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Site Report: Kobuk Abandoned Tank Farm

Site Name: Kobuk Abandoned Tank Farm
Address: Kobuk-Dahl Creek Airport Road, Lot 26 Within US Survey 3378, Kobuk, AK 99751
File Number: 480.38.002
Hazard ID: 4615
Status: Active
Staff: Dawn Wilburn, 9072628200 dawn.wilburn@alaska.gov
Latitude: 66.906134
Longitude: -156.881836
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

Historic petroleum contamination discovered at location of former tank farm. This site was established in 1991 after a 4,000-gallon underground storage tank (UST) used to supply new motor oil to the Jiffy Lube facility (formerly known as Q-Lube) failed a tank tightness test 2007 In September of 2007, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Reuse and Redevelopment Program (R&R) completed a DEC Brownfield Assessment and Cleanup (DBAC) at the Kobuk’s former fuel storage location; also known as the Kobuk Abandoned Tank Farm Site. During the limited cleanup of this project, roughly 270 cubic yards (CY) of soil were generated and stockpiled just outside the Kobuk landfill. 03/01/2008 - up to 300 cubic yards of contaminated material were removed from the site in 2007 and relocated to a stockpile near the Kobuk landfill. This material was tested at an average concentration below 2,000 parts per million (ppm) as diesel range organics (DRO). The intent is to use this material as daily cover in year 2008. The City of Kobuk owns this site and maintained a tank farm prior to the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) bulk fuel consolidation. Kobuk sought and obtained a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), to procure a new emergency generator for their community. The site had not been previously assessed, but it was assumed there are historical petroleum impacts that Kobuk would like to address before reusing the site. In addition to the CDBG, the community has also obtained dedicated funds to conduct some cleanup of the site. The site was prioritized for a DEC Brownfield Assessment in 2007. Site reassigned to a 38 designation on this date. FKA 480.57.001. On August 15, 2012, Shannon & Wilson Incorporated (S&W) collected five soil samples from the stockpile. The samples were analyzed for diesel range organics (DRO) and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (collectively known as BTEX). Four of the samples exhibited concentrations of DRO above DEC migration-to-groundwater (MTG) cleanup level, which is 250 mg/kg. Concentrations of DRO ranged from 186 mg/kg to 3,640 mg/kg. None of the samples contained BTEX concentrations above DEC’s cleanup levels. Kobuk has a relatively dry climate with precipitation averaging 17 inches per year and a snowfall average of approximately 56 inches.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
5/1/2007 Brownfields Award FY 2008 EPA State and Tribal Response Program (STRP) funds $37,532 awarded to City of Kobuk for a Site Characterization and Cleanup oversight at Kobuk Abandoned Tank Farm (Emergency Generator Proposed Site). NTP# 18-9028-10. Current status: Cleanup completed although small stockpile requires assessment. Insufficient funding at this time. Edit: Site received a phase I (12-2007) and a Remedial Action Report (3/2008). John Carnahan
7/23/2007 Cleanup Assumed by ADEC Community considered non-viable and unable to address assessment and cleanup. John Carnahan
9/20/2007 Cleanup Plan Approved Received workplan and provided final comments to consultant. Cleanup is targeted toward the most that can be done with available budget, and not specifically closure. John Carnahan
10/26/2007 Final Cleanup Report Reviewed DEC completed letter of no objection to use of site as proposed for a back-up generator. Finding of no significant exposure was sent to Mayor of Kobuk for use in their procurement of CDBG funding. John Carnahan
3/14/2008 Update or Other Action Report entitled "Remedial Action Report, New Backup Generator Site, Kobuk, Alaska" and dated March 6, 2008 was received from SLR International Corporation on March 14, 2008. The report details the removal of approximately 270 cubic yards of contaminated soil from the Kobuk Abandoned Tank Farm in September 2007. The removed soil was stockpiled next to the current Kobuk landfill. Excavation was limited by the existence of an on-site aboveground storage tank that was left in place, and an in-use sewer line that was not disturbed. Ten soil samples were collected from the excavation area and analyzed for DRO, BTEX, PAHs, and lead. One sample collected 17 feet east of the pump building, 16 feet bgs, contained benzene up to 0.471 mg/kg and ethylbenzene up to 0.413 mg/kg. One soil sample collected beneath the AST tank valve, 1.5 feet below the liner, contained DRO at 2,660 mg/kg. All other samples from the excavation area were below cleanup levels. The 270 cubic yards of stockpiled soil were also tested for contamination. Eight samples were collected. The stockpile samples contained DRO, benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene above DEC's cleanup levels. Melinda Brunner
3/28/2008 Site Added to Database Site added to the database. Mitzi Read
10/6/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 75664 name: City of Kobuk Former Fuel Tank Farm John Carnahan
2/3/2012 Brownfields Award NTP for FY 2012 approved on this date. EPA STRP funds $1721 awarded to Kobuk for stockpile sampling and environmental site evaluation. Project on hold for 2012. Report goes with 2013 work. Cascade Galasso-Irish
2/6/2012 Update or Other Action PM changed from Carnahan to Brunner, per Carnahan. John Carnahan
3/12/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Draft document entitled "Work Plan for Stockpile Sampling and Management, Kobuk Abandoned Tank Farm, Kobuk, Alaska" received from Shannon & Wilson, Inc. on 03/07/2012. The draft work plan describes the proposed sampling of approximately 270 cubic yards of stockpiled soil for diesel-range organics and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes in Kobuk, Alaska. The stockpiled soil is located next to the current Kobuk landfill. The stockpiled soil is from the 2007 cleanup at the Kobuk Abandoned Tank Farm. The stockpile sampling is proposed for Summer 2012. Comments on the draft work plan returned to Shannon & Wilson by Brunner on 03/12/12. Melinda Brunner
3/29/2012 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Finalized document entitled "Work Plan for Stockpile Sampling and Management, Kobuk Abandoned Tank Farm, Kobuk, Alaska" received from Shannon & Wilson, Inc. and approved by Brunner. The stockpile sampling is planned for Summer 2012. Melinda Brunner
7/19/2012 Brownfields Award FY 2013 EPA State and Tribal Response Program (STRP) funds $11,434 awarded to City of Kobuk for stockpile sampling and environmental site evaluation of Kobuk abandoned Tank Farm. NTP# 18400212050. Current status: NTP in progress, continuing work from 2012. Cascade Galasso-Irish
11/13/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Draft letter report entitled, "Stockpile Sampling and Management, Kobuk Abandoned Tank Farm, Kobuk, Alaska; ADEC Hazard ID 4615" received from Shannon & Wilson on 11/07/2012. The draft report describes the stockpile sampling and backup generator site reconnaissance done in Kobuk by Shannon & Wilson at DEC's request in August 2012. Lab results show the stockpile still contains diesel range organics above DEC's cleanup levels, with found concentrations ranging from 186 to 3,640 mg/kg. Brunner reviewed the draft letter report, and returned comments to Shannon & Wilson on it on 11/13/2012. Melinda Brunner
1/8/2013 Site Characterization Report Approved Brunner reviewed and approved Shannon & Wilson's letter report dated November 20, 2012 regarding the sampling of soil taken from the Kobuk Abandoned Tank Farm and stockpiled in 2007. The report describes the stockpile sampling and backup generator site reconnaissance done in Kobuk by Shannon & Wilson at DEC's request in August 2012. Lab results show the stockpile still contains diesel range organics above DEC's migration-to-groundwater cleanup levels, with found concentrations ranging from 186 to 3,640 mg/kg. These concentrations are, however, below DEC's cleanup levels for direct contact and inhalation. Melinda Brunner
1/9/2013 Update or Other Action Letter sent to Mayor Edward Gooden, Jr. of the City of Kobuk transmitting two copies of Shannon & Wilson's report dated November 20, 2012 regarding the results of sampling done on the stockpiled soil from the Kobuk Abandoned Tank Farm. The stockpiled soil is located next to the Kobuk dump. The letter explains that the detected contaminant concentrations in the stockpiled soil were still above DEC cleanup levels as of 2012, and asks the City to contact DEC by February 28, 2013 to discuss further management of the stockpile. Melinda Brunner
8/20/2014 Update or Other Action Sent a letter on this day requesting an update on the soil stockpile and to discuss future management. Joshua Barsis
5/8/2015 Update or Other Action Shannon and Wilson awarded (ADEC) Hazardous Substance Spill Prevention and Response Contract 18-8036-03. ADEC authorization to proceed was dated on May 8, 2015. Notice to Proceed No. 18-8036-03-030. The purpose of this project is to collect soil samples from the contaminated soil stockpile with an objective of determining whether it is appropriate to utilize the stockpile as daily landfill cover. Jessica Hall
6/15/2015 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed the Contaminated Soil Stockpile Sampling report, dated June 9, 2015. Five soil samples were collected from between 1.5 and 1.7 feet below the surface of the contaminated stockpile, and were submitted for DRO analysis only. The stockpile is located just outside the Kobuk landfill and measured roughly 55 feet long, 25 to 30 feet wide, and between 2 and 6 feet deep. The southern portion of the stockpile was around 2 feet deep, while the northern portion was around 6 feet deep. Soil samples results ranged between 144 mg/kg and 927 mg/kg DRO. Stockpile was disposed of at landfill and used as cover material. Joshua Barsis
6/24/2019 Update or Other Action Site location was updated on this date. Coordinates for this site are used to determine the presence and position of the site on BLM’s ANCSA Conveyed Land web map. Rebekah Reams
11/13/2019 Update or Other Action Public water system is located 650 feet to the north.During well installation in 1978, groundwater was encountered and screened beginning at 25 feet bgs. Grant Lidren
3/20/2020 Update or Other Action File reassigned on this date. FKA 480.57.001 Cascade Galasso-Irish
12/27/2021 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Sent Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Letter to the City of Kobuk. Jessica Hall

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State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

P.O. Box 111800
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