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Site Report: Cold Bay Fort Randall-Asphalt Seeps

Site Name: Cold Bay Fort Randall-Asphalt Seeps
Address: SW of North-South Runway, Intersection w/E-W Runway, Cold Bay, AK 99571
File Number: 2538.38.019
Hazard ID: 2861
Status: Non-Qualifying
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 55.195162
Longitude: -162.729399
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

The drum burial area (DBA), formerly referred to as the asphalt seeps area (ASA) is located southwest of the intersection of the Cold Bay, East-West and North-South runways. The drum trenches are known as the north drum trench and the south drum trench, respectively. A removal action was completed at the site from May 2014 through July 2014. Approximately 1,853 tons of asphalt, contaminated soil, drums, and debris were removed. Only de minimis residual soil contamination remains. Groundwater is not impacted. This site is a duplicate of source area "Fort Randall Drum Burial Area" (Source Area ID 79884) under Cold Bay Fort Randall-E-West Runway, Hazard ID 2863, File Number 2538.38.019, and is therefore Non-Qualifying.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
8/30/1996 Update or Other Action U.S. Fish and Wildlife reported asphalt seeps in the tundra behind the Cold Bay runway. An eagle was stuck in the asphalt and rescued. A dead fox was reported in the asphalt. John Halverson
4/9/1998 Update or Other Action Have had informal negotiations with Corps and DOT regarding responsibility for the asphalt seeps. Walked the site with the Corps and its contractors on April 8 and 9th. Buried drums containing asphalt were found (drums visible at the ground surface are corroded through and asphalt was visible in them) between the road and the airstrip. The area where the fox was found in asphalt is downhill on the other side of the road. Concern was raised again over this area during a public meeting in Cold Bay on 4/8. John Halverson
11/30/1998 Update or Other Action ADEC sent a letter to the Corps requesting it investigate and cleanup the asphalt seep areas and buried drums under the FUDS program as part of the on-going Cold Bay cleanup projects. The size of the asphalt pools has grown over the past year based on visual inspections. John Halverson
5/27/1999 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC participated in a public meeting held by the Corps to inform residents on plan for FUDS cleanup in 1999. The Corps identified cleanup at the asphalt seeps as a potential project, but was still determining FUDS eligibility and priority. John Halverson
11/23/1999 Site Added to Database Asphalt. John Halverson
5/17/2001 Meeting or Teleconference Held A public meeting was held 5/10/2001 in Cold Bay with the Corp, ADEC and Jacobs Engineering to discuss the status and planned activities for the sites. Debra Caillouet
4/9/2002 Site Characterization Workplan Approved A supplemental workplan for the Collapsed Wooden Building, Asphalt Seeps, Stapp Creek and the East-West Runway was approved. Debra Caillouet
4/25/2002 Update or Other Action Staff participated in a site inspection and public meeting with the Army Corp of Engineers and Jacobs Engineering. The Beach Seep area is still present but there was no evidence of free product on the beach or seeping out of the bluff. The tide was out at the time we were on-site and we were able to inspect the tidal flat area and found no evidence of fuel product or harm to the near marine areas. We also reviewed the Stapp Creek area and the asphalt seeps in preparation for the RI work that will begin there next week. Jacobs presented to the community an overview of the activities that will be occurring with the RI and the following FS. The information was well received and there were only questions to clarify some of the activities. Debra Caillouet
11/19/2002 Site Characterization Report Approved Geophysical surveys in the Asphalt Seeps area revealed a new drum disposal area southeast of the previously discovered drum disposal area. Significantly, examination of the drums within the existing seeps revealed that the previously discovered drum disposal areas contain contaminants other than asphalt. Two groundwater probes were installed, one near the previously discovered drum burial area and the other near the newly discovered bury pit. Groundwater sampling revealed low levels of contamination. Soil beneath the existing asphalt seeps was found to be contaminated from the surface down to groundwater. Soils around the new burial pit showed low level concentrations of contaminants. Investigation of the seeps indicates an average thickness of asphalt of about 6 inches, extending over an approximately 150 foot by 350 foot area. Soil, sediment and fresh water sampling around the seeps revealed that the seeps have minimal impact on the surrounding soils or fresh water. Evaluation of remedial alternatives under the FS is recommended. Debra Caillouet
3/17/2004 Update or Other Action A draft proposed plan was reviewed and significant comments returned to the USACE. In general DEC agrees with the proposed actions, but believes the level of detail and the readability of the proposed plan should be improved. Debra Caillouet
4/22/2004 Proposed Plan The Proposed Plan for Six Formerly Used Defense Sites at Fort Randall, Cold Bay, Alaska was approved by the Acting Section Manager, John Halverson. The public comment period is April 26 to May 21 2004. A public meeting will be held May 3 in Cold Bay. Debra Caillouet
5/3/2004 Meeting or Teleconference Held A public meeting was held in Cold Bay to present the Proposed Plan to the community. Debra Caillouet
7/8/2004 Update or Other Action File number changed from 2538.38.007 to 2538.38.006 Sarah Cunningham
8/23/2004 Update or Other Action File number changed from 2538.38.006 to 2538.38.019 Sarah Cunningham
10/11/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Debra Caillouet
2/24/2011 Update or Other Action INPR received separating the Asphalt Seep area from the other Cold Bay FUDs. Debra Caillouet
1/11/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Removal Design Site Visit, Trip Report, Jan 2013. Geophysical survey confirmed size of two burial trenches. Debra Caillouet
9/30/2013 Site Characterization Workplan Approved 2013 Well Installation Work Plan, East-West Runway and Drum Burial Area, Fort Randall Formerly Used Defense Site, Cold Bay Alaska, Final September 2013 Debra Caillouet
3/13/2014 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other The draft Drum Removal Work Plan was reviewed. Debra Caillouet
5/23/2014 CERCLA Remedial Design/Remedial Action Plan Approved Cold Bay Drum Removal Work Plan, Cold Bay ACS Communication - Fort Randall, Drum Burial Area, Final May 2014 Debra Caillouet
11/10/2014 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Final 2013 Well Installation EWR & DBA Report, Fort Randall, November 2014 Debra Caillouet
11/13/2014 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Draft Cold Bay Drum Removal Action Report, Fort Randall, Drum Burial Area, November 2014. The report documents the removal and proper disposal of buried drums, debris, asphalt and tar from two burial trenches and the removal of surficial tar/asphalt. Debra Caillouet
8/31/2015 Update or Other Action This file has been partially archived at Alaska Archives Barcode 896973 Box 407 Susan Carberry
6/22/2016 Site Visit Performed a site visit at all Cold Bay FUDS sites and attended a public meeting to present upcoming work. Monte Garroutte
7/20/2017 Update or Other Action This site is a duplicate of source area "Fort Randall Drum Burial Area" (Source Area ID 79884) under Cold Bay Fort Randall-E-West Runway, Hazard ID 2863, File Number 2538.38.019, and is therefore Non-Qualifying. Erica Blake

Contaminant Information

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Description Details

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