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Site Report: City of Saint Mary's Former Fuel Storage

Site Name: City of Saint Mary's Former Fuel Storage
Address: NE of Paukan Avenue & Airguard Road Intersection, Saint Marys, AK 99658
File Number: 2444.38.007
Hazard ID: 27180
Status: Active
Staff: Jennifer McGrath, 9072690298 jennifer.mcgrath@alaska.gov
Latitude: 62.052161
Longitude: -163.170848
Horizontal Datum:NAD83

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 2019, petroleum contaminated soil was discovered during demolition activities when a former carpentry shop building was removed as part of a bulk fuel upgrade project conducted by Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC). The contaminated soil was discovered on property owned by the City of Saint Mary's located northeast of the intersection of Paukan Avenue and Airguard Road, east of an existing AVEC tank farm. Approximately 3,930 cubic yards of contaminated soil were excavated and stockpiled approximately 750 feet northeast of the site. The area of excavation was cut into the side of a hill to a depth of 18 feet below the original grade. Laboratory analysis confirmed that petroleum contaminants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) remain in soil at the limits of the excavated area above ADEC cleanup levels. Review of historical photos from July 1963 revealed the former presence of two bulk above-ground storage tanks on the south side of the former carpentry shop, as well as numerous 55-gallon drums. Former fuel storage and handling activities are considered the likely sources of the historic contamination that was discovered. The new tank farm has since been constructed over this contaminated area.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
12/19/2019 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program (PPRP) staff Mark Sielaff. Spill no. 19279919601; spill date = 7/15/19; substance = unknown petroleum; quantity = unknown. Mitzi Read
1/31/2020 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
4/2/2020 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Sent Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) letter to Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (ADCCED). Erin Gleason
4/2/2020 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Sent PRP letter to City of Saint Marys. Erin Gleason
4/6/2020 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Sent PRP letter to Catholic Bishops of Northern Alaska. Erin Gleason
4/13/2020 Workplan Requested Work plan request letter sent to the City of Saint Mary's, Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska (CBNA), and Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED). Erin Gleason
5/28/2020 Update or Other Action ADEC receives response from legal counsel for the Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska (CBNA). They acknowledge receiving the ADEC letter and will work with other responsible parties to achieve the work plan. Erin Gleason
7/17/2020 Update or Other Action On July 16th, 2020 the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC) contractor discovered pockets of petroleum contamination along the southwest border of the new tank farm site. The contamination had a diesel odor and was located within the top two feet of soil. The soil was excavated and stockpiled near the 2019 material, but kept separate with a liner. Erin Gleason
7/21/2020 Update or Other Action On July 18th and 19th, 2020 AVEC discovered sheen on surface and groundwater in a trench while working on their tank farm and power plant upgrade project. The contamianted water was pumped from the trench, treated, and discharged to the ground surface. On July 20th, 2020 the AVEC contractors excavated and stockpiled 267 cubic yards of soil that exhibited petroleum odors. The soil was stockpiled and secured with the soil from 2019. Erin Gleason
7/22/2020 Update or Other Action Received letter for Catholic Bishop of North Alaska with information regarding other PRPs for the site based on a records review of their leases, easements, and deeds for the property. Erin Gleason
7/31/2020 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter PRP letter sent to Alaska Village Electric Cooperative on this date. Erin Gleason
7/31/2020 Workplan Requested ADEC sent a letter on this date to all responsible parties requesting a work plan to address the 3,930 cyd of soil from 2019 and the 267 cyd of soil from 2020 that is stockpiled off site. The work plan is due by August 31, 2020. Because the area is an active contaminated site, any additional work such as construction of buildings or excavation of soil will require an ADEC approved work plan in place prior to any work. Erin Gleason
8/10/2020 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with ADEC and AVEC to discuss PRP status and next steps on this date. Erin Gleason
8/11/2020 Update or Other Action 267 cubic yards of contaminated material was excavated from the southwest corner of the new tank farm site (see map) and added to the #2 stockpile from 2019. Erin Gleason
8/28/2020 Update or Other Action Deadline for work plan was extended to January 30th, 2021 per request of AVEC. Erin Gleason
9/11/2020 Update or Other Action Received data on 9/2 for the 267 cyd of soil that was excavated from the new tank farm area and placed into the stockpile #2 to the 2019 excavation. The material from 2020 exceeds migration to groundwater cleanup levels for diesel range organics (DRO), naphthalene, and xylenes. Erin Gleason
9/11/2020 Update or Other Action 400 cubic yards of potentially contaminated soil was taken from the southwest corner of the new tank farm site and put in the City of Saint Mary's gravel pit. Three analytical samples were collected and they are awaiting results. Analytical data received on 9/2 shows all COC below cleanup levels. Erin Gleason
9/23/2020 Meeting or Teleconference Held PRP meeting held via teleconference on this date. AVEC, ADEC, CBNA, and City of Saint Mary were present. DCCED was unable to attend. ADEC highlighted the need for a work plan to be in place by next spring so work may be conducted in summer 2021. PRP group agrees to work together on work plan. They will meet and report back to ADEC on plans. Erin Gleason
11/17/2020 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) contaminated sites program has reviewed the deed regarding Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development (ADCCED) ownership of Tract A of United States Survey 2984 in Saint Mary’s, Alaska. In accordance with Alaska Statute 46.03.822 (k), ADEC no longer views ADCCED as a potential responsible party (PRP) for this property at this time because it was acquired by ADCCED by default. Erin Gleason
1/7/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC received report from AVEC on 12/9/2020 for the characterization and excavation of diesel contaminated soil at the Saint Mary's tank farm and former fuel storage. ADEC has reviewed the report and requests revisions. Letter sent to AVEC. Erin Gleason
2/18/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received revised report from AVEC on 1/20/21. ADEC has reviewed report and requests additional information. Letter sent to AVEC on this date. Erin Gleason
2/19/2021 Workplan Requested Sent data gap analysis letter to responsible parties on this date. Complete characterization of soil and water contamination needs to be determined in the horizontal and vertical direction before site can be considered for closure. Erin Gleason
3/17/2021 Site Characterization Report Approved Received revised report from AVEC on 3/1/21. ADEC has reviewed the report and it is now approved. Soil from “clean stockpile” will need to be tested for PAH before it can be disposed of. Letter sent to AVEC on 3/17/21. Erin Gleason
3/23/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received work plan from AVEC on behalf of all responsible parties on 2/16/21. ADEC will reviewed the work plan and requests changes. Letter sent on this date with comment tracking matrix. Erin Gleason
10/27/2021 Update or Other Action Received letter from legal counsel for City of Saint Mary's requesting that ADEC notice other potentially responsible parties. ADEC will consult with Alaska Department of Law (ADOL) and respond. Erin Gleason
2/7/2022 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Potentially Responsible Party Letters sent to Standard Oil Company of California (with Information Request) and the Department of Defense, Department of the Army. Naomi Mason
2/10/2022 Update or Other Action Letter sent to Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC) to address data gap concerns, stockpiles, and the proposed landfarm location. Naomi Mason
2/16/2022 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with representatives from the City of Saint Mary's, AVEC, and CBNA via teleconference to discuss next steps for the Former Fuel Storage site. Travis/Peterson (TPECI, representing AVEC) is working to revise work plan for stockpiles and landfarm. Naomi Mason
2/17/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received work plan from DNA Environmental (DNA) on behalf of CBNA and the City of Saint Mary's on 12/29/2021. ADEC reviewed the work plan and requests changes. Letter sent on this date to DNA with comment tracking matrix. Naomi Mason
3/7/2022 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Potential Responsible Party letter sent to the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) on this date. Naomi Mason
8/17/2022 Update or Other Action Received a response to comments from CBNA (DNA) on 8/12/2022. ADEC responded on this date. DNA is scheduled to be on-site by 9/19/2022 to conduct soil borings and groundwater monitoring wells. A work plan has not yet been approved by ADEC. Naomi Mason
10/5/2022 Update or Other Action Site characterization is postponed until 2023. Naomi Mason
12/3/2022 Meeting or Teleconference Held CSP meeting with DNR on this date to discuss Saint Mary's landfarm location. CSP reiterated that DEC supports this activity if it can be done in compliance with the relevant statutes and regulations. Naomi Mason
12/15/2022 Site Characterization Workplan Approved DNA Environmental (DNA) submitted a revised work plan on behalf of the Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska (CBNA) on December 8, 2022. The work plan is now approved. Site characterization work including soil borings, OIP, and construction of long-term monitoring wells with soil and groundwater sampling, is set to occur in summer/fall 2023. Naomi Mason
3/17/2023 Site Characterization Workplan Approved On 3/15/2023, the DNR OHA sent a letter to all responsible parties and ADEC stating that they concur with the finding of No Historic Properties Adversely Affected. A minimum distance of 50 meters must be maintained from the known cemetery, after the soil has been remediated, the slope must be restored and native grasses must be reseeded. On this date, ADEC sent a work plan approval letter to AVEC and all other responsible parties to proceed with landfarm construction in accordance with all local, state, and federal regulations. Naomi Mason
12/23/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received 2023 Site Characterization Report for review. Jennifer McGrath
2/28/2025 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Sent Site Characterization Report comments to RP. Jennifer McGrath
5/21/2025 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with RP (CBNA), Consultant (DNA Environmental), and RP's lawyer to discuss comments made on 2024 Site Assessment Report, data gaps, the need for analytical samples, and steps needed to move forward. DEC agreed to review comments sent and send revised version. Jennifer McGrath
6/4/2025 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Sent revised comments to RP (CBNA) and consultant (DNA Environmental). Jennifer McGrath

Contaminant Information

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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
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