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Site Report: USFS Culross Mine

Site Name: USFS Culross Mine
Address: SE slope above Culross Bay, Prince William Sound, Chugach N. Forest, Whittier, AK 99693
File Number: 2114.38.019
Hazard ID: 4193
Status: Active
Staff: Kelly Ireland, 9072697553 kelly.ireland@alaska.gov
Latitude: 60.737500
Longitude: -148.183056
Horizontal Datum:NAD83

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

Former mining operation; elevated concentrations of mercury detected in waste rock tailings piles. Chemical stability not determined. EPA ID AKN001002946; EPA site name USDA FS Chugach NF: Culross Mine & Mill Site.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
12/23/2005 GIS Position Updated Lat Long data recorded; USFS is data source; accuracy checked with ArcGIS and 1:63,000 USGS topographic Quad map. Projection saved at jnu svrfile G:\SPAR\Spar-Contaminated Sites\38 Case Files (Contaminated Sites)\2114 Whittier\ 2114.38.019 USFS Culross Mine Bruce Wanstall
12/23/2005 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial AHRM ranking using data that applies to the general area of the site. Contaminant sources from facility operation at the site could have impacted soil, ground water, surface water and sediment. Migration pathways could include migration to subsurface soil and ground water, runoff with surface water and uptake by plants or animals. Direct human exposure routes include ingestion, dermal contact and inhalation; indirect routes include ingestion of impacted plants or animals. Bruce Wanstall
12/23/2005 Site Added to Database Site added to the database. Bruce Wanstall
3/2/2007 Update or Other Action Comments on the draft SI report sent this date to the USFS. Anne Marie Palmieri
3/2/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Anne Marie Palmieri
9/8/2008 Site Characterization Report Approved Site Characterization report approved this date (Site Investigation and Corrective Action Assessment, NORTECH, 2008). DEC has requested additional characterization at this site, however recognizes that there are other sites on USFS-managed lands that present a greater risk to human health and the environment which should be addressed before the Culross Mine site. Anne Marie Palmieri
9/2/2016 Update or Other Action On this date, DEC sent a letter to the USFS requesting action on a number of sites. For this site, DEC stated: The USFS conducted a site investigation at the site in 2005-2006 which is documented in a report dated January 2008. Elevated concentrations of metals were found in the soil and surface water and visible mercury was present in the tailings pile. In 2008, DEC non-concurred with the USFS request to close this site and requested that the USFS conduct a remedial investigation. It was acknowledged that at that time the USFS was focused on higher-priority sites, such as the Salt Chuck Mine. No response has been received to date. DEC hereby requests that by October 10, 2016 the USFS provide a timeline by which they will conduct this additional characterization. Anne Marie Palmieri
10/11/2017 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC, EPA, and USFS met to discuss roles and responsibilities for each agency. Specific actions regarding this site were not discussed at this meeting. Anne Marie Palmieri
2/14/2018 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC, EPA, and USFS met to discuss roles and responsibilities for each agency. Specific actions regarding this site were not discussed at this meeting. Anne Marie Palmieri
5/8/2019 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC and the USFS met on this date to discuss many sites and how to move the sites forward in the cleanup process. A next meeting was scheduled for August. Anne Marie Palmieri
8/12/2019 Meeting or Teleconference Held CS Staff met with the USFS to discuss site issues on this date. Anne Marie Palmieri
10/8/2019 Meeting or Teleconference Held CS Staff met with the USFS to discuss general coordination on this date. Anne Marie Palmieri
2/12/2020 Meeting or Teleconference Held CS Staff met with the USFS to discuss general coordination and site issues on this date. Anne Marie Palmieri

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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