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Site Report: FAA Coghlan Island

Site Name: FAA Coghlan Island
Address: Tongass Nat'l Forest, 11 miles NW of Juneau, Auke Bay, AK 99821
File Number: 1544.38.001
Hazard ID: 4176
Status: Active
Staff: Jenny Gates, 9072628203 jenny.gates@alaska.gov
Latitude: 58.359306
Longitude: -134.699143
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

A 1992 Environmental Compliance Investigation identified several areas of concern at the FAA Coghlan Island station, including the former aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) and associated piping, and the former burn areas. The ASTs and fuel lines were decommissioned in 1997, and approximately 100 cubic yards of petroleum contaminated soil was removed. Confirmation samples indicated contaminated soil remained in place, and additional investigations were performed in 1998, 2000, and 2012 to delineate the extent of remaining contamination. Investigation activities found petroleum contaminated groundwater in the shallow unconfined aquifer at the site. In 1997, characterization activities identified petroleum and lead contaminated soils at a former burn barrel and a former area used to burn garbage and debris. In 2016, approximately 30 cubic yards of lead and petroleum contaminated soil was removed from the two burn areas and shipped off-site for disposal. Confirmation sampling results are below cleanup levels.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
12/1/2005 Site Added to Database Site added to the database. Kim DeRuyter
12/1/2005 GIS Position Updated GIS provided by FAA, position not verified. Kim DeRuyter
6/15/2012 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Approved the final work plan describing site characterization activities at two former above ground storage tanks and associated pipeline. Site activities include the installation of soil borings and monitoring wells. The FAA will use an ultra-violet optical screening tool/ laser induced fluorescence (UVOST/LIF) probe to investigate the horizontal and vertical extent of petroleum contamination at the site and to help determine the optimal locations for the monitoring wells. Soil and groundwater samples will be analyzed for gasoline, diesel, and residual range organics (GRO, DRO, and RRO); benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX); and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Additional data will be collected to use the Hydrocarbon Risk Calculator. Melody Debenham
6/3/2013 Site Characterization Report Approved Received final remedial action report describing release investigation activities at the Transmitter Building 417 former above ground storage tank (AST) 40-A-1 and the former pump house building 621 former AST 40-A-2. Soil sample results show petroleum contaminated soil remains at concentrations above the migration to groundwater cleanup level but below the ingestion/inhalation cleanup levels. Groundwater sample results show diesel range organics above the cleanup level in the groundwater. Melody Debenham
5/13/2014 Update or Other Action Approved work associated with replacement of engine generators at Building 417. Trenching will occur in an area of known petroleum contamination. Any contaminated soil encountered can be placed back into the excavation. Melody Debenham
3/4/2015 350 Determination Groundwater use determination letter sent. DEC has determined that the groundwater at Coghlan Island does not meet the criteria to be considered a current or future drinking water source. DEC has further determined that contamination in the groundwater at this site will not be transported to either surface water or to a current or reasonably expected future source of drinking water. Following this determination, further groundwater monitoring at the Coghlan Island sites will not be required and the Migration to Groundwater soil cleanup levels are no longer requirements for the cleanup. Fred Vreeman
10/27/2015 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 75147 name: FAA Coghlan Island Storage Tanks and Pipeline Melody Debenham
10/27/2015 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79834 name: FAA Coghlan Island Burn Site Melody Debenham
4/12/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved final work plan for the burn site located southeast of the Transmitter Building 417 (TX AOC3) and the former burn barrel located southwest of the burn site (SAN AOC1). Contaminated soil at these locations will be excavated and transported off-site for treatment. Field screening for lead will be performed using a Niton x-ray fluorescence analyzer. Excavation confirmation samples will be analyzed for lead, diesel range organics, residual range organics, and dioxins. Melody Debenham
9/27/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved final report documenting removal and off-site treatment of lead and petroleum contaminated soil from two former burn areas. Confirmation sample results from limits of excavation were all below cleanup levels. Melody Debenham
10/5/2016 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 79834 FAA Coghlan Island Burn Site. Melody Debenham
5/19/2017 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 75147 FAA Coghlan Island Storage Tanks and Pipeline. Bruce Wanstall
5/19/2017 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 79834 FAA Coghlan Island Burn Site. Bruce Wanstall
11/1/2017 Update or Other Action Spoke to the responsible party - the groundwater monitoring wells will be decommissioned summer 2018 and the FAA will provide documentation. I also asked for a legal description of the property and a copy of the lease agreement for IC purposes due to 350 determination, although the groundwater is not potable. The closure letter is drafted, reviewed, and ready to go once the above items are completed. Danielle Duncan
5/2/2018 Update or Other Action Responsible party is waiting for FY18 funding to decommission the groundwater monitoring wells. Danielle Duncan
10/2/2018 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved a work plan to decommission the groundwater monitoring wells in support of site closure. Danielle Duncan
4/21/2022 Update or Other Action FAA inquired as to status of closure again. Waiting to hear back from DNR still. Flannery Ballard
11/22/2022 Meeting or Teleconference Held Teleconference with DNR to discuss site status. Per the DNR, RP must pursue a Disposal Decision with the DNR as contamination left in ground is not protective of all uses. DNR can then consider closure with institutional controls. Flannery Ballard

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details

Requirements

Description Details

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