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Site Report: AT&T Alascom Pedro Dome Repeater Site

Site Name: AT&T Alascom Pedro Dome Repeater Site
Address: 1440 Pedro Dome Road, 18 miles NE of Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99701
File Number: 100.38.202
Hazard ID: 4302
Status: Active
Staff: Jim Fish, 9074512117 james.fish@alaska.gov
Latitude: 65.034139
Longitude: -147.499194
Horizontal Datum:

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

The results of previous investigations conducted at this site evaluated a total of 15 Areas of Interest (AOIs). Six of the AOIs have been shown to meet cleanup levels. The other nine AOIs have been shown to be potentially contaminated. Approximately 800 cubic yards of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated soil was removed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and results of that cleanup can be found in file number 100.38.106. Also Cross-reference PERP Spill file 100.02.009 (1981). Recent (2013 - 2014) investigations indicate that contamination remains in areas that were not characterized prior to the previous cleanup efforts.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
9/18/2006 Site Added to Database Site added to the database. Deborah Williams
6/26/2007 Update or Other Action ADEC received the 2006 Site Investigation Report, Pedro Dome Repeater Site. According to the report, 15 areas of interest (AOIs)were identified. Of the 15 sites, Alta Geosciences recommends closure of 9 of them. The 9 AOIs were AOI-E - Two Former 10,000-gallon ASTs; AOI-F - Garage Bldg which has DRO impacts up to 3,200 ppm and PCB up to 25 ppm; AOI-G - Burned Bldg Area which has DRO impacts up to 770 ppm; AOI-J - Septic Tank Discharge Area which has soil and sludge within the tank up to 31 ppm PCBs; AOI-L - Petroleum Dump Area which has DRO up to 8,900 ppm; and AOI-M - Bermed Area which has DRO up to 48,000 ppm. Deborah Williams
7/16/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking completed. Deborah Williams
9/10/2007 Interim Removal Action Approved ADEC conditionally approved the August 2007 interim cleanup plan that proposes to excavate 250 yards of petroleum impacted soil and 27 yards of PCB soil. the soil would be transported to OIT for treatment. The plan had proposed an incomplete pathway for migration to groundwater and base site decisions on ingestion / inhalation cleanup levels. ADEC approved the paln to excavate soil but did not consider the site to be fully characterized to rule out the MTG pathway. The site decisions will be based on sample data and other information following the interim cleanup actions. Jim Frechione
4/20/2009 Proposed Plan Alex Tula will inform DEC of closure decision regarding PCBs- Risk assessment, or cap and deed notice for remaining PCB contamination above 1 ppm. Neal Everson
2/12/2010 Update or Other Action Correspondence via phone with US EPA, Region 10 inquiring to the status of the site. Jim Fish
2/16/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Report of Risk Evaluation & Site Closure Request recieved from consultant Jim Fish
5/3/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Rik evaluation, CSM and request for site closure reviewed by DEC. Past site characterizations and cleanup efforts also reviewed to identify data gaps in contaminant characterization (PCBs and DRO), human health CSM, and ecological CSM. Jim Fish
5/12/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with RP (AT&T) and consultant to dicsuss additional site characterization, CSM, past PCB spills, pending workplan, and closure requirements. Additional site characterization is tentatively planned for summer 2010 to address data gaps identified in prveious investigations and reports. Jim Fish
6/23/2010 Update or Other Action Received reconnaissance letter & summary of PCB sampling locations from consultant; expecting workplan for additional PCB sampling around former equipment building during summer 2010. Jim Fish
6/24/2010 Update or Other Action Received draft Work Plan for PCB soil sampling around former equipment building, dormitory, and former transformer spill location. Although limited in scope, the Work plan is lacking sufficient details for approval; consultant still plans to sample 29 June (2010). Jim Fish
6/29/2010 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Workplan conditionally approved as a preliminary sampling event for PCB identification in surface soils only. By definition, surface soils are 0 to 2-ft bgs. Consultant would not agree to sample below 2-ft bgs; thus, the subsurface remains uncharacterized, and the subsurface exposure pathway in the CSM remains open. Consultant and RP were informed that the site cannot closed with an uncharacterized exposure pathway. The 2010 work plan submitted did not fulfill the requirement for a site characterization. Further work beyond this initial sampling may happen in the future. However, the subsurface remains uncharacterized at known and suspected locations of PCB soil contamination. Jim Fish
7/16/2010 Site Visit Site visit to find soil sampling locations, assess topography, and to survey site layout & debris. Jim Fish
9/2/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received report - Focused Soil sampling and analysis report, Pedro Dome Repeater Site. PCBs. Results include (from conclusions): PCBs found in every soil sample. Significant observations: • Six of the 26 environmental samples (not counting field duplicates) were found to contain greater than 10 mg/kg PCBs (greatest concentration was 40.2 ppm) • Fourteen of the 26 environmental samples were found to contain greater than 1 mg/kg PCBs (ADECs method 2 soil cleanup criteria). • The four soil samples from the vicinity of the 1981 spill all exhibited PCB concentrations in excess of 10 mg/kg PCBs. • The two soil samples from the Woodward Clyde soil stockpile were consistent with prior results (less than 2 mg/kg PCBs). • Soils containing PCBs in excess of 1 mg/kg are widespread around the former equipment building. Jim Fish
9/9/2010 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Second Work Plan for additional site characterization recieved from consultant. Jim Fish
2/14/2011 Update or Other Action Received Supplemental Site Investigation Report, Pedro Dome Repeater Site from consultant 10 February 2011. PCBs detected in 29 of 54 soil samples collected during October, 2010 - five samples contained PCBs > 1 mg/kg soil. Maximum concentration found was 34.6 mg/kg (1 to 2 ft bgs). Maximum depth sampled during October site visit was 3 to 4 ft bgs (only 1 sampled exceeded CU level at this depth). Consultant requested meeting between RP & ADEC for May, 2011. Jim Fish
3/3/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Teleconfernece held with Alta GeoSciences, AT&T, Iberdola Holdings, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and AK Dept of Law to discuss shared liability of PCB cotnamination around former Equipment Building and known transformer PCB spill. DEC will sumamrize data gaps from previous site investigations and outline sampling requirements to be met prior to site achieving site closure. Jim Fish
5/4/2011 Update or Other Action Letter outlining data gaps, and additional site characterization and cleanup requirements sent to RP (AT&T). Jim Fish
5/4/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with EPA region 10 TSCA (and RCRA) staff to discuss site management and characterization & cleanup requirements. Jim Fish
5/9/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with AT&T, Iberdola Holdings, and ALTA GeoSciences to discuss site characterization and cleanup requirements, and negotiations with US Army Corp of Engineers. Work Plans (likely 2) will be forthcoming for the field season. Additional research on Equipment Building disposition pending (Alascom contract records indicate Dormitory building was never burned down - all materials removed off-site). Jim Fish
9/26/2011 Update or Other Action Received notifiation from US Army Corps of Engineers that a new Potentially responsible Party (PRP)/Hazardous Toxic and Radiological Waste (HTRW) project was established for Pedro Dome Radio Relay Station Formerly Used Defense Site, Septemebr 11, 2011. Jim Fish
5/15/2012 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with RP (AT&T) and consultant (Alta GeoSciences) held to discuss work plans submitted for approval. Additional sampling in AOIs identified in previous site work, and PCB delineation at the former Equipment Building and Dormitory is proposed. DEC is coordinating with USEPA Region 10 TSCA staff. Jim Fish
7/6/2012 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Work plans for PCB delineation at former Equipment and Dormitory Buidlings, and sampling at former AOIs approved. Jim Fish
11/7/2012 Update or Other Action Site investigation report received for AOI G - former Equipment Building and PCB spill location Jim Fish
1/29/2013 Update or Other Action Site investigation report received for AOIs E,F,H,I,J,L,M,N, and O (other than AOI G). Jim Fish
2/14/2013 Site Characterization Report Approved Both site investgiation reports apprvoed: "Site Investigation Report- Formr Equipment Bldg Area (AOI-G), Pedro Dome Repeater Site" and "2012 Site Investigation Report, Pedro Dome Repeater Site" Jim Fish
6/20/2013 Meeting or Teleconference Held Met with consultant (AltaGeosciences) to dicuss pending additional site characterization toward end of summer (work plan forthcoming), and cleanup approach (tenetative for summer 2014). Also discussed negotiations with FUDS and current landowner. Jim Fish
7/17/2013 Update or Other Action Recieved work plan for lead stabilization (Former battery Casing Area), and PCB sampling (Septic outfall Area and Battery Casing Area). Jim Fish
7/26/2013 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved work plan for in-situ lead stabilization (to avoid TCLP failure and Hazardous waste generation) and addtional PCB soi lsampling. Cleanup for PCBs (under TSCA and ADEC regulations) and other COCs proposed 2014. Jim Fish
12/11/2013 Update or Other Action PRP contacts obtained from DEC Federal Facilites staff and USACOE Attorney Jim Fish
12/13/2013 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter PRP Letters sent to AT&T Alaska, Exelis (successor to ITT Arctic Services), Lockheed Martin Corp. (successor to Federal Electric), and USACOE FUDS Program Jim Fish
12/31/2013 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter PRP Letter sent to Iberdola Renewables Holdings, Inc. (a successor of PacifiCorp). Jim Fish
1/8/2014 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter PRP response received from Exelis Jim Fish
5/2/2014 Update or Other Action Responses from PRPs have been received since January 2014, and requests for information are ongoing. A PRP/stakeholder with all PRPs, DEC and DOL meeting is planned for May, 2014 Jim Fish
5/7/2014 Site Visit Site visit to Pedro Dome facility with DEC Risk Assessor. Jim Fish
5/8/2014 Meeting or Teleconference Held A meeting with all PRPs, legal representation, FUDS program, and DOL was held at DEC office. Liability issues are to be resolved, with involvement of U.S. Dept. of Justice. A cleanup is tentatively planned for 2015. Jim Fish
5/8/2014 Site Visit A site visit was conducetd with PRPs, DOL, and DEC. Jim Fish
6/19/2015 Update or Other Action Received lead stabilization report for former Garage Area (lead contamination in soil). Approach was successful in stabilizing lead and lowering characteristic hazardous waste levels for future removal via excavation. Jim Fish
8/20/2015 Update or Other Action Received a soil sampling report for the PCBs south of the former garage building. PCB's to 798 mg/kg were found in this location. Jim Fish
5/18/2016 Meeting or Teleconference Held PRP Teleconference call to discuss updates & actions for allocation of responsibility Jim Fish
12/13/2016 Meeting or Teleconference Held PRP Teleconference call to discuss updates & actions for allocation of responsibility Jim Fish
7/22/2019 Update or Other Action Call from consultant indicated cleanup work plan is under preparation and will be sent to ADEC for review this summer. Jim Fish
7/25/2019 Update or Other Action Received ecological survey for the site, as part of eco-scoping process. Jim Fish
9/1/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 75282 Various areas of interest. Jim Fish
9/4/2020 Update or Other Action Consultant indicated that additional cleanup occurred during July 2020. Awaiting final certificates of disposal and analytical soil sampling results. Jim Fish
4/12/2021 Update or Other Action Received Pedro Dome Cleanup reort (Risk-based Soil Remediation, Construction Completion Reprot, PEdro Dome Repeater Site) from consultant. 1,074.85 tons of soil containing less than 50ppm PCBs were excavated and transported and disposed at the Columbia Ridge Landfill in Oregon; 157.35 tons of soil containing 50 ppm PCBs or greater were excavated, transported and disposed at Chemical Waste Landfill in Arlington, Oregon. Confirmation sampling indicated remaining soils contained PCBs above 1.0 mg/kg (>2.0 mg/kg), but application of EPA ProUCL indicated a 95% upper confidence limit was less than 0.8 mg/kg for all three subareas excavated individually, as well as for the site as a whole. Jim Fish
11/22/2021 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 75282 Various areas of interest. Jim Fish
1/11/2022 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC participated in MS Teams meeting with EPA TSCA and consultant to disucss closure of site following PCB cleanup effort, and requirement of low occupancy as an Institutional Control. Additional work (e.g. capping) may be proposed by the consultant to close the site without the low occupancy requirement. Jim Fish
1/19/2022 Update or Other Action List of PRP representatives (received from settling party attorneys and DOL) sent to EPA TSCA program Jim Fish
2/14/2022 Update or Other Action Received Risk-based PCB Disposal approval by EPA TSCA, with stipulation of a Low-occupancy requirement: The PCBs remaining in soil are found at concentrations up to 2.39 ppm, which meets the cleanup level of =25 ppm for low occupancy areas pursuant to 40 C.F.R. §761.61(a)(4)(i)(B). However, sampling to verify completion of the cleanup was not completed strictly as prescribed in Subpart O of 40 C.F.R. part 761. EPA determined that use of the alternative sampling procedure to justify restricted, low occupancy use of the site does not present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment. Therefore, the RP’s proposal to leave waste in place at the identified concentrations and with institutional controls satisfies the cleanup standard of 40 C.F.R. §761.61(a)(4)(i)(B)(1) and the institutional control requirements of 40 C.F.R. §761.61(a)(8). The RP is to record, within 60 days and in accordance with State law, a notation on the deed to the property, or on some other instrument which is normally examined during a title search, that will in perpetuity notify any potential purchaser of the property that the land has been used for PCB remediation waste disposal and is restricted to use as a low occupancy area as defined in 40 C.F.R. §761.3, and the applicable cleanup level at the site is = 25ppm PCBs. Approval also stipulate that if the RP wishes to use this Site without restriction in the future, then additional PCB remediation waste characterization and cleanup will need to be completed strictly in accordance with the regulations at 40 C.F.R. Part 761. Jim Fish
6/16/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received EPA TSCA-approved 2022 Supplemental Investigation Work Plan, Pedro Dome Repeater Site from consultant. Work is anticipated for early July 2022. Jim Fish
8/9/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC Received a proposed Interim Soil remediation Plan from AltaGeosciences for some additional soil excavation and soil confirmation sampling. Soil sampling conducted earlier in July 2022 (but not yet reported to ADEC) found seven sample results that contained PCBs between 10 mg/kg and 46 mg/kg. Coordination with EPA TSCA is ongoing. Jim Fish
10/4/2022 Meeting or Teleconference Held Meeting with PRPs, DOL and EPA Region 10 TSCA held to discuss current cleanup efforts and goals, and closure requirements under DEC regulations. Update on cleanup goals from PRPs is anticipated in the near future. Jim Fish
12/15/2022 Update or Other Action Received 2022 August Interim Soil Remediation Report and update from consultant that a Human Health and Environmental Risk Assessment, together with recommendations for appropriate further remediation actions and land use restrictions, will be submitted to EPA TSCA as part of a revised Application for Risk Based Closure. Jim Fish

Contaminant Information

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No associated sites were found.

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