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Site Report: BLM Legacy Well Umiat Test Well #9 (FUDS)

Site Name: BLM Legacy Well Umiat Test Well #9 (FUDS)
Address: ~1.5 Miles NW of Umiat, Nuiqsut, AK 99789
File Number: 335.38.001
Hazard ID: 3093
Status: Active
Staff: Kelly Walker, 9074512166 kelly.walker@alaska.gov
Latitude: 69.385833
Longitude: -152.171389
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 Test Well 9 site consists of the area of approximately 8000 square feet that has been affected by former well drilling activities in the immediate vicinity of Umiat Test Well No. 9, and includes the area directly surrounding the wellhead, a drilling mud mound about 15 feet northeast of the wellhead, and a burned area about 225 feet southwest of the wellhead. Site has impacts resulting from exploratory oil well drilling activities conducted in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. PCBs were used as a tracer in Well 9 during well drilling and testing operations in the early 1950’s. Site investigations in 1997 and 1998 confirmed that soil is contaminated with DRO up to 54,000 mg/kg, RRO up to 75,000 mg/kg, PCBs up to 1100 mg/kg, Aldrin, 2-methylnaphthalene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, and dioxins (at the burned area). Umiat Test Well 9 is approximately one and one-half miles northwest of Umiat, at an elevation of 424 feet. Cleanup actions from 2009 to 2014 resulted in the removal and off-site disposal of almost 10,000 cubic yards (15,000 tons) of PCB and petroleum contaminated soil from the Test Well 9 site. Confirmation sampling results are below cleanup levels. The Test Well 9 Drainage Basin study area is approximately 55 acres, including the defined drainage channel adjacent to the former Test Well 9 wellhead location and several smaller drainages branches that lead into a wetland area. Sediment samples collected from the drainage channel in 2011 and 2012 found PCBs above the cleanup level. Soil, sediment, and surface water samples were collected in 2015 and 2016 from the Drainage Basin study area. Results show PCBs, DRO, and RRO above the cleanup level in soil and sediment. A risk assessment was performed, and no unacceptable risk is present at the site. See Umiat Former Air Force Station, reckey 198931X902511, for actions prior to June 2004. Prior to this time, the entire Umiat facility was managed as one site. In June, 2004, the facility was broken out into separate sites for the Main Gravel Pad, Airstrip Complex, Landfill and Seasonal Slough, 11 former Navy Test Wells, and Umiat Lake.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
6/14/2004 Site Added to Database Oil and hazardous substances. Tamar Stephens
12/9/2005 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Contaminated Sites staff completed review of a draft final decision document for Umiat Test Well No. 9, and sent comments. Umiat Test Well No. 9 has two areas, one immediately surrounding the well head, and a nearby burn area, in which soil is contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), diesel range organics (DRO) and residual range organics (RRO). The selected remedy is to excavate approximately 300 cubic yards of soil exceeding 1 mg/kg PCBs and dispose of it offsite. Since the DRO and RRO are co-located with the PCBs, excavation of the PCB contamination will also eliminate the DRO and RRO contamination. The major shortcoming of the decision document was failure to clearly explain that the excavation will accomplish removal of all of the compounds of concern, and failure to specify confirmation sampling for the DRO and RRO. Except for this one issue, remaining review comments were editorial in nature, identifying minor corrections or items that needed some clarification. The Corps of Engineers anticipates a work plan sometime in late spring or early summer of 2006. Cleanup will occur during winter of 2006/2007, since the only feasible way to access the site is to construct an ice road to connect the site to the Umiat main camp. Tamar Stephens
8/3/2007 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated Sites (CS staff and Army Corps of Engineers (COE) meet to discuss the future of cleanup efforts at Umiat. COE leased the Main Gravel Pad from the AK Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (AKDOT&PF) to stage the cleanup of petroleum contaminated soil from Umiat Test Well Nos. 2 and 5. The Lease is expiring and AKDOT&PF is receiving pressure to lease all available space to commercial interests for resource exploration in the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska. Discussion includes strategy to continue or defer cleanup, and also how to avoid issues concerning who will be considered a Responsible Person (RP) regarding future cleanups, after the initiation of commercial activities. Also discussed were continuing needs at the Main Gravel Pad, Airstrip site, Test Wells No. 1 and No. 9, and the Umiat Landfill (annually flooded by the Colville River). Tamar Stephens
9/10/2007 Update or Other Action Tamar Stephen (DEC) conducted a site visit by helicopter along with Corps of Engineers project manager Mary Jemin and project engineer Bob Haviland. Tamar Stephens
10/25/2007 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
3/12/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed. Tamar Stephens
7/10/2008 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
8/28/2008 CERCLA Remedial Action Completion Report DEC reviewed and sent an approval letter for the Final 2011 Remedial Action Report, Umiat Test Well No. 9 Contaminated Soil Removal, Umiat, Alaska. DEC received this report on July 30, 2012. Review of this report shows that this report meets the requirements of 18 AAC 75.335 and it is therefore approved. During winter of 2009, a removal action at Umiat Test Well No. 9 accomplished the excavation and off-site disposal of approximately 1,193 cubic yards of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated soil from the area surrounding the well head. Confirmation sampling showed that additional cleanup was needed. The 2011 report describes excavation and off-site disposal of additional PCB contaminated soil consisting of 1,921 1-cubic yard supersacks (1,412 tons) from the Umiat Test Well No. 9 site during February through April, 2011. This 2011 report documents the area where soil was excavated during the 2011 cleanup, presents confirmation data showing where the excavation achieved the cleanup levels, where additional excavation is needed to complete the cleanup within the excavation areas, and presents the results of additional sampling of unexcavated areas. This report documents disposal of the excavated soil at the Chemical Waste Management of the Northwest, Inc., located in Arlington, Oregon. The report shows that additional cleanup is required at this site and estimates an additional 2,100 cubic yards of PCB-contaminated soil at the site. On February 17, 2012, DEC approved a work plan for additional cleanup at Umiat Test Well No. 9 for winter of 2012. Documentation for the 2012 cleanup will be submitted in a separate report once the report is completed. Tamar Stephens
10/13/2008 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
11/7/2008 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Contaminated Sites (CS) staff reviewed and sent comments on a draft work plan for cleanup of contaminated soil at Umiat Test Well No. 9, a Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS). Removal of approximately 300 cubic yards of soil around the well head and another 75 cubic yards, at a near-by burn area, is scheduled for this winter. This soil is contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), diesel, and residual range petroleum. PCB oil was used as a tracer during well development and testing circa 1950. The contractor will mobilize and demobilize between Deadhorse and Umiat via overland tundra travel under an existing permit from the Department of Natural Resources. Approximately one mile of ice road will be constructed from an existing gravel road at Umiat to Test Well No. 9. Test Well No. 9 is within the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska, and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Target cleanup levels are method two arctic zone cleanup levels. Low levels of dioxins were detected at the burn area during past site characterization; an approved risk assessment did not find significant contribution to site risk. CS staff compared the dioxin data with the newly promulgated changes to 18 AAC 75.341 Table B1; the highest detection was below the most conservative Table B1 cleanup level. CS staff is also encouraging the Corps of Engineers to complete a decision document for this site. A proposed plan was issued for public comment on all of the 11 Umiat test well sites and decision documents were drafted “in-house” by the Corps approximately two years ago; due to changes in project management at Umiat, follow-through on the decision documents was apparently forgotten. CS staff has supplied the current Corps of Engineers project manager with electronic copies of the earlier draft decision documents. (Stephens) Tamar Stephens
11/14/2008 Update or Other Action Contaminated Sites staff Tamar Stephens received and reviewed responses to comments on the draft work plan for a PCB soil removal action at the Umiat Test Well No. 9. Responses to some of the comments will require further discussion and clarification with the contractor and with the Corps of Engineers. A comment resolution teleconference will be scheduled within the next few days to address these comments as well as comments submitted by reviewers within the Corps of Engineers. The project is scheduled for this winter. Tamar Stephens
11/21/2008 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated Sites staff Tamar Stephens teleconferenced with the Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Land Management on 11/21/08 for comment resolution on the draft work plan for cleanup at Umiat Test Well No. 9. The project involves excavation and removal of soil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and petroleum from soil around the well head and at a nearby burn area. PCBs were used as a tracer during well development and testing circa 1950, and are largely contained in drilling mud that was discharged as overburden on top of native soil. Work is scheduled to commence during the first week of February 2009. Tamar Stephens
2/6/2009 Interim Removal Action Approved Contaminated sites staff reviewed and sent an approval letter for the final work plan for cleanup of soil contaminated with petroleum and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at Umiat Test Well No. 9. PCBs were believed to be used as an additive in drilling mud at Umiat Test Well No. 9. A removal action will be conducted this winter, and will involve constructing about one mile of ice road to access the site, removal of approximately 300 cubic yards of petroleum and PCB-contaminated soil around the well head, and removal of another 75 cubic yards of petroleum and PCB-contaminated soil at a nearby burn area. Soil will be transported overland on an approved winter trail to pipeline access road, then trucked to Deadhorse, from Deadhorse to Anchorage, then sent by barge for final disposal in a permitted facility in Oregon. Tamar Stephens
2/13/2009 Update or Other Action Contaminated sites staff received a telephone update from the Corps of Engineers that the contractor for a removal action at Umiat Test Well No. 9 is planning to begin mobilization to the site this weekend, on February 15. The removal action will excavate and estimated 375 cubic yards of drilling mud with polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination from around the well head and a nearby burn area. The Corps of Engineers is still waiting for the right of entry approval from the Bureau of Land Management, and informed DEC that they expect to receive the right of entry by Friday, February 13. Tamar Stephens
2/27/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff has received confirmation that the contractor has successfully mobilized to the field for the removal action to excavate and dispose of an estimated 375 cubic yards of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated soil at Umiat Test Well No. 9. The contractor is in the process of constructing an ice road for the approximately one-mile distance from a gravel road to the site. Staff will be attending a restoration advisory board meeting in Nuiqsut on February 25 to bring the RAB and community up to date on progress of cleanup at Umiat, and to provide information on other upcoming cleanup activities that are planned. Tamar Stephens
3/12/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
3/20/2009 Update or Other Action Contaminated sites (CS) staff reviewed a regression analysis comparing data from an onsite laboratory with data from an analytical laboratory for the Umiat Well No. 9 project. The on-site laboratory is using a gas chromatograph for analysis of diesel range organics (DRO) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). CS concurred that the correlation was very high and concurred with the field screening levels proposed by the contractor of 0.75 mg/kg for PCBs and 10,000 mg/kg for DRO. Analytical samples will be collected to confirm cleanup after excavation is complete. Excavation of the soil at the Umiat Test Well No. 9 site is proceeding on schedule; however CS staff received a verbal update from the Corps of Engineers that the volume of contaminated soil is significantly greater than the 375 cubic yards anticipated. The Corps has allocated additional funding for 100 additional yards of soil, and is now working on an additional 180 to 200 yards beyond that. The contractor has located additional shipping containers, and currently expects to be able to complete the project this winter in time to transport the soil and demobilize equipment across the tundra. Tamar Stephens
3/27/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff received an update on the Umiat Test Well No. 9 removal action for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated soil. The contractor has excavated 675 cubic yards so far, and the Corps of Engineers is doing a contract modification for another 350 cubic yards. The original estimate of PCB soil volumes was a total of 375 yards. Fortunately, the Corps has been able to identify various sources of funding to keep the project moving forward, and the recent cold snap will result in extending the tundra travel permit time for the contractor, so it is currently expected that the project will be completed this season and all soil will be transported out of Umiat before the tundra travel permit expires. Tamar Stephens
4/10/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated Sites (CS) staff has received periodic updates on progress of removal of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated soil at the Umiat Test Well No. 9 location. This project was “piggybacking” on a project by Anadarko by using the same ice bridge across the Colville River. Anadarko has completed their winter exploration work and demobilized, and the Test Well No. 9 project was not funded to do ice bridge maintenance. To date, multiple contract modifications have been made as a result of finding larger volumes of PCB-contaminated soil that anticipated. Approximately three times the anticipated volume of PCB-contaminated soil has been excavated from the site so far, and the Corps does not anticipate being able to remove all of the soil from Umiat within the time that the ice bridge will still be stable and that the tundra travel permit will be in effect. The Corps has discussed with CS staff, and is also working with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), on a plan to focus on completing excavation of all of the PCB soil and to securely store super sacks of PCB soil on site until next winter. The Corps is hoping to use BLM’s SeaBee pad as a storage location. It is north of the Umiat main camp, and there is no summer vehicular access to it, thus it will be secure from impact from other activities at Umiat over the summer. Tamar Stephens
4/17/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites (CS) staff has received updates on progress with the interim removal action at Umiat Test Well No. 9 for soil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Field work is expected to be brought to a halt this week and demobilization to begin. Excavation of PCB-contaminated soil in the larger area surrounding the well head is expected to achieve cleanup levels. However, the total amount of PCB-contaminated soil excavated so far (over 1,000 cubic yards) is approximately three times the volume originally estimated for the entire site. A smaller nearby area will not be excavated this season. Due to having much larger quantities of soil than anticipated, it is physically impossible to remove all of the soil from Umiat in the time remaining for viability of the ice bridge across the Colville River and for tundra travel. The Corps of Engineers is working with CS staff, the Environmental Protection Agency PCB coordinator, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to get approval to store PCB soil on the BLM Seabee pad, north of the Umiat main gravel pad. The Seabee pad is elevated above the Umiat main camp and is above the flood plain. The Corps is planning to return next winter to excavate the smaller PCB area and to transport remaining PCB soil out of Umiat. The Corps of Engineers is hoping to partner with BLM to share mobilization and ice road/ice bridge costs next winter, if BLM is successful in getting funding to plug and abandon Umiat Test Well No. 9. The use of an on-site laboratory equipped with a portable gas chromatograph has allowed rapid feedback to guide the excavation on this project, and has allowed updated characterization of the smaller area to allow for more precise planning for next winter. Previous evaluation of the extent of PCB contamination relied on immunoassay field test kits. Tamar Stephens
4/24/2009 Update or Other Action Contaminated sites staff approved a waiver request from the Corps of Engineers to store polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated soil less than 100 feet from a wetlands area. The soil has been excavated during an interim removal action at Umiat Test Well No. 9. Approximately three times the anticipated volume of soil has been excavated. Soil has been transported from the site by cat train across frozen tundra, but not all of the soil can be transported from Umiat before tundra travel needs to be cut off. The soil is stored in super sacks at the Bureau of Land Management SeaBee pad, with top and bottom liners, and will be inspected periodically until it is removed next winter. Tamar Stephens
7/10/2009 Update or Other Action The Corps of Engineers remedial project manager for Umiat reported that additional funding has been obtained and a contract awarded for removal of polychlorinated byphenyl (PCB) contaminated soil that is currently temporarily stored at the Bureau of Land Management Seabee pad at Umiat. This soil was excavated from around Umiat Test Well no. 9 this past winter. PCBs were used as an additive in drilling mud during well installation in the early 1950’s. Much larger quantities of PCB-contaminated soil were found than anticipated, and the contractor was unable to remove all of the soil before the winter tundra travel permit expired. The soil is currently stored in 202 super sacks, each holding approximately 1 cubic yard, and 25 Connex containers. The funding is sufficient to remove all of the super sacks of soil and one of the Connexes; these will be moved from the Seabee pad to the Umiat runway by helicopter, then loaded on aircraft for removal from Umiat this summer. Additional excavation will be performed next winter to complete the excavation of PCB-contaminated soil at the Umiat Test Well no. 9 site. Tamar Stephens
8/7/2009 Cleanup Plan Approved Contaminated sites staff approved a work plan addendum for the Umiat Test Well No. 9 soil removal project. The plan provides for removal of 252 super sacks of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated soil from the SeaBee pad at Umiat, and confirmation sampling of the storage area of the pad following removal of the soil. The majority of PCB-contaminated soil excavated this past winter was removed by overland tundra travel; the stored soil represents soil that was unable to be removed from Umiat before the winter tundra travel permit expired. Soil will be transported by helicopter to the Umiat airstrip, then by fixed wing aircraft to Deadhorse for staging and transport to a permitted disposal facility. Removal of the super sacks began this week; removal and sampling will be completed this month (August 2009). Tamar Stephens
9/17/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
11/20/2009 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Contaminated Sites staff reviewed and sent comments on the Umiat Draft Remedial Action Report for a removal action conducted at Umiat Test Well No. 9 during February through April, 2009. The original scope of the project was to remove an estimated 300 cubic yards of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated soil from around Umiat Test Well No. 9, and remove an estimated 75 cubic yards of PCB contaminated soil from a nearby burn area. Larger quantities of contaminated soil were found than estimated, resulting in several contract modifications. A total of 1042 cubic yard of soil was removed from just around the wellhead; no excavation was done at the burn area. Work was brought to a stop with warming weather and expiration of the contractor’s winter tundra travel permit. Ninety-four steel shipping containers were removed from the site and manifests show receipt of the soil at the Chemical Waste Management Landfill in Arlington, Oregon. Twenty-five steel shipping containers of soil remain at Umiat, on Bureau of Land Management’s SeaBee pad, pending access for winter transport across the tundra. Additional sampling was performed to estimate total remaining contamination; estimates show 900 cubic yards of PCB soil remain at the wellhead area, and 80 cubic yards at the burn area. Tamar Stephens
12/3/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
3/18/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
6/17/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
7/16/2010 Update or Other Action Contaminated Sites staff received a field update from Umiat that as of Monday 126 supersacks of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated soil from Umiat Test Well no. 9 had been transported by helicopter from the Bureau of Land Management’s SeaBee pad, where soil had been stored in shipping containers, to the runway in preparation for removal by airplane. The shipping containers are being left on site for use this coming winter when removal of remaining PCB contaminated soil at Umiat Test Well no. 9 is planned. Tamar Stephens
7/30/2010 Update or Other Action Contaminated Sites staff were notified by the US Corps of Engineers that all of the supersacks of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated soil have now been removed from Umiat. During winter of 2008-2009, the Corps of Engineers began a removal action for PCB contaminated soil at Umiat Test Well 9. Soil was removed from the site by tundra transport to Deadhorse. A large volume of soil, contained in supersacks, remained on site when the tundra travel season ended; this soil was stored on the Bureau of Land Management’s SeaBee pad pending disposal. This summer, the soil was sling-loaded from the SeaBee pad to the Umiat airstrip, loaded into airplanes and flown out of Umiat. Additional PCB-contaminated soil remains at Umiat Test Well 9 and is scheduled for removal this coming winter. Tamar Stephens
10/13/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
12/30/2010 CERCLA ROD Approved Contaminated Sites staff sent a letter to the Corps of Engineers on December 30, 2010 concurring with the Decision Document for Umiat Test Well No. 9 Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS). The estimated cost of cleanup, $9.4 million, exceeds the amount that can be authorized by the Alaska commanding officer, so the Decision Document was signed at the Headquarters level. The FUDS program policy currently requests a letter of concurrence instead of having a state sign the Decision Document. The letter of concurrence was signed at DEC by Environmental Program Manager John Halverson. Cleanup of the site is planned for late winter/early spring of 2011. Cleanup will consist of removal and offsite disposal of an estimated 900 cubic yards of soil contaminated with comingled polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and petroleum. A removal action two year ago removed 1193 cubic yards of PCB and petroleum contaminated soil. Various methods of drilling in the arctic were tested at Umiat in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. Umiat Test Well no. 9 is the first well at which an oil-based drilling mud was used. PCBs were used as a tracer during the well drilling and testing process. The Corps of Engineers has partnered with the Bureau of Land Management to use the same contractor to plug and abandon Umiat Test Well No. 9 during the same mobilization. Tamar Stephens
2/4/2011 CERCLA Remedial Design/Remedial Action Plan Approved Contaminated sites (CS) staff reviewed and approved a work plan for cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and petroleum contaminated soil at Umiat Test Well No. 9, consisting of an estimated 900 cubic yards of soil at the well head and another estimated 80 cubic yards of soil at a nearby burn pit area. An interim removal action was conducted at this site in 2009 during which 1,042 cubic yards of PCB and petroleum contaminated soil was removed and disposed off site. Characterization sampling was performed at the end of the 2009 removal action to obtain better estimates of remaining soil. The contractor informed CS staff that the tundra travel season opened about a week ago, and that they are awaiting a permit before they begin mobilizing the field camp and equipment to the site. Current expectations are that all of the remaining impacted soil will be excavated and removed this winter. Soil will be containerized and transported across a tundra travel route using rubbertracked Case Steiger tractors to a staging area at Franklin Bluffs along the Dalton Highway, a distance of about 75 miles. As with the interim removal in 2009, this project will use an on-site laboratory to give realtime screening data for PCBs, with confirmation samples being sent off site to an analytical laboratory. Tamar Stephens
3/4/2011 Update or Other Action Contaminated Sites staff received a telephone update on the Umiat Test Well No. 9 cleanup project. The project is successfully in operation, and as of this past weekend 150 cubic yards of PCB soil had already been excavated. The project work plan calls for removal of approximately 1100 cubic yards of PCB contaminated soil. The site is in the arctic tundra and can only be accessed by heavy equipment during the winter. Excavated soil is hauled out on low-impact tracked vehicles across an ice bridge and an ice road approximately 70 miles to a staging location on the road system. Tamar Stephens
3/17/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
4/4/2011 Update or Other Action Field work for cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated soil at Umiat Test Well No. 9 has concluded for this winter construction season. Following an interim removal in winter of 2009, the Corps of Engineers performed additional characterization sampling to get a better estimate of the volume of remaining PCB contaminated soil. Despite the updated characterization, the work this winter found much larger volumes of soil than were expected and cleanup of the site was not completed. The contract has run out of funding for this season and tundra travel, necessary for transporting soil and for demobilizing the camp and equipment, is about to close for this winter. To date the Corps has spent approximately $21 million on the site cleanup. Contaminated sites (CS) staff consulted with the contractor, the Corps of Engineers, and the Bureau of Land Management and reached agreement on the best way to secure an open excavation area. Tamar Stephens
6/20/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC participated in a Technical Project Planning meeting with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and their contractor for planning the remedial investigation at the Umiat Landfill. Also participating were representatives from the ADOT&PF Foothills West Road team. Meeting topics included discussion of interagency coordination challenges and identification of other stakeholders to include in the planning process. The USACE noted that because of the size and expected high cost of remedial action at the Umiat Landfill, the decision to implement remedial actions are likely to be up to the Department of Army, and Congress may get involved due to the high cost. The contractor presented findings of three geophysical studies, conducted in 1994, 2006, and 2011. USACE hydrologists presented a summary of hydrologic models under various flood scenarios and results of researching three interim corrective alternative: slough block, marine mattresses, and sand bag check dams. The group discussed the Foothils West Road project. The purpose of the road is to provide access to oil and gas fields, but would provide ancillary benefits to corrective actions at the landfill, such as mobilization of equipment and materials to and from the site. Discussion of data needs for the Landfill remedial investigation concluded that existing site information was sufficient to establish the need for corrective action; future data collection should focus on data needed for planning potential corrective actions. It was also agreed that USACE should continue planning considering both scenarios - both with and without the Foothills West Road. Tamar Stephens
8/16/2011 Site Characterization Workplan Approved DEC approved the Sampling Work Plan, Umiat Test Well #9. DEC previously reviewed and sent comments to the Corps of Engineers by e-mail on 8/12/2011. The work plan shows that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) plans to conduct soil sampling at Umiat Test Well no. 9 during August 19–24, 2011, to fill data gaps to better assess the nature and extent of remaining polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated soil. The work plan proposes 22 test pits, with soil samples to be collected at one-foot intervals at each location, and collection of 10 surface sediment samples from a drainage area below Test Well #9 to assess migration of PCBs. Tamar Stephens
12/13/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed and sent comments on draft report titled Site Investigation Report Umiat Test Well #9 Formerly Used Defense Site (F10AK0243-06) August 19-21, 2011 (October, 2011). This report describes soil and sediment sampling conducted at Umiat Test Well No. 9 between August 19 and 22, 2011. Tamar Stephens
12/29/2011 CERCLA RI Plan Approved DEC received the final Site Investigation Report Umiat Test Well #9 Formerly Used Defense Site (F10AK0243-06) August 19-21, 2011, Umiat Alaska (December 2011) as an e-mail attachment on December 21, 2011. DEC previously reviewed the draft version of this report and provided comments in a letter on December 13, 2011. This report describes soil and sediment sampling conducted at Umiat Test Well No. 9 between August 19 and 22, 2011. A total of approximately 3,000 cubic yards of soil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were excavated and removed from the area surrounding Umiat Test Well 9 during an interim removal action in winter of 2009 and during remedial action during winter of 2011. The purpose of the sampling described in this report was to fill data gaps and provide updated information on the nature and extent of remaining PCB contamination at the site, and to characterize the main drainage channel adjacent to the well site for the presence of PCB contamination in the sediment. Soil sample results show PCB contamination above the cleanup level of 1 mg/kg in surface and subsurface soil in five out of 29 tests pits in the main source area adjacent to the well head. Sediment sample results show PCB contamination above the cleanup level of 1 mg/kg along the 1000 feet that were sampled of the main channel in the drainage area adjacent to the well site. The overall extent of PCB contamination in the drainage was not delineated, and smaller drainage channels that are offshoots of the main drainage channel were also not sampled. The report makes the following recommendations: 1. Aggressively target removal of PCB contaminated soil from the source areas adjacent to the well head during the 2012 winter field season. 2. Implement erosion control measures to prevent migration of PCB contaminated soil into the adjacent drainages. 3. Collect additional sediment samples in the main drainage channel and smaller channels during summer 2012 to provide information for planning cleanup of PCB contamination in the drainages. DEC concurs with these recommendations. Tamar Stephens
1/12/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed the Surface Water and Ice Road Sampling Results Letter Report, Umiat Test Well no. 9 Project. According to this report, Marsh Creek, the contractor conducting cleanup at Umiat Test Well 9, obtained a temporary water use permit from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources to withdraw water for ice road and ice pad construction in winter of 2011. Water sources used for this project were lakes RTS07124 and M0681 and Seabee Pit. Seabee Pit was incorrectly identified as a gravel pit, when in fact it is a reserve pit with potentially contaminated water. Subsequently, Marsh Creek conducted sampling of the ice from the ice road and the Seabee Reserve Pit. The other two lakes were sampled to provide background data. Sample results were compared with water quality standards, or with groundwater cleanup levels for gasoline, diesel, and residual range organics (GRO, DRO, and RRO). Two ice road samples and one ice pad sample exceed the groundwater cleanup level of 1.1 mg/kg for RRO. At the Seabee reserve pit, none of the sample results exceeded the comparison criteria. At Lake MO681, the sample contained RRO at 2.41 mg/kg, which exceeds the groundwater cleanup level of 1.1 mg/L. The sample also contained arsenic at 46.2 µg/L, which exceeds the criteria of 10 µg/L. At Lake RTS07124, the sample contained RRO at a concentration of 1.12 mg/kg in the primary sample and 1.26 mg/kg in the duplicate sample both results are slightly above the cleanup level. DEC does not have standards or cleanup levels specifically applicable to this situation. Although some of the samples exceeded either water quality criteria or groundwater cleanup levels, the exceedances are relatively small. DEC concluded that potential impacts to the environment are minimal, that an adequate and appropriate response has been taken, and that no further response action is required. Tamar Stephens
2/17/2012 Cleanup Plan Approved DEC staff Tamar Stephens sent approval letter for final Work Plan - Umiat Test Well No. 9 Contaminated Soil Removal. DEC previously reviewed the draft work plan and sent comments on the draft in a letter on January 10, 2012. This work plan describes cleanup planned at Umiat Test Well No. 9 to excavate, remove, transport, and dispose of an estimated 1,300 tons of soil remaining at Test Well No. 9 contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), diesel range organics (DRO), and residual range organics (RRO) during this winter (2012). Mobilization, transport of soil from the site, and demobilization will occur by overland tundra travel between Umiat and Deadhorse and the Franklin Bluffs staging area. Erosion controls will be used, and excavation areas from this winter and from two previous soil excavation and removal projects (2011 and 2009) will be graded at the conclusion of the project. Cleanup of the main drainage channel below the site will be addressed in a future action. Tamar Stephens
7/20/2012 CERCLA RI Plan Approved DEC completed a review of the Draft PCB Sediment Sampling Work Plan for Umiat Test Well #9. DEC received this work plan by e-mail on July 16, 2012. The work plan was found to meet the requirements of 18 AAC 75.335 and was approved. In 2011, sediment sampling in the main channel below Umiat Test Well #9 detected polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediment up to approximately 1000 feet down gradient of the well site. The purpose of the 2012 sampling is to collect additional sediment samples to delineate the horizontal extent of PCB contamination in the main drainage channel and collect sediment samples to evaluate for the presence or absence of PCB contamination in side channels of the main channel. Field work is planned for late August, 2012. Tamar Stephens
8/28/2012 CERCLA RI Plan Approved DEC received the Final PCB Sediment Sampling Plan, Umiat Test Well #9, or July 23, 2012, and sent a letter to confirm receipt and confirm approval of the work plan on 8/28/2012. There were no significant changes to the final work plan, and DEC had already approved it at the draft stage. Field work is still planned for the end of August, 2012. The purpose of the 2012 sampling is to collect additional sediment samples to delineate the horizontal extent of PCB contamination in the main drainage channel and collect sediment samples to evaluate for the presence or absence of PCB contamination in side channels of the main channel below the location of the Test Well #9 well head. Tamar Stephens
1/10/2013 Cleanup Plan Approved Stephens reviewed and sent an approval letter for the Draft 2013 Work Plan, Umiat Test Well No. 9, Contaminated Soil Removal for another field effort of cleanup of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated soil. The 2013 work plan addresses the removal, transport, and disposal of an estimated 2,400 tons of PCB and petroleum contaminated soil remaining at the Umiat Test Well 9 well head area and the nearby burn area. Mobilization to the site is planned to commence on January 16, 2013, with soil excavation planned to commence on February 8, 2013. Demobilization is planned to be completed by April 9, 2013. The expectation is that cleanup of PCB soil at the well head area and a nearby burn area will be completed during the 2013 field work. The total area involved in cleanup of Umiat Test Well No. 9 over the four field seasons (2009, 2011, 2012, and 2013) will total approximately one acre. Erosion control and site restoration measures will continue to be applied to stabilize the excavated areas. This cleanup project will not include the drainage channel. The Corps of Engineers and DEC have discussed managing the drainage channel a separate project once it is fully characterized. Tamar Stephens
8/13/2013 Site Visit Debenham participated in a site visit to Umiat with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Site visit activities included an annual inspection of the Landfill and a visit to the Test Well 9 site. At the Landfill site we performed a visual inspection for signs of recently exposed potential hazardous waste sources. Site conditions were documented in the field notes and photographs were taken at GPS located vantage points and landmarks. These photos will be compared to photos taken at the same locations in previous years to document physical changes at the site due to seasonal flooding. At the Test Well 9 site, we inspected erosion control measures placed after removal activities were completed last winter. Melody Debenham
8/20/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held Melody Debenham attended RAB meeting in Nuiqsut. Melody Debenham
11/25/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved the final 2013 remedial action report describing the removal and off-site disposal of 2,372 tons of PCB contaminated soil. PCB contaminated soil remains on-site at the well head and the burn pit area. Additional removal actions are planned for 2014. Melody Debenham
2/3/2014 Cleanup Plan Approved Approved final Remedial Action work plan for Test Well 9 for continuing cleanup of PCB and petroleum contaminated soil at the well head area and the burn pit area. Melody Debenham
1/7/2015 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved final 2014 Remedial Action Report describing PCB and petroleum contaminated soil removal at Umiat Test Well 9. Approximately 1815 tons of contaminated soil was removed and transported offsite for disposal. Confirmation sample results are all below cleanup levels. PCB contaminated sediments remain in the drainage channel, and will be addressed under a separate project. Melody Debenham
2/17/2015 Meeting or Teleconference Held Attended RAB meeting Corps of Engineers FUDS program in Nuiqsut. Discussed status of Umiat sites. Melody Debenham
8/4/2015 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Approved remedial investigation work plan for Test Well 9 Drainage area. Soil, sediment, and surface water samples will be collected and analyzed for PCBs and DRO/RRO. Select samples will also be analyzed for metals and PAHs. Melody Debenham
8/4/2015 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 74068 Umiat Test Well No. 09. Melody Debenham
8/4/2015 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79796 name: Umiat Test Well No. 9 Drainage Melody Debenham
1/22/2016 Update or Other Action Provide DEC review comments to Umiat Test Well DD and Project Closeout Report. John Carnahan
3/30/2016 Update or Other Action DEC signed the Declaration of Project Closure Decision and No Department of Defense Action Indicated for Formerly Used Defense Site HTRW Project Umiat Test Well No. 9 based on the remedial actions conducted from 2009-2014. Contamination identified in the drainage area of Test Well 9 will be addressed under a separate project. Melody Debenham
11/8/2016 Update or Other Action Receive preliminary responses to DEC review and comment on Umiat Test Wells Decision Document and Project Close Out Report. John Carnahan
12/1/2016 Meeting or Teleconference Held CS managers participate in the annual FUDS site management action plan meeting. The purpose of the is to collaborate with FUDS management on site progress and prioritization for all of the formerly used defense sites. FUDS prioritization is based on risk, congressional interest, state input and proximity to other sites on the prioritization list. FUDS has increased environmental restoration funding in Alaska for the 2017 and 2018 field seasons to meet National goals for site progress. Darren Mulkey
2/16/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved final Remedial Investigation and Risk Assessment reports for Test Well 9 Drainage. Soil, sediment, and surface water samples were collected from the Drainage Basin site, which encompasses approximately 60 acres. Samples were analyzed for PCBs and diesel and residual range organics. Sample results show some areas had PCBs, DRO, or RRO above the cleanup levels. Melody Debenham
6/19/2017 Site Visit Site visit to inspect multiple locations with USCOE representatives. Hike to site locations and inspect current status and recovery. John Carnahan
8/2/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Provide approval for additional investigation at Drainage, Drum Mound, and Test Well No. 7. Marsh Creek WP addendum. John Carnahan
4/17/2019 Update or Other Action Restoration advisory board (RAB) meeting held in Utqiagvik. Update provided on Umiat and others. John Carnahan
11/13/2019 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC staff participated in the Restoration Advisory Board meeting in Nuiqsut, where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers discussed planned activities for Umiat FUDS sites. Melinda Brunner

Contaminant Information

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Hazard ID Site Name File Number
26943 BLM Legacy Well Umiat Test Well #9 Drainage (FUDS) 335.38.001

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