Skip to content Skip to content

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

You are here: DEC / SPAR / CSP / SPAR Online Services / Contaminated Sites Search / Site Report

Site Report: IHS Gambell Clinic

Site Name: IHS Gambell Clinic
Address: Located Near Grade School, Gambell, AK 99742
File Number: 660.38.005
Hazard ID: 3834
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 63.778593
Longitude: -171.735405
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

In 1992 a partially buried 1,500 gallon diesel heating oil tank was identified in Gambell, along with a pipeline that filled the tank from another tank located in the school building. The pipeline was reported to be buried originally, but during the 1992 site assessment the consultant noted that the pipe was at surface level. Soil samples from a borehole located near the tank indicate DRO levels between 2,022 mg/kg and 3,667 mg/kg. Did not analyze for benzene. No QA/QC was performed. Contamination most likely resulted from spills and overfills. Recommendations in 1992 were to remove an estimated 10 cubic yards of contaminated soil, rebury the pipeline, and replacing the partially buried tank with an above ground tank in a bermed and lined containment area. Pipline was never assessed for tightness. Given shifting of pipe over the years, leakeage probable.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
4/2/2004 Proposed Plan ADEC approves proposed cleanup project at the Old Clinic site in Gambell. IHS proposed to replace the ‘existing tank’ with a 500 gallon, diked, double walled AST, skid mounted. A day tank and fuel transfer pump and associated controls were proposed to be located within the mechanical room of the clinic to provide fuel supply to the heater. Contaminated soil was to be identified and removed for treatment. Added to database in 2006 by Oelkers. Rich Sundet
4/7/2004 Site Added to Database DRO contamination. Eric Henry
4/7/2004 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial site ranking. Eric Henry
4/12/2004 Update or Other Action File number assigned: 660.38.005. Sarah Cunningham
7/28/2006 Update or Other Action Paul Geisert, PE for IHS, reports that the IHS clinic in Gambell was demolished in 2006. Two fuel tanks of unreported size remain on site. Shannon Oelkers
1/30/2007 Update or Other Action Geisert is in process of developing a scope of work to remove the two remaining tanks and to address possible soil contamination and the fuel lines. Work is projected for summer 2007. Shannon Oelkers
4/19/2007 Update or Other Action New PM - Lisa Maserjian. Started email communication with Paul Geisert this week concerning the Draft Work Plan, Disposal of AST and Fuel Fill Pipe. The work does not propose to do any sampling or soil removal. Started communication regarding removal of soil around AST, which has visible fuel contamination. Lisa Maserjian
4/24/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking. Lisa Maserjian
5/8/2007 Meeting or Teleconference Held Discussed revised work plan with IHS Engineer Paul Geisert, Colin Craven and Lisa Maserjian. DEC had sent an email listing 3 things we wanted in their workplan (Proposed Cleanup Level, Soil Screening and CSM). the IHS Engineer thought that the CSM was a risk assessment, but this was cleared up once he accessed the DEC Website. During the meeting cleanup levels were discussed and agreed that the 10X rule could apply to this site because the groundwater was not potable and drinking water came from other side of island, upgradient. Discussed option of using PetroFlag and Craven sent some additional information on screening options. PIDs do not work at this site due to nature of soil being very gravel with some sand. Lisa Maserjian
5/10/2007 Update or Other Action Receive revised work plan for AST and soil removal. Lisa Maserjian
2/13/2008 Update or Other Action Contaminated sites staff reviewed a work plan for an above ground storage tank removal and site characterization at the former Indian Health Service Clinic in Gambell, Alaska. Previous investigations have shown Diesel and Gasoline Range Organic impacts over cleanup levels in surface soils Jeff Brownlee
3/25/2008 Update or Other Action Contaminated Sites staff reviewed and commented on a revised work plan for a Underground Storage Tank removal and site assessment. The department and the IHS agreed to cleanup levels, investigation approach and a remedial technology if needed Jeff Brownlee
8/8/2012 Update or Other Action Received an addendum to 2008 work plan for UST removal and site assessment. Changes to approved work plan include updated sampling procedures to follow 2010 field sampling guidance, increased sample separation distance where a new road has been built covering the fuel supply line, and the remedial treatment area (RTA) will be reassessed by the qualified professional due the initial RTA being located in a high 4-wheeler traffic area. Curtis Dunkin
8/13/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Completed review of addendum to 2008 approved work plan. Comments were submitted in letter dated 8/14/2012. Curtis Dunkin
8/21/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed revised final addendum to 2008 work plan. Addendum included a figure of the newly proposed remedial treatment area. Curtis Dunkin
8/30/2012 Update or Other Action Sent a letter on this date with approval of final addendum to 2008 approved work plan for UST removal and site assessment. Curtis Dunkin
10/24/2012 Update or Other Action Received and reviewed site investigation/remedial assessment analytical results. Highest DRO results was 342 mg/kg from one of the excavation floor samples. All other DRO, GRO, BTEX, and PAH results were well below migration to groundwater cleanup levels. Curtis Dunkin
1/23/2013 Update or Other Action Received and reviewed 2006 asbestos containing material disposal documentation as well as a request to dismiss the landfill closure requirement listed in the approved 2008 closure plan. Remains of demolished structure were not found in summer and fall of 2012. Some Gambell locals believe the debris was burned. Curtis Dunkin
1/30/2013 Update or Other Action Sent letter with approval to omit closure of the landfill as a remedial objective from the 2008 site closure plan. Curtis Dunkin
4/8/2013 Update or Other Action Received and reviewed 2012 draft site closure report. Issued letter with comments on report. Curtis Dunkin
8/26/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Completed review of final site investigation/remedial assessment closure report. Curtis Dunkin
9/30/2013 Update or Other Action Reviewed IHS site closure and cleanup complete request letter. Curtis Dunkin
11/7/2013 Update or Other Action Sent a letter notifying of ADEC determination of cleanup complete and no further remedial action required. Curtis Dunkin
5/16/2016 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued Sent follow-up letter to November 2013 cleanup complete determination. Site closure status will now be reflected in the database. Nathan Maxwell
5/16/2016 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 74809 Former AST at Old Clinic. Nathan Maxwell

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
DRO Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil Highest remaining contamination is 342 mg/kg DRO in subsurface soil. Approved cleanup level for subsurface soil at this site is 10,250 mg/kg.

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

Because the GIS location data for this site has not been entered, we cannot direct you to its position on the map. Click "Continue" to proceed to the Contaminated Sites Web Map or "Close" to return to the site report.
Continue     Close

Public Notices  •  Regulations  •  Statutes
Press Releases  •  Contact

 

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