| Action Date |
Action |
Description |
DEC Staff |
| 8/31/2005 |
Update or Other Action |
300 gallon heating oil above-ground storage tank (AST) was located on the north side of Birdhouse #1. The resident purportedly identified a leak on either the AST or its conveyance piping in August 2005. |
Louis Howard |
| 10/19/2005 |
Update or Other Action |
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment received by ADEC. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) chose to prepare a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) at the St. George White Birdhouse in St. George, Alaska (Lot 1 of
Tract 41, East Landing Subdivision, Seward Meridian, Alaska, Latitude 56º 36’ 8.87” N, Longitude 169º 32’ 38.98” W, WGS 84, as shown on the plat of rectangular net survey, officially filed February 15, 1985; Tract 41, Lot 1; 1976 MOU: Parcel 13h; 1984 Transfer of Property Agreement (TOPA): Site 35). The Phase I ESA was conducted in accordance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Practice E1527-00, Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process (ASTM 2000).
NOAA, the trustee for the subject property, performed the Phase I ESA. Mr. Malcolm Fleming (Superintendent of the Pribilof School District) and David Winandy (Environmental Engineer for
NOAA’s Pribilof Project Office) were interviewed regarding the environmental condition of the subject property The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) online Contaminated Sites Database (CSD) was reviewed with regard to state environmental records for the subject property, as well
as other potential contaminated sites on St. George Island.
The results of this investigation represent a review of current conditions based on available information and limited observations. In addition to conducting a site reconnaissance, NOAA performed an Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) Building Inspection and Lead-Based Paint Inspection for the house. NOAA also performed a detailed review of historic records available from Federal and State databases, and obtained historic records information from the current property owner, NOAA.
Historical information related to the subject property indicates the house was constructed in the early 1980s and the subject property was unused prior to that, based on records available at NOAA as well as from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration’s Pacific Alaska Regional Office in Anchorage, Alaska.
The assessment revealed evidence of recognized environmental conditions in connection with the subject property. Specifically, NOAA determined the following conditions at the subject property:
• The subject property was uninhabited at the time of inspection.
• No asbestos was encountered in the building.
• No lead-based paint was encountered on the building interior or exterior.
The Phase I ESA was conducted based on site boundaries recognized by NOAA as of May 15, 2005. This assessment has not revealed evidence of recognized environmental conditions in connection with the property that would inhibit property transfer. NOAA staff recommends property transfer under the TOPA.
STORAGE TANKS-Purpose and Scope: The presence of current and historic aboveground storage tanks (AST) and
underground storage tanks (UST) at the subject property is carefully evaluated during a Phase I ESA. Storage tanks are recognized as major potential sources of environmental contamination. Contamination of soil and/or groundwater may occur as a result of spills, overfills, or releases from tank systems. Such contamination would require remediation, and the property owner or operator could be responsible for remediation costs.
Observations: Currently, an estimated 300-gallon heating oil AST exists at the subject property. No signs of releases were observed. |
Louis Howard |
| 3/6/2006 |
Update or Other Action |
Above-ground storage tank released its heating oil contents in March 2006. The District responded to the release of an estimated 300 gallons of heating oil from the AST in March 2006. The District removed the leaking AST from service, and removed an estimated 20 cubic feet of surface soil and ice containing visible petroleum.
The soil and ice were placed in a lined Flexible Intermodal Bulk Container (FIBC), palletized, and temporarily stored at NOAA’s petroleum-contaminated soil (PCS) stockpile awaiting final disposal. The District also relocated its AST to NOAA’s PCS
stockpile, where it awaits decommissioning and disposal. The District placed an oil retaining ring around the former AST location and placed absorbent pads on the exposed soil to retain additional heating oil mobilized during the spring thaw. The estimated
maximum lateral extent of contamination, based on field observations, is 562 square feet.
Malcolm Flemming reported the release stating about 60 gallons was released and 20 gallons were contained and recovered. Report was received by PERP on March 7, 2006 and a letter of interest was issued on March 16, 2006. |
Louis Howard |
| 7/5/2006 |
Update or Other Action |
Corrective Action Plan received by staff. The purpose of this Corrective Action Plan (CAP) is to outline the strategy, rationale, and procedures leading to the removal of potential petroleum contaminated soil (PCS) from the area at and adjacent to a leaking above ground storage tank (AST) formerly located at
Birdhouse #1. The District, with technical assistance from NOAA, intends to remove the aforementioned contamination to satisfy responsible party requirements described in 18 Alaska Administrative Code (AAC) Chapter 75 (ADEC 2005).
Birdhouse #1 is located in the eastern portion of St. George Village on Lot 1 of Tract 41, East Landing Subdivision, Seward Meridian, Alaska, as shown on the plat of rectangular net survey, officially filed February 15, 1985; Tract 41, Lot 1; 1976 MOU: Parcel 13h;
TOPA: Site 35 (Figure 1). Coordinates for Birdhouse #1 are latitude 56º 36’ 8.87” North and longitude 169º 32’ 38.98” West. Tract 41 was subdivided into Lots 1 and 2 in the 1980s; Birdhouse #1 occupies Lot 1, while Lot 2 includes the St. George School and
associated schoolyard.
The first known use of the subject property began in 1954, prior to subdivision of Tract 41 when this tract was used for construction of the classroom wing of the St. George School, based on records available at NOAA as well as from the U.S. National Archives
and Records Administration’s Pacific Alaska Regional Office in Anchorage, Alaska. The location currently called Lot 1 was undeveloped prior that date. The District constructed
a house, referred to as Birdhouse #1, on Tract 41 in the early 1980s. No other activities are known to have occurred on Lot 1.
Successful implementation of the CAP addendum will facilitate the District’s receipt of a Conditional Closure determination from the ADEC, meaning ADEC would require No Further Remedial Action at this site. The Conditional Closure determination will enable the transfer of the affected property under the TOPA.
The objective for this site is the removal of all PCS, to the extent practicable, that exceeds the ADEC Method Two cleanup levels for gasoline-range organics (GRO), DRO, residual-range organics (RRO), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and total xylenes
(BTEX), and select polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The extent of PCS contamination to be removed at this site will be limited by sidewall sloping requirements to prevent damaging adjacent structures (buried utilities, Birdhouse #1 to the south, road
to the west) and healthy native tundra grass to the north and east.
Excavation will not extend deeper than 15 ft below ground surface (bgs) due to impracticabilities associated with deep excavating. Excavation will cease once refusal is encountered, with refusal defined as the presence of consolidated or semi-consolidated soil causing the excavator bucket to release water vapor or smoke due to friction. If the estimated maximum lateral extent of contamination were removed to 15 ft bgs, the removed soil volume would be approximately 310 cubic yards (yd3).
been interpreted to flow eastward, then eventually northward towards the Bering Sea. The water table was found in the adjacent monitoring well at a depth of 38.9 ft bgs. The site is approximately 1/4 mile north of the City of St. George
abandoned, brackish water, municipal water supply wells, which are located near Upper Lake. The site is over 0.5 miles from the current municipal water supply wells, which are south and east of Upper Lake. The site has no identified surface water resources within its boundaries.
NOAA monitoring wells located in the vicinity of the site include upgradient well TPA22.1-MW-1 and downgradient wells TPA24-MW-1, TPA24-MW-2, and TPA24-MW-3. |
Louis Howard |
| 7/11/2006 |
Cleanup Plan Approved |
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) has received the corrective action plan for the removal of petroleum contaminated soil at the Pribilof School District Birdhouse #1 on St. George Island. The release was from a 300 gallon heating oil leaking above ground storage tank that was formerly located at the residence (Birdhouse #1). ADEC has reviewed the document and will approve the document as submitted to conduct the removal, to the maximum extent practicable, and subsequent transport/disposal of petroleum contaminated soil at the City
of St. George's old landfill for beneficial reuse as closure soil or
additional cover material. |
Louis Howard |
| 7/12/2006 |
Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program |
Case closed by PERP and site transferred to CS for oversight. |
Louis Howard |
| 2/16/2007 |
Update or Other Action |
ADEC sent a letter to Jamie Stacks Superintendent Pribilof School District, RE: Corrective Action Report and Conditional Closure Request at Pribilof School District Birdhouse #1 dated January 16, 2007. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (the department) received the above document on February 2, 2007 for the release from an above-ground heating fuel storage tank located on the north side of the Bird House #1 which is owned and operated by the Pribilof School District (identified as the “responsible person ”). The site is located at the following coordinates – latitude 56º 36’ 8.87” North and longitude 169º 32’ 38.98” West.
The District’s initial response and subsequent corrective actions for the heating fuel release have been satisfactory. The excavated diesel range organics (DRO) contaminated soil has been transported to NOAA’s petroleum contaminated stockpile for future disposition. The DRO contaminated soil has since been moved to the City of St. George’s landfill sites for use as daily cover and closure material. Residual DRO contamination remains at the site above the department’s most stringent cleanup levels which do not allow for unrestricted use (11,000 mg/kg DRO from a sample taken just below the house footing and 1,400 mg/kg DRO in the vicinity of sample SGBH1-CS-012-060 where refusal was encountered).
The DRO contamination has been removed to the maximum extent practicable based on the following conditions:
1) encountering refusal during excavation due to the presence of consolidated soil,
2) a buried sewer line,
3) an adjacent city road to the west, and
4) undermining of the foundation of the Bird House #1 if additional excavation occurs. The department has concluded that a designation of conditional closure is appropriate for the site known as Bird House #1.
Based on our review of the document and the information provided therein, the department has determined the current site conditions do not pose an unacceptable threat to human health or safety, welfare, or the environment. The department has based this determination on the most current and complete information available to the department. However, residual DRO contamination present at the site will require institutional controls . The department will require the Pribilof School District to perform additional containment or cleanup if subsequent information indicates that DRO contamination that remains does pose an an unacceptable risk to human health, safety, or welfare, or the environment.
Site closure at the Bird House #1 shall be granted by the department when it meets the following criteria for soil:
• DRO contamination is below the most stringent cleanup human health levels established in 18 AAC 75.341;
Additionally, a “Notice of Environmental Cleanup: Alternative Soil Cleanup Level and Limitation of Moving Soil Off-Site” shall be recorded along with the property deed for the Bird House #1. This environmental notice, a copy of this letter, and a copy of the January 16, 2007 Corrective Action Report (including all figures/maps) will remain on file with the Pribilof School District and shall be provided to any future landowners. Copies will also be kept on file with the department. Ensuring that the institutional controls regarding soil management will be maintained will be the responsibility of the landowner if the property is leased out or the new landowner if the property is transferred outright. |
Louis Howard |
| 2/27/2007 |
Conditional Closure Approved |
Signature Page signed by Jamie Stacks (Superintendent PS District) on February 27, 2006 and Jennifer Roberts (ADEC) and February 16, 2007. Approvals: This is to confirm that all corrective action has been completed to the maximum extent practicable for the heating fuel release at the site: Bird House #1, St. George Island, Alaska. ADEC has required that a "Notice of Environmental Cleanup: Alternative Soil Cleanup Level and Limitation of Moving Soil Off-Site" be recorded along with the property deed as long as residual contamination remains above levels which would allow for unrestricted use.
A copy of ADEC's conditional closure letter detailing institutional controls for the site and a copy of the January 16, 2007 Corrective Action Report (and all figures/maps), will be filed with the Pribilof School District. This information will be provided to future landowners and/or leaseholders as part of this conditional closure granted by ADEC. |
Jennifer Roberts |
| 3/27/2007 |
Long Term Monitoring Established |
Long term monitoring for the Bird House #1 heating oil AST release will be dependent on the following monitoring wells in the vicinity of the site include upgradient well TPA22.1-MW-1 and downgradient wells TPA24-MW-1, TPA24-MW-2, and TPA24-MW-3. |
Louis Howard |
| 3/27/2007 |
Institutional Control Record Established |
Diesel range organics (DRO) contamination has been removed to the maximum extent practicable based on the following conditions: 1) encountering refusal during excavation due to the presence of consolidated soil, 2) a buried sewer line, 3) an adjacent city road to the west, and 4) undermining of the foundation of the Bird House #1 if additional excavation occurs.
Residual DRO contamination present at the site will require institutional controls . The department will require the Pribilof School District to perform additional containment or cleanup if subsequent information indicates that DRO contamination that remains does pose an an unacceptable risk to human health, safety, or welfare, or the environment.
A Notice of Environmental Cleanup will be filed which indicates an alternative soil cleanup level has been determined for the site and there is a limitation on moving soil off-site.
In the event that the remaining DRO contaminated soil becomes accessible through:
1) the removal of the foundation at the Bird House #1;
2) the removal of the adjacent buried sewer line; or
3) the removal of the adjacent city road to the west; or;
4) future development plans that entail excavation of contaminated soil, or;
5) other information becomes available which indicates that the site may pose an unacceptable risk to human health, safety, welfare or the environment,
the land owner and/or operator will be required under 18 AAC 75.300 to notify the department and additional characterization or cleanup may be requested.
Also, any transport or disposal of DRO contaminated soil excavated from the site will require prior approval from the department in accordance with 18 AAC 75.325(i). Soil containing residual DRO contamination may not be placed in surface water or other environmentally sensitive areas.
This environmental notice, a copy of this letter, and a copy of the January 16, 2007 Corrective Action Report (including all figures/maps) will remain on file with the Pribilof School District and shall be provided to any future landowners. Copies will also be kept on file with the department. Ensuring that the institutional controls regarding soil management will be maintained will be the responsibility of the landowner if the property is leased out or the new landowner if the property is transferred outright. |
Louis Howard |
| 5/9/2007 |
Update or Other Action |
ADEC (L. Howard) sent letter to NOAA (J. Lindsay) RE: Corrective Action Report and Conditional Closure Request at Pribilof School District Bird House #1 dated January 16, 2007. On February 16, 2007, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation approved a conditional closure request from the Pribilof Island School District for the heating fuel release at the site known as Bird House #1, St. George Island, Alaska. This conditional closure approval is also granted to NOAA, as the landowner. ADEC concurs that all corrective action has been completed to the maximum extent practicable for the site.
This site will require a “Notice of Environmental Cleanup: Alternative Soil Cleanup Level and Limitation of Moving Soil Off-Site” be recorded along with the property deed as long as residual contamination remains above levels which would allow for unrestricted use. A copy of ADEC’s conditional closure letter detailing institutional controls for the site and a copy of the January 16, 2007 Corrective Action Report (and all figures/maps), is on file with the Pribilof School District. This information will be provided to future landowners and/or leaseholders as a part of this conditional closure granted by ADEC. |
Louis Howard |
| 6/2/2008 |
Site Added to Database |
Site added to the database. |
Mitzi Read |
| 6/2/2008 |
Exposure Tracking Model Ranking |
Initial ranking with ETM completed. |
Louis Howard |
| 9/26/2008 |
Update or Other Action |
Also includes NOAA Site No. 33, Non-Two Party Agrement (NTPA) site School AST. Site conditions as of August 6, 2008: contaminated soil, UST/AST/Pipeline. Clean closure. Site Status as of September 26, 2008: NFRAP 05/24/2005, NFRAP 06/20/2005. Property Owner-NOAA. |
Louis Howard |
