - Airstrip Fuel Spill 310.38.012
566 NARL - Naval Arctic Research Lab 310.38.008

Missing Location Data

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