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Site Report: Residence - Von Gunten

Site Name: Residence - Von Gunten
Address: 4405 McKechnie Loop Road, Palmer, AK 99645
File Number: 2245.38.026
Hazard ID: 3146
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 61.535369
Longitude: -149.025789
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

Contamination resulted from a leaking 1,500 gallon home heating oil tank. The release was suspected in December 1998 when the furnace quit due to water in the fuel and an estimated 400 gallons of fuel in excess of that normally used was found to be missing. Four underground tanks present on the property were removed in 1999, including the leaking 1,500-gallon tank. Partial cleanup done by excavation and thermal treatment of approximately 50 cubic yards of excavated contaminated soil done in 1999. Drinking water well 70 ft from contaminant source sampled with non-detect results for BTEX, believed to be in deeper confined aquifer. 2016 site investigation included push probe soil sampling and piezometer installation to 20 feet below ground surface, over five feet below maximum depth of previously documented soil contamination. No groundwater was encountered and no soil contaminants exceeded applicable cleanup levels.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
1/6/1999 Update or Other Action ADEC received a plan dated January 4, 1999 by Michael Skibo of Alaska Rim Engineering, Inc. proposing to remove an underground 1,500 gallon home heating fuel tank and requesting approval to direct haul any contaminated soil encountered to Alaska Soil Recycling. Following requests by ADEC for additional information, another consultant, AlaskChem, contacted ADEC. Eileen Olson
1/12/1999 Update or Other Action On 1/12/1999 ADEC received the draft "Safe Work Plan, Von Gunten Residence, Underground Storage Tank Closure" prepared by AlaskChem Engineering for the removal of four underground storage tanks including two heating oil tanks, one diesel fuel tank, and one gasoline tank, all used for non-commercial residential purposes and therefore not federally regulated under 18 AAC 78. The purpose of the plan is to remove all tanks and to investigate and remediate any contamination encountered in accordance with new contaminated sites regulations to be promulgated on 1/22/1999. The plan notes that it is suspected but not yet confirmed that there has been a release of heating oil from the 1,500 gallon tank adjacent to the residence. The tank was filled with about 1,000 gallons on 12/17/1998, and on 12/23/1998 the furnace failed due to water present in the fuel. Some water was removed from the tank by the owner, which allowed temporary continuance of operation. After the furnace again failed due to water in the line, the owner pumped the remaining fuel from the tank into drums, calculating that approximately 400 gallons of fuel was missing. On 1/11/1999 the tank contained ~16 inches of water - believed to be more than when first pumped. Eileen Olson
3/31/1999 Update or Other Action Received on 3/31/1999 report "Underground Storage Tank Removal, Initial Response and Release Investigation, Von Gunten Residence, February 1999" by AlaskChem Engineering with cover letter dated 3/26/1999 requesting site closure based on site conditions and sampling results found in accompanying report. The cover letter is signed by Robert Haviland, P.E., Environmental Engineer, and Dennis Hardy, P.E. The report documents that the on-site drinking water well located approximately 70 feet from release location was sampled for BTEX on 2/9/1999 with no contaminants detected. The cause of the release was reported as corrosion due to the proximity to the septic tank and leach field. Eileen Olson
7/23/1999 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved On 7/23/1999 ADEC approved a request by the homeowner dated 7/22/1999 to transport 40-50 cubic yards of contaminated soil from the ADEC-approved stockpile at the site to Alaska Soil Recycling's thermal remediation facility in Anchorage. Eileen Olson
6/5/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 74121 name: heating oil tank release. Eileen Olson
3/23/2016 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter ADEC's letter dated 3/23/2016 notified the owners of their liability for hazardous substance contamination and cost recovery requirements. Eileen Olson
3/29/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC's letter dated 3/29/2016 summarized the site status and requested a work plan to complete site characterization. Eileen Olson
4/13/2016 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff met with RPs and consultant to discuss site characterization requirements. RPs provided a cover letter describing the circumstances of and response to the 1998 release; providing photographs; and providing documentation from Anchorage Soil Recycling of soil treatment in 1999. Eileen Olson
4/28/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC's letter dated 4/28/2016 clarifies requirements for site closure as discussed with the responsible parties during a meeting on 4/13/2016, during which the responsible parties provided a narrative and documentation of site work. Eileen Olson
5/26/2016 Meeting or Teleconference Held staff met with RP and consultant to discuss site characterization requirements following submittal of additional photographs and information by RP. Eileen Olson
9/29/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved revisions provided by email dated 9/22/2016 to existing plan that was conditionally approved on 6/7/2016 with exception noted that if PAH results are high, ADEC will not automatically accept the explanation provided by consultant that if PAHs encountered they will be attributed to dissolved foundation sealcoat. One boring to be installed with objective of intercepting previously documented contamination, determining maximum depth of contamination, and confirming absence of shallow groundwater. Eileen Olson
1/24/2017 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued ADEC granted site closure on this date following review of the "Site Characterization Closure Report" dated December 5, 2016 that documented additional site characterization completed in October 2016. Eileen Olson
1/24/2017 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 74121 heating oil tank release. Eileen Olson

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
DRO < Method 2 Most Stringent Soil

Control Type

Type Details
No ICs Required

Requirements

Description Details
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.
Movement or use of contaminated material (including on site) in a manner that results in a violation of the water quality standards is prohibited (18 AAC 70)

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