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Site Report: FAA Birches Radio Station

Site Name: FAA Birches Radio Station
Address: North Bank of Yukon River, ~45 Miles West of Tanana; Birches; Near Montana Creek, Tanana, AK 99777
File Number: 780.38.016
Hazard ID: 3086
Status: Active
Staff: Sophia Bracio-Martinez, 9074511682 sophia.bracio@alaska.gov
Latitude: 65.134601
Longitude: -153.556035
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 Birches Radio Station is located approximately 75 yards inland from the shore on the north bank of the Yukon River, approximately 45 miles west of Tanana. It was part of the Alaska Communications System which originally began when in 1900 a Congressional Act provided for the development of military telegraph and cable lines. The telegraph and cable lines were superseded by radio communication over the years. The operation of the ACS was assigned to the Army until 1962 then transferred to the Air Force. The Air Force operated the ACS until it was sold to RCA/Alascom in 1971. For the Birches Radio Station there are no records to indicate operation past Army management. The EPA Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) inspected the site for a Preliminary Assessment in September 1998. They found two large and intact concrete foundations, one of which had apparently served as an engine generator building. They found remains of a log platform and what appeared to have been a water supply system. They also found what appeared to be the remains of the antenna array. No evidence of potential contamination, soil staining, or debris such as drums was found. No samples were taken. In 1999, EPA determined the site qualified for a no further action designation under CERCLA. CERCLIS ID AKFSN1002083, FUDS # F10AK1045 The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted a site visit on 9/8/06 and found the remaining infrastructure to include: concrete slabs, a 3-inch aboveground fuel pipeline that runs 150-200 feet from the tank farm area to the edge of the Yukon River, as well as a drinking water well and wastewater leaching crib that were associated with the former quarters building. The towers, engine generators, and fuel tanks had been removed. Potential contaminants used during facility operations possibly include, PCBs from potential transformers, solvents used to clean VHF electronics equipment, fuel stored in bulk and used to power the facility, and potential for dumps or landfills. Samples have not been collected and contamination has not been confirmed.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
10/24/2002 Site Added to Database No indication of potential contamination in START report. Debra Caillouet
4/27/2017 Update or Other Action Letter sent to FAA on this date requesting further investigation and sampling at this VHF Communication Station. This site formerly contained engine generators and fuel tanks, and an aboveground fuel pipeline still remains. Sammi Castle
5/22/2017 Update or Other Action No DEC file was present at time of original database entry. A file number was assigned and a copy of the EPA file for CERCLIS ID AKFSN1002083 was obtained for documentation purposes. Database record was updated to record information regarding 2006 FAA site visit. FAA also added to site name to reflect potential site investigation by the FAA. Mitzi Read
11/29/2018 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC issues comments on the "Draft Work Plan Birches VHF Debris Removal and Release Investigation" dated October 2018. The objective of the work plan is to remove all remaining infrastructure and surface debris, and perform RI sampling at all locations that have the potential for contamination, including locations of former fuel tanks, generators, buildings, batteries, drums, and poles. Kara Kusche
2/4/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC reviews Responses to Comments and has no additional comments on the work plan. Final work plan to be submitted shortly. Kara Kusche
3/19/2019 Site Characterization Workplan Approved ADEC approves the "Final Work Plan, Birches VHF Debris Removal and Release Investigation" dated February 2019. Kara Kusche
1/29/2020 Site Characterization Report Approved ADEC received the draft debris removal and release investigation report on January 13th, 2020. ADEC has reviewed the report and it is now approved. During the 2019 release investigation, FAA removed a variety of solid waste from the site including power poles, empty drums, concrete slab, wires, and piping. They sampled six source areas; engine generator building, electronics building, crib/cistern, bulk fuel system area, antenna array area, and miscellaneous drums on the property. Surface and subsurface soil samples were collected at all source areas. Diesel range organics (DRO), lead, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds(VOCs) exceeded method two Table B1 and Table B2 cleanup levels in some locations. Further characterization and cleanup is needed. Erin Gleason
3/9/2020 Site Characterization Report Approved FAA submits the final debris removal and release investigation report. This report is the same as the draft, and remains approved. Kara Kusche
4/21/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC provides comments on the "Draft Work Plan Birches VHF Remedial Investigation and Removal Action" dated January 2021. The scope of the work plan is petroleum characterization in soil and groundwater at the Engine Generator area and Bulk Fuel area, and lead removal at the Antenna Array area. Lead at the Engine Generator area is not included in the work plan at this time. Kara Kusche
6/29/2021 Site Characterization Workplan Approved ADEC approves the "Final Work Plan, Birches VHF Remedial Investigation and Removal Action" dated June 2021. Kara Kusche
8/20/2021 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved Approval issued to transport and dispose 10 yards of lead contaminated soil out of state. Kara Kusche
2/16/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Revisions approved. FAA conducted a remedial investigation and removal action at the Birches VHF Station. Activities included UVOST and soil borings, monitoring well installation, soil sampling and groundwater sampling. Lead contaminated soil was removed at two former antenna arrays. At the Former Generator building 27 UVOST probes were advanced. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for GRO, DRO, RRO, PAH, and VOC. Soil contaminations included various VOC, PAH, DRO, GRO, and dibenzofuran. Three wells were installed. Samples were analyzed for GRO, DRO, RRO, PAH, VOC, and lead. Lead was detected above cleanup levels. At the Former Bulk Fuel System 10 UVOST probes were advanced. Soil samples were analyzed for GRO, DRO, VOC, and PAH. Naphthalene exceeded soil cleanup levels. Three wells were installed, there were no groundwater exceedances. At the Former Quarters/Electronics Building one water sample was collected, there were no exceedances. At the antenna array 10 cubic yards of lead contaminated soil was removed. Confirmation samples had no exceedances for lead. Lisa Krebs-Barsis
5/17/2023 Site Characterization Report Approved REPORT APPROVED: Final Birches VHF Remedial Investigation and Removal Action Report, Birches, Alaska (Brice Engineering, LLC, March 2023) Lisa Krebs-Barsis
12/19/2023 Site Characterization Workplan Approved WORK PLAN APPROVED: FINAL Work Plan, Federal Aviation Administration, Birches VHF Station Remedial Investigation, Birches, Alaska (Ahtna Solutions, LLC, December 2023) Sophia Bracio-Martinez
2/2/2024 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 74061 name: FAA Birches Radio Station Sophia Bracio-Martinez
11/26/2024 Site Characterization Report Approved REPORT APPROVED: FINAL Report Federal Aviation Administration Birches VHF Station Remedial Investigation, Birches, Alaska (Ahtna, November 2024) Sophia Bracio-Martinez

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details

Requirements

Description Details

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

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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