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Site Report: Port Bailey Cannery

Site Name: Port Bailey Cannery
Address: S Side Kupreanof Straight, Dry Spruce Bay, Port Lions, AK 99550
File Number: 2638.38.002
Hazard ID: 284
Status: Active
Staff: Dawn Wilburn, 9072628200 dawn.wilburn@alaska.gov
Latitude: 57.931944
Longitude: -153.043056
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

Two fuel releases in 1985-1986 and 1989-1990 released approximately 500 gallons and 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel, respectively. Soil contamination was observed. The full extent of soil and/or groundwater contamination is undetermined at present. A site characterization workplan has been approved for implementation in the fall of 2002. Port Bailey Cannery is eight miles northwest of Port Lions. ADEC approved drinking water system in 1996. The Public Water System Identification (PWSID) 250281. In situ bioremediation effort was unsuccessful. A new asssessment and corrective action plan is required. Port Bailey Wild, Inc. filed for bankruptcy in early 2006 which postponed the foreclosure sale by First National Bank Alaska. Port Bailey Wild, Inc. terminated their remediation contractor and consultant, and in 2010 Port Bailey Wild, Inc. sold the cannery to PB Energy. October 4, 2013 a site characterization and soil screening was conducted at the old tank farm containment dike. Visual inspection of the site showed a sheen on the pooled water along the northern face of the old tank farm containment dike when the soils were disturbed, and staining was observed on the soils not covered by water. Contamination observed outside the old tank farm containment dike was limited to below the filter pipe. Soil samples collected detected DRO at depths of 6 to 36 inches below ground surface at 2,420 mg/kg to 68,700 mg/kg within the old tank farm containment dike and at a depth of 42 inches below ground surface at 16,200 mg/kg below the filer and drain box outside the old tank farm containment dike.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
11/5/2002 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking, added to database by Alyce Hughey. Donald Seagren
11/5/2002 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Reviewed and approved work plan. Donald Seagren
11/12/2002 Site Added to Database DRO. Site added to database by Alyce Hughey. Donald Seagren
3/25/2003 Update or Other Action Wards Cove has sold Port Bailey to Port Bailey Wild Enterprises, LLC owned by Robert Gustafson & Robert Shane. Responsibility for cleanup will be divided between new owners and Wards Cove, as listed in the purchase agreement. Donald Seagren
3/27/2003 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting between ADEC/Ron Rozak/Rex Dawson to discuss site assessment, site remediation, in-situ bioremediation proposal, cleanup levels, etc. Donald Seagren
4/14/2003 Site Characterization Report Approved Report approved. Still under review is proposed Method 3 ACL's. RP told to proceed with development of remediation work plan so that work may begin this summer. Donald Seagren
6/13/2003 Cleanup Plan Approved Approved remediation work plan, dated June 10, 2003, after discussions with contractor and consultant. They addressed all concerns in Department's letter requesting additional information/clarification. Donald Seagren
11/24/2003 Update or Other Action Received notification that Robert S. Shane II is sole owner of Port Bailey Wild Enterprises. Donald Seagren
4/14/2004 Update or Other Action File number assigned and entered into the Fileroom DB and CS DB. Alyce Hughey
6/14/2004 Update or Other Action Reviewed report on 2003 site remediation work. Issued written approval of a revised sampling plan. Required samples from downgradient shoreline seeps if sufficient quantity is available. Donald Seagren
6/14/2004 Meeting or Teleconference Held Met with Ron Rozak, Rex Dawson, Robert Shane, Paul Horwath. Reviewed 2003 work and plans for additional work in 2004. Revised sampling plan verbally approved. Number of samples increased and 2 seep water samples is possible. Sampling to be done in 2 weeks. Donald Seagren
11/22/2004 Update or Other Action Telephone call with Bill Weisfield (206-726-5245) President of Wards Cove concerning the report on the tank cleaning/decommissioning/removal. He is reviewing records, interviewing past and present employees and will present a report on the tank cleaning/removal process. This is to ensure that no contaminated material was improperly disposed of. Donald Seagren
11/29/2004 Update or Other Action Telephone call with Bill Weisfield and Jamie Halliday concerning tanks cleaning and decommissioning. Jamie supervised the work. Tanks and piping were drained and material burned in on-site incinerator. Wood scaffolding was burned in the incinerator. After emptying of majority of contents, tanks and piping were drained of residuals into drip pans and burned on site. Tanks were cut open and remaining material burned. Tanks were then cut up and stored on site. A detailed written report will be sent to ADEC. Donald Seagren
12/7/2004 Update or Other Action Reviewed the tank decommissioning report from Wards Cove Packing Company. The above ground storage tanks were properly cleaned, cut up and disposed of or left for re-use by the new owner. Nothing further is required from Wards Cove in relation to the decommissioning of the above ground storage tanks. Donald Seagren
5/27/2005 Update or Other Action Received unsigned Bio-Remediation Action Plan apparently from remediation contractor. No cover letter or anything from site owner, Robert Shane, indicating any proposed course of action. This appears to be a continuation of an on-going disagreement between the qualified 3rd party consultant (Rozak Engineering) and the remediation contractor (Rex Dawson) due to the result not being what the contractor promised. Donald Seagren
8/3/2005 Update or Other Action Reviewed file. Have received no response to 2 previous letters. Sent a Certified Letter requiring a response within 30 days. Further ADEC actions are dependent on receipt of the required sampling and analysis report and project status update and timetable for completion. Donald Seagren
8/22/2005 Update or Other Action Responded via e-mail to the contractor comments on the Rozak Engineering sampling report. No analytical data was included. Once again I requested a copy of the Rozak Engineering report. The adequacy of the remediation process and/or what future work may be required cannot be accessed without receipt and review of the Rozak Engineering sampling and analysis report. Donald Seagren
9/19/2005 Update or Other Action Reviewed 2004 sampling report & file. Discussed with supervisor. Sent review comment letter to RP requiring submittal of reports stated in approved work plan, plans for ex-situ remediation, suggested meeting after required reports & information is received by ADEC. 45-day time frame allowed for receipt of a response. Donald Seagren
9/20/2005 GIS Position Updated Using Figures 1 and 2 from a Site Characterization Report, Port Bailey Cannery, from Rozak Engineering, dated March 27, 2002, in conjunction with TopoZone Pro, entered the coordinates for this site. Metadata includes USGS Topo Maps 1:63K, TopoZone Pro Street Maps, Black and White Aerial Photo, on a Medium Size Map, View Scale 1:24,000, Coordinate Datum NAD83. Moderate to High degree of confidence in accuracy of location. Alyce Hughey
10/21/2005 Update or Other Action Telephone call with Robert Shane (owner), Don Seagren & Paul Horwath (ADEC) to discuss project status and plans for moving forward. The reports and data will be reviewed and a plan developed early this winter. Once the draft plan has been reviewed, a meeting will be scheduled to finalize the plan. Implementation will begin in the Spring of 2006. Donald Seagren
12/9/2005 Update or Other Action Received written notification from the facility owner that he has terminated the services of his current engineer (Rozak) and remediation contractor (Dawson). He is searching for a new consultant to review the files and develop a corrective action plan for the facility. Donald Seagren
12/27/2005 Update or Other Action Telephone call with Bob Gordon, Aquatic Services in Florida. they would like to purchase the facility to make a research station. Provided him contact information for Robert Shane and his wife. Briefly discussed contamination issues related to the facility. He had already talked to Ron Rozak about the contamination and site cleanup. Donald Seagren
1/10/2006 Update or Other Action Discussed the site and contamination issues with a real estate agent today. The site is listed on the First National Bank Alaska property sale list. The site appears to be in foreclosure and was scheduled to be sold today. The sale was postponed at the last minute. Sale has not been rescheduled at this time. Donald Seagren
1/13/2006 Update or Other Action Port Bailey Wild Enterprises, Inc. has file Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize and forestall the foreclosure sale by the bank. They have approximately a 45-day window. Assuming they maintain control of the property, they are planning on hiring Geo-Engineers (Anchorage consulting firm) to conduct further environmental work at the facility. Donald Seagren
3/13/2006 Update or Other Action Fielded a call from a prospective purchaser in Miami, Florida. Discussed contamination issues, potential cleanup costs and other related issues. Suggested they contact Rozak Engineering to discuss the site details as Ron Rozak has been at the site conducting assessments. Donald Seagren
3/13/2006 Update or Other Action Notified by the AGs office that the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing was dismissed by the Court on March 10, 2006. The foreclosure sale, scheduled for 16 March 16, 2006, should now go forward. Donald Seagren
6/22/2006 Update or Other Action Port Bailey Wild, Inc. has hired a new consultant. The consultant will not be able to begin working on the site for a few weeks. Port Bailey Wild, Inc. was requested to install temporary fencing around tank farm area as an interim measure to restrict human and animal access. Received verification that the fencing and signage has been installed as requested. Donald Seagren
3/14/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Donald Seagren
6/12/2008 Update or Other Action Site transferred from Don Seagren to Paul Horwath per Linda Nuechterlein. Alyce Hughey
8/6/2010 Update or Other Action PB Energy became the landowner of record as of August 6, 2010. Paul Horwath
4/25/2013 Update or Other Action Site transferred from Paul Horwath to Peter Campbell per Paul Horwath. Alyce Hughey
4/29/2013 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Letter sent to Wards Cove Packing Company requesting that they assume the lead for environmental cleanup after the current landowner allowed the site to languish with no remedial action for over 10 years. Peter Campbell
6/26/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received a letter from Wards Cove outlining a plan for their consultant to visit the remote site to begin characterization of the remaining contamination. The initial site visit will include an assessment of available resources on site, PID screening of subsurface soils and minimal soil sampling for DRO. Peter Campbell
12/18/2013 Site Characterization Report Approved Reviewed Contaminated Soils Site Characterization report for the Port Bailey Cannery. Agree to the development of a site characterization work plan based on the information and data collected from the October 4, 2013 site inspection. Peter Campbell
1/9/2014 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 71263 tank farm release. Alyce Hughey
3/6/2014 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed and approved the Port Bailey Cannery Contaminated Soils Corrective Action Plan for the summer of 2014. Peter Campbell
6/26/2015 Update or Other Action Discussion with consultant on interim sampling guidelines for soil treatment cell. Peter Campbell
8/3/2015 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed the 2015 Port Bailey Summary Report. Mean concentrations of DRO in the land farm are decreasing, but at a slow rate, from a high of 34,129 in 2004 to 16,125 in 2015. The concentrations were unchanged from last year. Peter Campbell
12/22/2015 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Review 2015 Port Bailey Progress Report and Request for Conditional Closure. Wards Cove, through their consultant has requested conditional closure with Institutional Controls. Bacteria has been added to the treatment cell while agitating the water and soils in an attempt to decrease petroleum concentrations. DRO concentrations in the treatment cell range from 10,300 to 16,300 mg/kg. Samples were collected from soils and water at a bluff edge. Soil concentrations ranged from 599 to 56,100 mg/kg DRO. Water samples range from 1.6 to 2.8 mg/l DRO. Wards Cove has requested a meeting with ADEC in December 2015 to discuss closure options. Peter Campbell
12/30/2015 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with consultant and Wards Cove manager to discuss management strategies, actions to date and a path to site closure. Peter Campbell
5/20/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Review and approve "2016 Port Bailey Cannery Work Plan" dated May, 2016. The work plan calls for additional bioremediation work at the tank farm area, and sampling of groundwater that discharges at the bluff to the ocean. Peter Campbell
3/23/2017 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 71263 tank farm release. Peter Campbell
4/7/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Review 2016 Port Bailey Report and request for site closure. Conduct comprehensive review of site conditions and summarize findings for presentation to management. DRO concentrations at site exceed maximum allowable levels. Cannot close site at this time without further site characterization, remedial actions or a formal risk assessment. Peter Campbell
8/27/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Sent RP and Travis/Peterson Environmental Consulting, Inc. a comments and closure evaluation for the 2016 Port Bailey Report, dated January 4, 2017. An updated report was requested to be submitted by December 2020. ADEC cannot close the Port Bailey contaminated site with institutional controls at this time. At this time, it is unknown if contamination remains onsite that is above cleanup levels and the site has not been fully characterized.DEC suggests the below options for potential pathways toward site closure: 1.Complete additional sampling and analysis of soil samples to determine current soil concentrations and the residual mass of contamination outside of the tank farm area. The analyses needs to include DRO, GRO, VOCs, and PAHs. AND 2.If after completing item #1, if the residual soil concentrations remain elevated, two options may be pursued: a.Complete additional soil remediation to reduce the high concentrations remaining in soil between the former tank farm and the bluff; b.Conduct a risk assessment with up to date soils data in order to propose and support alternate soil cleanup levels. If VOCs and PAH concentrations are low, the elevated DRO and GRO concentrations may not pose an unacceptable risk. A risk assessment could support a higher alternative cleanup level that might allow the site to be closed in spite of the high DRO and GRO concentrations. Jessica Hall
7/19/2021 Workplan Requested Sent PB Energy Inc. and Wards Cove Packing Company a Work Plan Request Letter and Information Request Letter. Jessica Hall
11/10/2021 Update or Other Action Request for an extension for the work plan to be due February 2022. ADEC approves this extension. Jessica Hall
3/21/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC sent RP comments for the “Port Bailey Cannery 2022 Work Plan”, dated February 1, 2022 ADEC requested a revised work plan be submitted . Jessica Hall
4/8/2022 Update or Other Action ADEC received an update that comments sent on the work plan in March are still being addressed and a new work plan will be submitted to ADEC soon. Jessica Hall
9/10/2024 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter A Potentially Responsible Letter was sent to the new corporate landowner (as of 2023). Dawn Wilburn

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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
Physical Location: 410 Willoughby