Site Report: Drift River Facility Sphere Bldg
| Site Name: | Drift River Facility Sphere Bldg |
|---|---|
| Address: | ~30 Miles W of Kenai; Mouth of Drift River; W Side of Cook Inlet; Redoubt Bay, Kenai, AK 99611 |
| File Number: | 2320.38.090 |
| Hazard ID: | 27305 |
| Status: | Active |
| Staff: | Dawn Wilburn, 9072628200 dawn.wilburn@alaska.gov |
| Latitude: | 60.589601 |
| Longitude: | -152.164404 |
| Horizontal Datum: | NAD83 |
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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
A historical spill was discovered in 1995 that impacted the eastern side of the Sphere Building at the Drift River Facility, located along the inside of the foundation, and at the southern end of the 42-Inch-diameter (ID) pipeline. A pressure test was conducted and confirmed the line was not leaking, indicating the discovered release was associated with prior pipeline operations and maintenance activities. During 2019 Drift River Terminal (DRT) decommissioning activities, excavation at the Sphere Building confirmed the presence of residual contamination associated with the 42-ID pipeline. The Sphere Building and the Ballast Water Tank are both located at the southern end of the DRT facility, the actual locations where contamination was identified are approximately 470 feet apart. Contamination at the Ballast Water Tank was identified during the installation of secondary containment. A figure from the 2011 Work Plan for Decommissioning of the Ballast Water Treatment Landfarm, showing that contaminated soil was only encountered along the east side of the Ballast Tank. The figure also shows the location of the Sphere Building, which is west of the Ballast Tank and outside the tank’s bermed containment area, indicating no connection between the two impacted areas. Additionally, the 2019 contamination observations at the Sphere Building indicate the probable source as crude oil from the pipelines that connect in the Sphere Building. Following the initial discovery of the Ballast Water Tank contaminated soil, approximately 1,400 cubic yards of soil were removed and treated in the landfarm. The extent of residual contamination remaining along the east side of the Ballast Tank containment is unknown.
Action Information
| Action Date | Action | Description | DEC Staff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/16/2020 | Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program | Spill transferred by PPRP staff Mike Evans. Spill no. 95239900101; spill date = 1/1/1995; substance = crude oil; quantity = unknown; lat/long = 60.589451, -152.164371 (WGS84, CS Web Map); description: A legacy spill of unknown quantity was initially discovered in 1995 and included in a spill summary report on 1/28/2020. The spill area was encountered again during decommissioning activities on 6/9/2019. Soil contamination was discovered within the foundation of the Sphere building near where a vertical pipeline entered the structure. Spill was originally added to Hazard ID 3762, but was later split out as a separate site on 2/17/2021. | Mitzi Read |
| 2/17/2021 | Site Added to Database | A new site has been added to the database | Mitzi Read |
| 7/14/2021 | Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other | Sent RP comments on Delineation Work Plan Drift River Terminal, dated July, 2021. Requested updated work plan be submitted for approval. | Jessica Hall |
| 10/6/2021 | Site Characterization Workplan Approved | Sent RP approval for the “Delineation Work Plan Drift River Terminal”, dated September, 2021. Work is ongoing at the site and expected to continue through the Fall of 2022. Historical releases of crude oil reportedly occurred near the former Sphere Building, which represents the southern 42-inch-diameter pipeline spill location reported in 1995. The above ground portion of the Sphere Building was removed in early 2019, but the foundation remains. Piping was exposed and oil was observed on the water pooling within the foundation area to the northwest. Visible oil on water was removed with absorbent pads, but oil-stained soil was evident in the subsurface between the foundation and the 30-inch-diameter line. Subsurface piping was cleaned, capped, and abandoned in place. Additional clean soil was graded on site to prevent water accumulation. Soil characterization at site is sill needed. | Jessica Hall |
| 3/3/2022 | Update or Other Action | Attached February 10, 1998 EPA consent order to the database. | Jessica Hall |
| 9/11/2023 | Site Characterization Report Approved | Sent RP approval letter for Drift River Terminal Site Characterization report dated August 2023.This report summarizes site characterization activities (soil borings and groundwater sampling) at 9 different DEC contaminated sites within the Drift River Terminal facility. More site characterization is needed at most sites and DEC requested a new site characterization work plan. | Dawn Wilburn |
| 9/11/2023 | Site Characterization Report Approved | Sent RP approval letter for Drift River Terminal Site Characterization report dated August 2023.This report summarizes site characterization activities (soil borings and groundwater sampling) at 10 different DEC contaminated sites within the Drift River Terminal facility. More site characterization is needed at most sites and DEC requested a new site characterization work plan. | Dawn Wilburn |
| 5/28/2024 | Site Characterization Workplan Approved | Reviewed and approved the revised "Site Characterization Work Plan - Former Drift River Terminal," dated May 2024. This work plan proposes soil and groundwater site characterization activities at 9 different DEC contaminated sites within the Drift River Terminal facility. | Dawn Wilburn |
Contaminant Information
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Control Type
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Requirements
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No associated sites were found.