Site Report: Moth Bay Mine
| Site Name: | Moth Bay Mine |
|---|---|
| Address: | 16 Miles Southeast of Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island, Ketchikan, AK 99901 |
| File Number: | 1516.38.039 |
| Hazard ID: | 4278 |
| Status: | Active |
| Staff: | Brittani Mack, 9072628205 brittani.mack@alaska.gov |
| Latitude: | 55.295977 |
| Longitude: | -131.345121 |
| Horizontal Datum: | WGS84 |
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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
Moth Bay Mine [Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System (CERCLIS) ID No. AKN001002627] is an inactive copper and zinc mine where EPA conducted a site investigation and collected surface soil, surface water, and sediment samples in August 2005. The site consists of 2 adits, 2 opencuts, and 4 waste rock piles exposing a massive sulfide deposit. The site is covered by 5 patented claims within MS1590. USFS land is located adjacent to the site. Contaminants detected above ADEC cleanup levels included: antimony, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, barium, silver, and selenium. EPA did not sample for petroleum hydrocarbons. In 2015 soil, sediment, and surface water samples were collected. Contaminants exceeding soil cleanup levels included antimony, arsenic, barium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, selenium, silver, and thallium. The following contaminants exceeded one ore more Alaska Water Quality Standards: aluminum (exceedance in background sample too), antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, copper, iron. lead, manganese, mercury, selenium, silver, vanadium, and zinc. Aluminum and iron exceeded NOAA SQUIRTs in sediment.
Action Information
| Action Date | Action | Description | DEC Staff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/28/2006 | Site Added to Database | Site added to the database. | Mitzi Read |
| 2/1/2008 | Exposure Tracking Model Ranking | Initial ranking with ETM completed. | Bruce Wanstall |
| 2/6/2008 | Update or Other Action | ADEC mailed a Notice of Cost Recovery and Data Request letter to the responsible party/owner/operator of the property. ADEC is requesting development of a site specific conceptual site model to identify receptors and evaluate exposure pathways. Environmental investigation data must meet ADEC quality assurance standards for use in determining the need for a site remedy to mitigate contamination. | Bruce Wanstall |
| 2/26/2008 | Update or Other Action | An owner/operator representative requested a reference for the data ADEC used to evaluate environmental problems at the former mine site. ADEC emailed reference to the EPA Region X START Preliminary Assessment/ Site Inspection Report for the Moth Bay Mine. | Bruce Wanstall |
| 3/20/2008 | Update or Other Action | ADEC attempts to reach EPA Region X project manager Ken Marcy for a copy of the Moth Bay Mine START PA/SI Report have been unsuccessful. | Bruce Wanstall |
| 7/25/2008 | Update or Other Action | ADEC recieved the Moth Bay PA/SI Report by regular mail from EPA | Bruce Wanstall |
| 3/3/2014 | Update or Other Action | EPA START data review and comparison with ADEC clean up levels and aquatic toxicity values. | Danielle Duncan |
| 4/7/2014 | Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter | PRP letter sent to property owner after contacting him. | Danielle Duncan |
| 5/29/2014 | Update or Other Action | Received and forwarded letter from RP's attorney to DOL. | Danielle Duncan |
| 7/18/2014 | Exposure Tracking Model Ranking | A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 75244 Waste Rock Piles. | Danielle Duncan |
| 2/3/2015 | Update or Other Action | Spoke to RP's attorney and he, RP, and R&M are going to contact Nevada Creek mitigation and research some possible solutions for the site. | Danielle Duncan |
| 10/7/2015 | Update or Other Action | Received an email from the RP's attorney asking that no further action be required at the site. In addition, a site visit and pH readings were completed and submitted without a DEC approved work plan. These data although not acceptable due to the lack of a work plan and quality control measures indicate that the pH in water on site varies from about 3.2 to 6.2. | Danielle Duncan |
| 11/10/2015 | Update or Other Action | DOL sent a letter to the RP defining the regulatory authority under which the site is subject, i.e. DEC regulations, not DNR. The letter also states that the recent R&M work done (pH sampling) did not advance the characterization of the site and it was done without an ADEC approved workplan in violation of 18 AAC 75.335(b). Also, 2 mining companies mined at the site: Gold Standard and Freeburn Development. DOL is looking into whether these companies may be PRPs. | Danielle Duncan |
| 12/2/2015 | Update or Other Action | Sent a request for more site information this date. Certified # 7014 0150 0000 1161 6920 | Danielle Duncan |
| 12/11/2015 | Update or Other Action | Rec'd reply from RP's attorney. Answered the questions I asked however provided no photos. There is currently no one on site and no buildings. | Danielle Duncan |
| 1/11/2016 | Exposure Tracking Model Ranking | A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 75244 Waste Rock Piles. | Danielle Duncan |
| 2/6/2016 | Update or Other Action | Rec'd an email from the RP's attorney this date - forwarded to DOL. | Danielle Duncan |
| 2/9/2016 | Update or Other Action | Requested a work plan for site characterization this date. | Danielle Duncan |
| 10/31/2016 | Update or Other Action | 2nd formal request for a work plan this date. Certified # 7014 2120 0001 4210 0995 | Danielle Duncan |
| 2/2/2017 | Update or Other Action | Forwarded a letter from the responsible party's attorney to DOL. | Danielle Duncan |
Contaminant Information
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Control Type
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Requirements
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No associated sites were found.