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Site Report: GTE / B J's Fuel

Site Name: GTE / B J's Fuel
Address: Lot 1 and 2 west of 209 Airport (McGuires) Dr, Southeast corner of McGuires and Chinana, McGrath, AK 99627
File Number: 2612.38.002
Hazard ID: 3207
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 62.957550
Longitude: -155.598380
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

Petroleum contamination was confirmed through lab analysis during an investigation conducted by AGI Technologies for GTE at their McGrath Central Office. Gasoline range organics (GRO) levels as high as 10,000 parts per million (ppm) were measured and the source appeared to be BJ's Fuel's 2,500 -gallon aboveground storage tank (AST). In 2000, the landowner conducted cleanup by excavation approximately 35 cubic yards under DEC oversight. MTNT Development collected soil samples in and around the excavation in 2022. Some petroleum contamination remained around a utility pole that was later removed from the site. In 2023, 3-Tier Alaska completed additional investigation and found no remaining contamination above cleanup levels.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
7/28/1999 Update or Other Action ADEC completed review of the report titled Hydrocarbon Investigation GTE McGrath Central Office McGrath dated July 21, 1999. David Pikul
8/18/1999 Update or Other Action ADEC reviewed a report titled Hydrocarbon Investigation, GTE McGrath, Central Office McGrath. PRP letters sent to GTE and BJ Fuel. David Pikul
8/19/1999 Update or Other Action Site information submitted to site intake group. David Pikul
9/15/1999 Update or Other Action ADEC reviewed BJ Fuels letter of September 6, 1999 indicating their intentions to investigate petroleum contaminated soil along BJ Fuel’s supply lines on the adjacent GTE property. ADEC notified Mr. Magnuson by letter correspondence of the workplan process, not to conduct work without ADEC approval. David Pikul
11/18/1999 Site Added to Database Petroleum. David Pikul
11/23/1999 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Site previously unranked. David Pikul
12/2/1999 Update or Other Action LC established. David Pikul
8/17/2000 Update or Other Action ADEC issued a letter to BJ Fuel (suspected RP) providing ADEC's overview of the site, current conditions and regulatory requirements. A site characterization work plan was requested by 9-22-00. David Pikul
10/20/2000 Update or Other Action Letter sent to Ben Magnuson of BJ Fuel Inc. requesting the backfilling of excavation and complete Site Characterization. David Pikul
7/18/2001 Update or Other Action Final Notice issued to Ben Magnuson of BJ Fuel. Site Characterization report to be submitted no latter than August 3, 2001. Beatrice Egbejimba
9/10/2001 Update or Other Action Site Characterization Work Plan was faxed to ADEC on September 10, 2001. Beatrice Egbejimba
9/27/2001 Update or Other Action Letter sent to Ben Magnuson with information regarding Site Characterization Work Plan. The work plan was not approved based on the information provided. Letter indicated information to be provided by consultant. Beatrice Egbejimba
10/20/2001 Update or Other Action Database update. Beatrice Egbejimba
10/25/2001 Update or Other Action A revised work plan was electronically mailed to ADEC. Beatrice Egbejimba
11/8/2001 Meeting or Teleconference Held A meeting was held to discuss the revised work plan submitted on 10/25/01. Present at the meeting were Dan Graham (consultant for BJ Fuel), Egbejimba and Pexton. A revision of the work plan was agreed on with the consultant. A letter requesting the revision will be sent to both RP and consultant by ADEC. Beatrice Egbejimba
11/26/2001 Update or Other Action Letter requesting a revision of the Site Characterization Work plan was sent to Ben Magnuson and his consultant Dan Graham. Beatrice Egbejimba
4/2/2002 Update or Other Action ADEC called RP to discuss delayed work plan submittal but received no response. ADEC called consultant who confirmed that RP could not be reached at the phone number in file. Consultant said RP had sold the property but was still responsible for cleanup. He provided a new phone number and promised to send new address for RP when he submitted work plan latter in the week. ADEC has tried the new number several times but has received no response, no answering machine available so messages have not been left. Beatrice Egbejimba
4/10/2002 Update or Other Action ADEC received workplan and new address for RP from consultant. Beatrice Egbejimba
4/23/2002 Update or Other Action RP spoke with ADEC and indicated that the property was not sold as reported by consultant. He sold the business which is not located on this property. A new phone number (work) was provided, ADEC had his home phone on file. Beatrice Egbejimba
3/10/2003 Update or Other Action ADEC spoke to RP regarding site status. He said he would ask consultant to send in report. He also said his Lawyer would send information on the Yukon Fuel Company property. Beatrice Egbejimba
5/16/2003 Update or Other Action ADEC sent letter to Ben Magnuson with approval of site investigation report received 4/17/03. ADEC also requested additional soil removal and the investigation of former AST location. A work plan addressing these issues should be submitted to DEC by August 1, 2003 Beatrice Egbejimba
9/4/2003 Update or Other Action ADEC sent letter to Ben Magnuson with approval of a workplan received August 20, 2003. The work plan proposes to conduct additional remove of contaminated soil and investigate the former AST area. This is a follow up on field activities conducted in 2002. A report is expected 60 days after completion of field activities. Beatrice Egbejimba
8/30/2004 Update or Other Action Submitted letter to Ben Magnuson requesting an update on the approved workplan. ADEC has not recieved report for workplan approved last year. Todd Blessing
7/20/2005 Update or Other Action Discussed site status with Mark Smith of Yukon Fuels Inc. Mark stated that Yukon Fuels Inc. did not purchase the site in question. Todd Blessing
7/21/2005 Update or Other Action Submitted letter to Ben Magnuson again requesting a site status update regarding the scope of work approved on September 4, 2003. Todd Blessing
8/3/2005 Update or Other Action Conducted a site visit on 8/1/05. No fuel impacts were observed on ground surface. Soil stockpile, which was previously located near the former AST is no longer present. Todd Blessing
8/4/2005 Update or Other Action Discussed site with Scott Sloan of Verizon. Scott explained that Verizon, formerly GTE, sold there portion of the contaminated property to Ben Magnusson. Todd Blessing
8/11/2006 Update or Other Action Issued certified letter to Ben Magnusson requesting site update. This is the Department's third request for a site update. Todd Blessing
10/2/2006 Update or Other Action Reviewed letter authored by Ben Magnusson. Mr. Magnusson stated that he used some prior contaminated soil for fill. Mr. Magnusson also stated he was not going to pay any cost recovery bills and that someone collected samples during past field activities. A response letter was issued to Mr. Magnusson requesting he be specific with regard to what soil was used as fill. ADEC also requested that he identify who collected any soil samples. Todd Blessing
1/10/2007 Update or Other Action Issued letter to Ben Magnuson in order to inform him that ADEC may take the lead in investigating the cleanup process. Deadline for Mr. Magnusson to respond is March 30, 2007. Todd Blessing
3/23/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking Todd Blessing
12/23/2009 Update or Other Action A review of file has determined that no action has been taken by responsible party as requested. Todd Blessing
9/5/2014 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Letter of State Interest sent to RP regarding Lots 2 and 7 of the D.W. Sprague Subdivision of former BJ Fuels, Inc. Meghan Dooley
3/25/2015 Meeting or Teleconference Held RP came in for a meeting to discuss 1-26-15 letter and ADEC expectations for progress. The RP was reminded that ADEC expects a work plan to investigate the footprint of the former AST on the East 1/2 of Lot 7 and the area around the former pump near the road on Lots 1 and 2. ADEC will follow up with a letter summarizing meeting and expectations. Lisa Krebs-Barsis
10/22/2015 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Received and approved a site characterization work plan to advance borings near the quick connect valves (Lots 1 and 2) and the former above ground storage tank (Lot 7). Groundwater sampling is part of the work scope. Lisa Krebs-Barsis
6/24/2021 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contacted the RP by phone for a meeting to discuss the site and provided a copy of the 2015 work plan that does not appear to have been followed up with site work. Janice Wiegers
5/19/2022 Update or Other Action DEC requested information from the RP regarding any plans to complete the cleanup or do additional site characterization. The RP responded by email, indicating that the building would be torn down this summer, and that he would dig up contamination after that and file the paperwork. Janice Wiegers
7/24/2023 Update or Other Action Site Cleanup Work Plan submitted by 3-Tier Alaska. The plan indicates that field screening will be used to identify areas of soil contamination, excavation will be completed where it appears necessary, and soil smaples will be collected at 0.5 and 2 feet below ground surface to characterize contamination. Deeper samples will be collected where necessary. Areas 1,2, 4, and 5, as described in past investigations, will be evaluated. 3-Tier Alaska indicated that Area 3 will not be investigated due to past sampling which did not identify contamination above soil cleanup levels. The plan was approved on 8/3/2023. Janice Wiegers
1/12/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other 3-Tier Alaska submitted a cleanup report. DEC commented on the report by email on 2/9/2024. A revised report was submitted on 2/21/2024, followed by discussions with DEC to clarify the area investigated in relation to the source. Janice Wiegers
3/13/2024 Update or Other Action 3-Tier resubmitted a revised final report. The investigation was completed around the former excavation area and in the vicinity of the former 2,500 gallon AST and associated quick-connect valve. 3-Tier dug test trenches to depths of 3 ft, screened soil, and sampled at 0.5 and 2.0 ft bgs throughout the area to look for VOCs, GRO, DRO, and lead. Although some DRO and lead were detected, no contamination was found above DEC cleanup levels. Janice Wiegers
5/28/2024 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued DEC closed this site based on lack of evidence that contamination remained above DEC cleanup levels. Janice Wiegers

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
DRO < Method 2 Most Stringent Soil In 2023, DRO found in three samples up to 163 mg/kg in excavation trenches dug to 3 feet deep in the release vicinity.

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
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