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Site Report: Eielson AFB (OU-1) (SS052) Blair Lakes

Site Name: Eielson AFB (OU-1) (SS052) Blair Lakes
Address: Diesel Storage Tank 1, Eielson AFB, AK 99702
File Number: 107.38.074
Hazard ID: 356
Status: Active
Staff: Axl LeVan, 9074512156 axl.levan@alaska.gov
Latitude: 64.415040
Longitude: -147.647778
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

Diesel fuel spill from failure of 1-1/4 inch pipe connecting main diesel fuel storage tanks to 550 gallons above ground day tanks near vehicle maintenance building and generator facility has contaminated the soil and groundwater. Active. Previous file# 107.07.074. The site was assigned a HIGH overall risk on the Air Force Relative Risk Evaluation Worksheet dated 10/19/95. (rpltr4) A free-product recovery system and a long-term monitoring program are in place. Proposed COCs (Soil): GRO DRO Benzene n-Butylbenzene sec-Butylbenzene Cumene Ethylbenzene Propylbenzene 1,2,4-TMB 1,3,5-TMB Toluene Xylenes 1-Methylnaphthalene 2-Methylnaphthalene Naphthalene Proposed COCs (Groundwater): GRO DRO RRO Benzene Ethylbenzene 1,2,4-TMB 1,3,5-TMB Toluene Xylenes 1-Methylnaphthalene 2-Methylnaphthalene Naphthalene

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
1/17/1992 Site Added to Database This site is included in the state EPA Eielson FFA 100.38.011. Former Staff
8/21/1992 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = DD - Decision Document (CERCLIS)). Met with Eielson (Sam Gibboney), regarding ARARS for OU1B. Record of Decision. Rielle Markey
8/24/1992 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). Reviewed workplan for removal of NAPL. EA document. Rielle Markey
8/25/1992 Meeting or Teleconference Held Discussed additional activities in conference call - more product probes to determine extent of floating product. Rielle Markey
9/2/1992 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). Two large diameter wells being installed according to workplan for recovery of NAPL from GW at EAFB. Former Staff
9/25/1992 Interim Removal Action Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = DD - Decision Document (CERCLIS)). State signatures on ROD for removal of floating product as an interim action Former Staff
11/12/1992 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = CORR - Correspondence (General)). 2 hour call. First scoping of OU1 Draft RI to be continued 11-18. Rielle Markey
11/17/1992 Meeting or Teleconference Held 2 horr conference call resolving ROD alternatives workplan and remedial action workplan dates and issues. Rielle Markey
11/18/1992 Meeting or Teleconference Held 2 hour conference call resolving scoping issues for OU1 Management Plan due 1-15-93. Rielle Markey
11/20/1992 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = CORR - Correspondence (General)). Letter sent initiating dispute on site 48 for dates of RD and R action Plan. Rielle Markey
12/7/1992 Meeting or Teleconference Held (Old R:Base Action Code = PUBP - Public Participation)). Public meeting at NP High School 7-9 PM. Former Staff
12/7/1992 Meeting or Teleconference Held (Old R:Base Action Code = PUBP - Public Participation)). Technical Review committee meeting. Former Staff
2/10/1993 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RD - Remedial Design). Received 60% Design document for NAPL Recovery Project to satisfy interim action 1B. Rielle Markey
2/23/1993 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RPL2 - Site Information Request Letter). Sent PRP-CS database Notification Letter to RP requesting update and more environmental information concerning contaminated site. Department of the Air Force responded with update of requested site information on 3-17-93. Jeff Peterson
3/19/1993 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = DD - Decision Document (CERCLIS)). Sent review comments on 60% Design for OU-1B NAPL Recovery Project Decision Document. Rielle Markey
3/23/1993 Site Characterization Workplan Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = MP - Management Plan (CERCLIS)). Received Schedule for OU-1. will discuss in a conference call on 3-24. Rielle Markey
10/18/1993 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. Former Staff
9/30/1994 Institutional Control Record Established When the OU-1 ROD was signed, it established institutional controls for the Blair Lakes Facility. These ICs include: a prohibition on the installation or use of drinking water wells, a requirement that all monitoring wells are secured with locks, any activity that may result in exposure to contam. g.w. or moving contam. g.w. requires approval of CES/CEV, any activity disturbing a remedial action requires approval of CES/CEV, any activity that may result in exposure to or removal of contam. soil requires approval of CES/CEV, if contam soil or g.w.. are removed from the source, they must be disposed of or treated in accordance with regulation, and a requirement to notify ADEC and EPA of any proposal to change the existing land use or land use controls at Blair Lakes. Ann Farris
10/10/1995 Update or Other Action The water system at this site drilled a new well in a non-contaminated area. A NOV issued for plan review of that well was closed in January 1994. In addition, regular organic sampling occurs with reporting to the Drinking Water Program. No contamination is present in this well supply (PWSID 371249). While the previous well was located in an area of GW contamination, I find no record of persons actually consuming contaminated water and it was tested. I am checking on abandonment procedures recommended for that well. Rielle Markey
9/24/1996 Record of Decision Final Site-Wide Record of Decision, September 1, 1996, Environmental Restoration Program. Rielle Markey
3/24/1997 Update or Other Action Site updated by Shannon and Wilson, based on the Air Force Relative Risk Evaluation Worksheet dated 10/19/95. S&W
12/1/2001 GIS Position Updated Worked with Heather Goldman obtaining GIS latitude and longitude from 1:63,300 topographic map. Heather Goldman
12/3/2001 Long Term Monitoring Established Site is in long-term monitoring mode with institutional controls. Free-product collection has stalled out due to continuing maintenance problems and the difficulty in accessing the site. Measuring the amount of free-product is part of the LTM and should be closely tracked. as of 1998, approximately 1050 gallons had been collected. Ann Farris
8/26/2002 Update or Other Action Conducted site visit with EPA, Air Force, and RPO team on August 26, 2002. THe Air Force is planning to move the Blair Lakes Facility several miles to the east of its current location. If that happens there will not be any poweror a heated enclosure in the area to operate the free product recovery system. The system has only collected 55 gallons in the last year and a half. So the RPO team is going to evaluate the value in continuing to operate the system. Ann Farris
9/19/2003 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff attended a meeting with Air Force and EPA personnel to resolve comments on the draft Eielson Five-Year Review. Issues with the document included event-driven groundwater sampling at several contaminated sites, which we denied pending further clarification of the process, and closing numerous sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), but keeping them open under the State until 18 AAC 75 diesel range organic cleanup levels are met. Ann Farris
1/28/2004 Update or Other Action The Five-year review was completed and approved by all three parties. The monitoring program has indcated the product is not very mobile. We agreed the product recovery system could be decommissioned when the buildings are demolished. The groundwater monitoring will continue as appropriate and ICs limiting excavation and well installation will remain in place. Ann Farris
7/19/2004 Update or Other Action Staff reviewed the sitewide monitoring program and the remedial action operation and maintenance work plans. The groundwater will be monitored as part of the ongoing product recovery system operations. There is no update on when the buildings will be demolished. Ann Farris
12/20/2004 Update or Other Action Staff received and commented on a Remedial Action Operation report for OU1 and 2 at Eielson AFB for July 2003-June 2004. Report discusses operation and maintenance of bioventing and free product recovery systems at Eielson AFB. (Youcha) Emily Youcha
12/20/2004 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff attending a meeting with the Air Force on December 15. The Blair Lakes product recovery system will be decommissioned because the camp will be will be demolished this spring. Institutional controls will remain at the site. Emily Youcha
9/23/2005 Update or Other Action Staff received the 2004-2005 remedial action operations plan for Eielson AFB OU1 and OU2. The Blair Lakes Facility (SS50-52) had a free product recovery system that was discontinued in December 2004. Approximately 1,133 gallons of product was recovered from 1992-2004. Free product, soil and ground-water contamination remains at the site. Staff requested a proposed monitoring plan for this site. Emily Youcha
11/22/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held Staff met with the EPA and Eielson AFB regarding the current status of this site. This pad has been abandoned by the Air Force and relocated 2km away. A tower remains at the site that will be used. Contamination exists in the ground water (free product and benzene) and the depth to water is about 4 feet. Approximately 1500-2000 gallons of product were recovered up until 2004, but a new spill occurred in the late 1990s, and approximately 3000 gallons were spilled, so really there was no net change in the amount of product removed at the site. Eielson is proposing “No Further Action” and EPA concurs. Institutional controls exist at the site because it is an active bombing range. ADEC agrees with institutional controls such as yearly inspections to observe the gravel pad for degradation, digging restrictions, and inspection to the adjacent wetlands for water quality impacts. ADEC also proposes reevaluating the conceptual model. DEC concurs with discontinued ground water monitoring due to this site being low exposure risk with strict access controls. Emily Youcha
3/1/2006 Update or Other Action Staff had a telephone call with Eielson AFB to discuss their long-term monitoring program optimization. Eielson would like to apply "event-driven monitoring" to many benzene-contaminated sites, where monitoring would occur when the concentration reached the MCL at a predicted time. They are using MAKSENS to do the statistical regressions and come up with a slope indicating benzene degradation rates. This slope would predict when the concentrations would reach the MCL and monitoring would occur at that time only. They would like to apply this slope to other "similar sites" to predict when the concentrations would reach the MCL. Eielson submitted the concept to AFCEE for review, but apparently AFCEE requested more data, which Eielson did not have. At this point, DEC has not reviewed any data on this concept and requested Eielson submit a report showing the data and justification of their assumptions. Emily Youcha
7/6/2006 Update or Other Action ADEC agreed to decrease sampling of the North Boundary Wells from annual sampling to biennial. Upcoming measurements will be summer 2007, 2009, 2011, etc. Concentrations of VOCs, SVOCs, and metals in the sentinel wells have been monitored annually since 1992 and there has been no detection of contamination. Emily Youcha
9/25/2007 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated Sites staff participated in a facilitated three-party meeting with the Air Force and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) covering the environmental restoration at Eielson Air Force Base. The meeting was held in Seattle at the EPA Region 10 office. CS and the facilitator called for the meeting due to poor communication between the three parties and growing disagreements on matters fundamental to regulatory oversight on Eielson. Initially, each of the three parties was given an opportunity to talk generally about their involvement with the work at Eielson and their concerns. This lead to discussions of the Federal Facility Agreement (FFA) between the parties for base, as it appears that each party interprets specific sections of the FFA differently. Other topics discussed included the applicability of Freedom of Information Act exclusions applied to draft documents submitted to DEC, Eielson's plans for changing the frequency of groundwater monitoring for selected contaminated sites, vapor intrusion as a pathway to reconsider in the upcoming five-year review of records of decision, challenges posed by enforcing institutional controls as part of site remedies, and spill reporting coordination with DEC. Deborah Williams
10/17/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking completed. Deborah Williams
7/14/2008 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC participated in Eielson's 5 year ROD Review with EPA and Eielson. The sites covered in the ROD Review were the following: ST20, ST48, SS50-52, ST10/SS14, ST13/DP26, DP44, WP45/SS57, ST56, SS61, DP25, ST58, LF03/FT09, WP38 and SS67. Bioventing systems for ST10/SS14 and ST13/DP26 will cease operation during the summer of 2008. ADEC is concerned about LTM issues with SS35 and SS37 because of the potential for spills to be released from buried containerized wastes which are present at both of these sites. The vapor intrusion pathway will be evaluated at many of the sites where there are volatile compounds as a COC at the site and where there are potential receptors. All of these sites will be incorporated into Eielson's Land Use Control plan for the Base and the long term monitoring will be Event Driven Monitoring Program. Deborah Williams
11/24/2008 CERCLA ROD Periodic Review ADEC issued a letter of concurrence on the 2008 Five-Year ROD review for Eielson AFB. In the letter ADEC concurred with the current remedies but recommends further work on the following: the vapor intrusion pathway needs to be evaluated for all potential receptors at WP45/SS57 site along with further evaluation of the selected remedy to ensure the Remedial Action Objectives are going to be met. The buried drums remaining at SS35 may still contain product that may pose a potential risk to ecological and human health risk in the future. The area of buried drums identified outside of SS37 may pose a threat of an imminent release of hazardous substances and warrants further investigation or response action. As stated in the 2008 Five-Year ROD Review, the overall long-term protectiveness determination for the Sitewide OU/Garrison Slough remedy will be further investigated. A Land Use Control Management Plan should be developed and implemented. Deborah Williams
2/11/2014 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other 2012-Final installation-wide monitoring program (IWMP) report received June, 24 2013. Groundwater samples were not collected and monitoring wells were not installed at the source areas in 2012. A PSG survey was conducted at Blair Lakes (SS50, SS51, SS52) to assess the presence of VOCs in soil gas at the source areas because contamination is poorly characterized due to the remote nature of the sites with no easy access for drilling equipment. The PSG survey results indicated only one location with elevated petroleum hydrocarbons, PCE, and TCE. This location was on the boundary of the PSG sampling area and there are no groundwater monitoring wells at this source area. Anna Iverson
5/14/2015 Update or Other Action The 2013 Five Year Review (FYR) for Eielson Air Force Base included a recommendation that groundwater monitoring for sites SS050, SS051, and SS052 at Blair Lakes be reinstated. The deadline for implementation of groundwater monitoring was December 2015. The Air Force provided an alternate schedule for field work at the Blair Lakes sites: a remedial investigation and initial groundwater sampling to be performed in summer 2017, permanent monitoring well installation to occur later in 2017, and sampling under the Installation-Wide Monitoring Program to begin in 2018. DEC/EPA letter dated 5/14/2015 concurs with this approach. Eric Breitenberger
7/22/2016 Institutional Control Compliance Review DEC and EPA Approved the Final 2016 Installation-Wide Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan Addendum No. 5. The IWMP QAPP Add. 5 updates the 2012 IWMP QAPP for the 2016 field season. Changes and additions to the existing network of monitoring wells were described. Monte Garroutte
2/16/2017 Update or Other Action DEC gave conditional approval of the Blair Lakes Target Range Facility Source Areas Field Sampling Plan, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska (February, 2017). John O'Brien
4/25/2017 Update or Other Action DEC reviewed and provided comments on the Draft Programmatic Quality Assurance Project Plan, Addendum No. 2, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska (March, 2017). John O'Brien
6/13/2017 Site Characterization Workplan Approved DEC approved the "Blair Lakes Target Range Facility Source Areas Field Sampling Plan, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska" dated May, 2017. Melinda Brunner
8/6/2018 CERCLA ROD Periodic Review DEC evaluated "Fifth Five-Year Review Report for Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska" draft dated April 2018 and issued comments. Bri Clark
8/9/2018 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed and provided a second round of comments on Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) to the Records of Decisions for Eielson Air Force Base Operable Units, OU1, OU2, OU3,4,5, and OU6, dated November 2017. Bri Clark
8/10/2018 Institutional Control Periodic Reporting DEC and EPA reviewed the "Installation-Wide Monitoring Program 2017 Groundwater Monitoring Program" for Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska dated March 2018 and issued comments. Bri Clark
12/19/2018 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed and provided comments on the "Draft Installation-Wide Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan, Addendum No. 8, Eielson Performance-Based Remediation, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska," dated November 2018. Bri Clark
2/13/2019 Institutional Control Periodic Reporting DEC and EPA approved the Installation-Wide Monitoring Program 2017 Groundwater Monitoring Report, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, dated January 2019. Bri Clark
3/4/2019 Institutional Control Periodic Reporting DEC issued comments on the Draft Installation-Wide Monitoring Program 2018 Groundwater Monitoring Report, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, dated January 2019. This report describes the groundwater monitoring activities conducted installation-wide in 2018. Bri Clark
9/30/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC issued comments on the "Draft Installation-Wide Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan, Addendum No. 9 Eielson Performance-Based Remediation, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska", dated August 2019. This program addendum updates the monitoring program originally designed in 2012. Sara Marshall
2/18/2021 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 71335 Diesel Fuel Spill. Axl LeVan
5/17/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided review comments for the draft Installation Wide Monitoring Program work plan. The plan proposes sampling of 4 monitoring wells for the Blair lakes sites. One in plume well (50MW05), a down-gradient well (50MW18), a cross-gradient well (50MW19) and an up-gradient well (50MW21). Dennis Shepard
11/1/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided review comments for the Draft Supplemental Remedial Investigation (RI) Work Plan (WP) Addendum, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, September 2022. The Supplemental RI Work Plan Addendum is prepared with the intention of providing a detailed approach to support the objectives of characterizing contamination in general accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and applicable state laws at 29 source areas within Operable Unit (OU) 1, OU2, OU4, and OU6 at Eielson AFB. This supplemental work plan addendum complements the primary planning documents Final Supplemental Remedial Investigation Work Plan Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska (September 2022) (Gaps 1 Work Plan) and the Risk Assessment Work Plan (USAF 2016). Dennis Shepard

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
Benzene > Table C Groundwater
DRO > Table C Groundwater
Ethylbenzene > Table C Groundwater
Toluene > Table C Groundwater

Control Type

Type Details
Interagency MOU OU1 Record of Decision

Requirements

Description Details
Groundwater Monitoring Long-term monitoring through the Sitewide Monitoring Program Annual Sitewide Monitoring Report (monitoring frequency for site varies)
Excavation / Soil Movement Restrictions Any activity disturbing a remedial action requires approval of CES/CEV, any activity that may result in exposure to or removal of contaminated soil requires approval of CES/CEV, if contaminated soil or groundwater are removed from the source, they must be disposed of or treated in accordance with regulations. Annual IC Report
Restricted to Industrial / Commercial Land Use Requirement to notify ADEC and EPA of any proposal to change the existing land use or land use controls at the site.
Groundwater Use Restrictions Prevent the use of ground water where contaminants of concern concentrations exceed the reference dose or MCL as indicated in the baseline risk assessment IC Report, 5 year reviews.
Hazard ID Site Name File Number
354 Eielson AFB (OU-1) (SS050) Blair Lakes 107.38.072
355 Eielson AFB (OU-1) (SS051) Blair Lakes 107.38.073

Missing Location Data

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