Site Report: NARL - Old Waste Disposal Area

Site Name:	NARL - Old Waste Disposal Area
Address:	0.5 Mile South of NARL, 5.5 Miles NE of Barrow, Barrow, AK 99723
File Number:	310.38.015
Hazard ID:	567
Status:	Active
Staff:	Kathleen Iler-Galau, 9074512153 kathleen.iler-galau@alaska.gov
Latitude:	71.323243
Longitude:	-156.670508
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.

Site Chronology
IC / Closure Details
Documents
Associated Sites

Problems/Comments

The 50-acre disposal area is located in the northwestern corner of the 535.5-acre Antenna Field Property, and was used from the late 1940s until the early 1950s to dispose of wastes generated at the NARL facility. Many types of waste were disposed of, including honey buckets, waste solvents, and waste oils. A communications area was located near the center of the Antenna Field Property and contained a communications hut, a Quonset hut, and two above-ground fuel storage tanks. Petroleum contamination was found in the above-ground storage tank location. Cross-reference file 310.38.008. The old waste disposal area is located approximately 0.5 miles south of the main NARL complex, between Middle Salt Lagoon and Imikpuk Lake. The site is assigned a HIGH site rank on the Navy Relative Risk Evaluation Worksheet dated 10/18/95. The worksheet identifies pathways as surface water transport, since much of the land that lies between the perimeter of the old waste disposal area and Lake Imikpuk is wet tundra. There is no groundwater pathway. Members of Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation have uncontrolled access to the site. The worksheet further states that soils encompassing the old waste site should not be disturbed to prevent lead or other contaminants from migrating into Imikpuk Lake, which is a potable water source for the Barrow area. During the mid-1950s, the Navy removed most of the debris from the old waste disposal area and deposited the collected waste in the South Salt Lagoon. NEESA (13-026) identified potential for radioactive material disposed in the old waste disposal area. Update added April 17, 2008: The waste disposal area and a separate communications facility location were both located within the Antenna Field Property, which consists of 535.5 acres. Outside of the waste disposal area (approx. 50 acres, located in the northwest corner) and the communications facility (approx. 2 acres, located roughly in the center), the rest is largely undeveloped tundra. Debris remains embedded in the permafrost in the waste disposal area, in some cases protruding as much as 2 feet above ground, and old antennas and a Quonset hut remain at the communications receiver site. The Navy ultimately expanded the Old Waste Disposal Area site to include the entire Antenna Field Property when conducting final characterization, cleanup, and closure. Update 9/16/2025: A removal action in 2023 to address lead contamination removed 23,000 lb of contaminated soil. Confirmation sampling found that lead remains above DEC Human Health cleanup levels in two areas at the site.

Action Information

Action Date	Action	Description	DEC Staff
4/9/1988	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Attended Barrow RAB meeting.	Tamar Stephens
4/15/1994	Update or Other Action	(Old R:Base Action Code = DMND - Demand Letter (LUST)). Staff requested Navy to conduct radioactive survey in area of Old Waste Disposal Site in conjunction with planned SI. Navy agreed but as of 12/94 survey had not been conducted.	Laura Noland
8/10/1994	Site Added to Database	Noland for Old Waste Disposal Area. File# 310.38.008.	Laura Noland
9/26/1994	Site Characterization Workplan Approved	(Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). ADEC received "Final Work Plan for Site Inspection Airstrip Fuel Spill and Old Waste Disposal Areas" dated August 5, 1994 by URS for the Navy. SI conducted in response to EPA concerns about the site and need to conduct HRS ranking. ADEC need not provide review due to time constraints.	Laura Noland
3/24/1997	Update or Other Action	Site updated by Shannon and Wilson, based on Navy Relative Risk Evaluation Worksheet dated 10/18/95.	S&W
4/15/1998	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Stephens and Schmidt attended Barrow RAB meeting.	Tamar Stephens
4/15/1998	Update or Other Action	Stephens and Schmidt performed site visit with Navy representatives.	Tamar Stephens
7/16/1998	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Attended Barrow RAB meeting.	Tamar Stephens
7/17/1998	Update or Other Action	DEC, Navy, and UIC representatives did a comprehensive walk through the site. Considerable drums and other debris near shore of Middle Salt Lagoon.	Tamar Stephens
10/5/1998	Update or Other Action	Sent comment letter on removal action work plan for debris cleanup.	Tamar Stephens
10/8/1998	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Attended Barrow RAB meeting.	Tamar Stephens
1/4/1999	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Attended Barrow RAB meeting.	Tamar Stephens
4/26/1999	Update or Other Action	Received report on removal action. Removal of drums, tanks, transformers at other NARL locations was completed, but weather prevented debris removal at this site.	Tamar Stephens
7/15/1999	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Attended Barrow RAB meeting.	Tamar Stephens
7/21/1999	Update or Other Action	Approval of Final Risk Assessment Work Plan for Barrow NARL Powerhouse Site. Action added by Sarah Riddle.	Tamar Stephens
9/17/1999	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Met with new Navy project manager, Langston Walker. He is revising scope of work for removal action to do further site characterization first, including series of test pits.	Tamar Stephens
11/4/1999	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.	Tamar Stephens
2/24/2000	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.	Tamar Stephens
3/22/2000	Update or Other Action	Review of NARL Powerhouse draft Baseline Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessments. Action added by Sarah Riddle.	Tamar Stephens
5/4/2000	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.	Tamar Stephens
7/26/2000	Site Number Identifier Changed	Changed the Region from 36 to 31 to reflect the correct Region.	Former Staff
1/18/2001	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.	Tamar Stephens
3/5/2001	Update or Other Action	File number updated from 310.38.008 to 310.38.015.	Mitzi Read
4/12/2001	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.	Tamar Stephens
11/8/2001	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.	Tamar Stephens
2/21/2002	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.	Tamar Stephens
9/19/2002	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.	Tamar Stephens
11/7/2002	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.	Tamar Stephens
12/31/2002	Update or Other Action	DEC discussed upcoming plans for this site with Navy project manager Langston Walker; updated DSMOA cooperative agreement work plan. Navy plans to do a focused risk assessment on the 40 acres of this site that is owned by UIC. This will occur during 2003, as funding allows.	Tamar Stephens
3/13/2003	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.	Tamar Stephens
6/19/2003	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.	Tamar Stephens
9/18/2003	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.	Tamar Stephens
12/11/2003	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.	Tamar Stephens
3/11/2004	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.	Tamar Stephens
9/23/2004	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.	Tamar Stephens
11/4/2004	Update or Other Action	Contaminated sites program staff Tamar Stephens reviewed an Environmental Baseline Survey (EBS). The EBS compiled all known information about the environmental condition of the Antenna Field, which includes the Old Waste Disposal Site. Review identified the following concerns. At the Old Waste Disposal Area there are data gaps for characterizing petroleum contamination; potential halogens based on field sampling along shoreline of Middle Salt Lagoon; need for a cumulative risk evaluation; the presence of considerable solid waste and the need to evaluate drum concentrations for potential product-bearing drums. The communications receiver area needs for further evaluation of the extent of petroleum contamination associated with the former above-ground storage tanks; rumored burial of transformers underneath the Quonset hut.	Tamar Stephens
12/9/2004	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Emily Youcha attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.	Tamar Stephens
3/10/2005	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.	Tamar Stephens
5/24/2005	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Stephens met with Navy and their consultant for various NARL items. Specifically discussed data gaps at Old Waste Disposal Area, the extent of sampling needed, and how to handle solid waste issue.	Tamar Stephens
5/25/2005	Meeting or Teleconference Held	Stephens met with Navy and Bureau of Land Management for discussion about land transfer issues.	Tamar Stephens
6/1/2005	Update or Other Action	Contaminated sites program staff Tamar Stephens reviewed a Conceptual Sampling Plan and sent comment by e-mail.	Tamar Stephens
6/27/2005	Meeting or Teleconference Held	A NARL Partnership meeting was held in Barrow between the Navy, UIC, and DEC (Tamar Stephens representing DEC). Issues about several NARL sites were discussed; sampling approach for the Antenna Field was agreed upon.	Tamar Stephens
12/8/2006	Update or Other Action	Contaminated sites program staff Tamar Stephens reviewed and commented on draft Sampling Report for sampling conducted during summer 2006.	Tamar Stephens
2/9/2007	Site Characterization Report Approved	Contaminated sites program staff Tamar Stephens reviewed and approved final Sampling Report for sampling conducted during summer 2006. Investigation of Middle Salt Lagoon sampled showed petroleum contamination very low or non-detect; no halogens detected. Investigation of eight debris concentration areas detected occasional minor petroleum contamination below cleanup levels. Magnetic locator did not find any buried metal under Quonset hut, and soil samples did not detect PCBs. Additional investigation of former Communications Area above-ground storage tank location found that petroleum contamination is limited and does not require cleanup. The report also provides a detailed mapping and photographic log of exposed debris. Debris is present throughout the Old Waste Disposal Area, partially or completely imbedded in permafrost. Stephens noted that although the contaminated sites program does not regulate the debris, the Navy should be aware that a few items of metal debris protruded greater than 2 feet from the ground surface, and pose a safety hazard, particularly to snow machine travel in the winter.	Tamar Stephens
2/26/2008	Record of Decision	ROD was signed for no further action on 1/15/08 by James Cline, Head, Corporate Logistics Department, Office of Naval Research, and on 12/6/07 by John Halverson, Environmental Program Manager, Contaminated Sites Program, ADEC. The ROD specifies conditional closure with an informational institutional control in the ADEC contaminated sites data base and on property records.	Tamar Stephens
2/26/2008	Institutional Control Record Established	Institutional control established. No cleanup remedy for COPCs is necessary for this site. All investigations indicated that measured COPC levels are below site cleanup standards, with the exception of the small AST area. The AST area had one sample for DRO (13,200 mg/Kg) slightly above the Method 2 Cleanup Levels (12,500 mg/Kg). Although this one sample was slightly above cleanup levels, subsequent sampling showed no contamination above Method 2 Cleanup Levels. Since this area is wetlands tundra, ADEC has concurred that, given the minimal contamination and the potential for damage to the tundra from any invasive activity, cleanup actions are not warranted at this location. The following information is provided for future property owners and site users. (1) A permitted demolition debris landfill is located within this area. (2) Miscellaneous debris will remain buried and/or imbedded in the permafrost throughout the northwestern portion of the sites. Minor quantities of contaminated soil may be present in some of the debris areas. Therefore any removal and disposal of debris will be done in accordance with 18 AAC 60 Solid Waste Management regulations. Management of any soil found to have incidental contamination will be in accordance with 18 AAC 75 Chapter 3. (3) DRO contamination remains in the soil at the location of the former above-ground storage tanks at the communications area at concentrations up to 8,310 mg/kg. Contamination is confined to a small area. This soil has the potential to cause a water quality violation or a potential risk if moved off site and placed in a more sensitive environment. Therefore, DEC approval must be obtained before moving soil from this area to another location.	Tamar Stephens
2/26/2008	Conditional Closure Approved	Site conditionally closed effective upon DEC Fairbanks office receiving the signed ROD (with signatures of Navy and DEC representatives) for recording in the database and filing with the site file.	Tamar Stephens
12/1/2012	Update or Other Action	Draft report called 'Demolition of Antenna Field Array and Miscellaneous Structures' is filed electronically.	John Carnahan
5/30/2014	Site Reopened	[Entry made by John Carnahan] A 2014, May 30 letter from DEC to UIC (cc: Navy) stated that this site was to be reopened due to the findings of the 2013 Field Investigation Report for Antenna Field. A request by UIC to consider this was discussed between DEC, UIC and the Navy, and the conclusion was determined to open both the Old Waste Disposal Area and a new Antenna Field Site.	Dennis Shepard
10/3/2014	Update or Other Action	Project oversight changed from Shephard to Carnahan.	John Carnahan
10/10/2016	Update or Other Action	DEC reviewed status of Old Waste Disposal Site and Antenna Field Site. Based on open status of both, DEC is proposing to close Middle Salt Lagoon site since initial contaminants were not identified in follow up investigations, and sources are being addressed through Old Waste Disposal Area site investigation.	John Carnahan
4/17/2019	Update or Other Action	Restoration advisory board (RAB) meeting held in Utqiagvik. Update provided on Umiat and others.	John Carnahan
7/22/2019	Update or Other Action	DEC provided a letter to the North Slope Borough re: the Uivaqsaagiaq Road Extension that bisects the Old Att. Field site and is in close proximity to the Old Waste Disposal Area alerting the NSB to DEC's spill reporting requirements. Contaminations is not known to be in the area directly impacted from the road construction, however robust reporting procedures should be in place.	Gretchen Caudill
6/2/2022	Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other	ADEC has reviewed and approved the Final Remedial Action Management Plan, 21 Barrow Site 1 Removal Action, Former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska, dated July 2022. A proposed excavation of 3 ft by 3 ft and less than 1 cubic yard of impacted soil will be removed from the site pending field screening for lead. confirmation samples will be collected to verify limits are less than ADEC CULs.	Cascade Galasso-Irish
6/10/2024	CERCLA Removal Action Report	DEC provided comments on the Draft Construction Completion Report, 21 Barrow Site 1 Removal Action (2023), Former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska, dated March 2024 on May 9, 2024 and June 10, 2024. This report describes the specific tasks and procedures that were implemented during the Removal Action performed in 2023. The removal was due to lead exceedances in soil. Confirmation samples still document lead in two areas above DEC human health cleanup levels.	Sarah Bernhardt
9/4/2024	Meeting or Teleconference Held	August 29 2024 Barrow RAB Navy/USAF sites DEC staff attended the annual 2024 Barrow RAB on August 29. This meeting was held in-person in Utqiagvik, AK for the first time since 2019. A virtual option was available for those not able to travel. In attendance was US Air Force (USAF), US Navy, ADEC, Galen Driscoll, Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation (UIC), North Slope Borough, Bureau of Land Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Brice Engineering LLC, and 10 community representatives. USAF presented updates for Barter Island Long Range Radar Site (LRRS), Bullen Point Short Range Radar Site (SRRS), Oliktok LRRS, Point Barrow LRRS, Point Lay LRRS, and Cape Lisburne LRRS. US Navy provided updates for Point McIntyre, Icy Cape, and the former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory. USAF and US Navy answered and addressed numerous questions and concerns raised by the public. Several questions were focused on public outreach and engagement and the economic impact of cleanup activities conducted in and around North Slope Communities.	Kathleen Iler-Galau

Action Date

Action

Description

DEC Staff

4/9/1988

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Attended Barrow RAB meeting.

Tamar Stephens

4/15/1994

Update or Other Action

(Old R:Base Action Code = DMND - Demand Letter (LUST)). Staff requested Navy to conduct radioactive survey in area of Old Waste Disposal Site in conjunction with planned SI. Navy agreed but as of 12/94 survey had not been conducted.

Laura Noland

8/10/1994

Site Added to Database

Noland for Old Waste Disposal Area. File# 310.38.008.

Laura Noland

9/26/1994

Site Characterization Workplan Approved

(Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). ADEC received "Final Work Plan for Site Inspection Airstrip Fuel Spill and Old Waste Disposal Areas" dated August 5, 1994 by URS for the Navy. SI conducted in response to EPA concerns about the site and need to conduct HRS ranking. ADEC need not provide review due to time constraints.

Laura Noland

3/24/1997

Update or Other Action

Site updated by Shannon and Wilson, based on Navy Relative Risk Evaluation Worksheet dated 10/18/95.

S&W

4/15/1998

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Stephens and Schmidt attended Barrow RAB meeting.

Tamar Stephens

4/15/1998

Update or Other Action

Stephens and Schmidt performed site visit with Navy representatives.

Tamar Stephens

7/16/1998

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Attended Barrow RAB meeting.

Tamar Stephens

7/17/1998

Update or Other Action

DEC, Navy, and UIC representatives did a comprehensive walk through the site. Considerable drums and other debris near shore of Middle Salt Lagoon.

Tamar Stephens

10/5/1998

Update or Other Action

Sent comment letter on removal action work plan for debris cleanup.

Tamar Stephens

10/8/1998

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Attended Barrow RAB meeting.

Tamar Stephens

1/4/1999

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Attended Barrow RAB meeting.

Tamar Stephens

4/26/1999

Update or Other Action

Received report on removal action. Removal of drums, tanks, transformers at other NARL locations was completed, but weather prevented debris removal at this site.

Tamar Stephens

7/15/1999

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Attended Barrow RAB meeting.

Tamar Stephens

7/21/1999

Update or Other Action

Approval of Final Risk Assessment Work Plan for Barrow NARL Powerhouse Site. Action added by Sarah Riddle.

Tamar Stephens

9/17/1999

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Met with new Navy project manager, Langston Walker. He is revising scope of work for removal action to do further site characterization first, including series of test pits.

Tamar Stephens

11/4/1999

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.

Tamar Stephens

2/24/2000

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.

Tamar Stephens

3/22/2000

Update or Other Action

Review of NARL Powerhouse draft Baseline Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessments. Action added by Sarah Riddle.

Tamar Stephens

5/4/2000

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.

Tamar Stephens

7/26/2000

Site Number Identifier Changed

Changed the Region from 36 to 31 to reflect the correct Region.

Former Staff

1/18/2001

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.

Tamar Stephens

3/5/2001

Update or Other Action

File number updated from 310.38.008 to 310.38.015.

Mitzi Read

4/12/2001

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.

Tamar Stephens

11/8/2001

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.

Tamar Stephens

2/21/2002

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.

Tamar Stephens

9/19/2002

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.

Tamar Stephens

11/7/2002

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Barrow Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting.

Tamar Stephens

12/31/2002

Update or Other Action

DEC discussed upcoming plans for this site with Navy project manager Langston Walker; updated DSMOA cooperative agreement work plan. Navy plans to do a focused risk assessment on the 40 acres of this site that is owned by UIC. This will occur during 2003, as funding allows.

Tamar Stephens

3/13/2003

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.

Tamar Stephens

6/19/2003

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.

Tamar Stephens

9/18/2003

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.

Tamar Stephens

12/11/2003

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.

Tamar Stephens

3/11/2004

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.

Tamar Stephens

9/23/2004

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.

Tamar Stephens

11/4/2004

Update or Other Action

Contaminated sites program staff Tamar Stephens reviewed an Environmental Baseline Survey (EBS). The EBS compiled all known information about the environmental condition of the Antenna Field, which includes the Old Waste Disposal Site. Review identified the following concerns. At the Old Waste Disposal Area there are data gaps for characterizing petroleum contamination; potential halogens based on field sampling along shoreline of Middle Salt Lagoon; need for a cumulative risk evaluation; the presence of considerable solid waste and the need to evaluate drum concentrations for potential product-bearing drums. The communications receiver area needs for further evaluation of the extent of petroleum contamination associated with the former above-ground storage tanks; rumored burial of transformers underneath the Quonset hut.

Tamar Stephens

12/9/2004

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Emily Youcha attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.

Tamar Stephens

3/10/2005

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting in Barrow.

Tamar Stephens

5/24/2005

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Stephens met with Navy and their consultant for various NARL items. Specifically discussed data gaps at Old Waste Disposal Area, the extent of sampling needed, and how to handle solid waste issue.

Tamar Stephens

5/25/2005

Meeting or Teleconference Held

Stephens met with Navy and Bureau of Land Management for discussion about land transfer issues.

Tamar Stephens

6/1/2005

Update or Other Action

Contaminated sites program staff Tamar Stephens reviewed a Conceptual Sampling Plan and sent comment by e-mail.

Tamar Stephens

6/27/2005

Meeting or Teleconference Held

A NARL Partnership meeting was held in Barrow between the Navy, UIC, and DEC (Tamar Stephens representing DEC). Issues about several NARL sites were discussed; sampling approach for the Antenna Field was agreed upon.

Tamar Stephens

12/8/2006

Update or Other Action

Contaminated sites program staff Tamar Stephens reviewed and commented on draft Sampling Report for sampling conducted during summer 2006.

Tamar Stephens

2/9/2007

Site Characterization Report Approved

Contaminated sites program staff Tamar Stephens reviewed and approved final Sampling Report for sampling conducted during summer 2006. Investigation of Middle Salt Lagoon sampled showed petroleum contamination very low or non-detect; no halogens detected. Investigation of eight debris concentration areas detected occasional minor petroleum contamination below cleanup levels. Magnetic locator did not find any buried metal under Quonset hut, and soil samples did not detect PCBs. Additional investigation of former Communications Area above-ground storage tank location found that petroleum contamination is limited and does not require cleanup. The report also provides a detailed mapping and photographic log of exposed debris. Debris is present throughout the Old Waste Disposal Area, partially or completely imbedded in permafrost. Stephens noted that although the contaminated sites program does not regulate the debris, the Navy should be aware that a few items of metal debris protruded greater than 2 feet from the ground surface, and pose a safety hazard, particularly to snow machine travel in the winter.

Tamar Stephens

2/26/2008

Record of Decision

ROD was signed for no further action on 1/15/08 by James Cline, Head, Corporate Logistics Department, Office of Naval Research, and on 12/6/07 by John Halverson, Environmental Program Manager, Contaminated Sites Program, ADEC. The ROD specifies conditional closure with an informational institutional control in the ADEC contaminated sites data base and on property records.

Tamar Stephens

2/26/2008

Institutional Control Record Established

Institutional control established. No cleanup remedy for COPCs is necessary for this site. All investigations indicated that measured COPC levels are below site cleanup standards, with the exception of the small AST area. The AST area had one sample for DRO (13,200 mg/Kg) slightly above the Method 2 Cleanup Levels (12,500 mg/Kg). Although this one sample was slightly above cleanup levels, subsequent sampling showed no contamination above Method 2 Cleanup Levels. Since this area is wetlands tundra, ADEC has concurred that, given the minimal contamination and the potential for damage to the tundra from any invasive activity, cleanup actions are not warranted at this location. The following information is provided for future property owners and site users. (1) A permitted demolition debris landfill is located within this area. (2) Miscellaneous debris will remain buried and/or imbedded in the permafrost throughout the northwestern portion of the sites. Minor quantities of contaminated soil may be present in some of the debris areas. Therefore any removal and disposal of debris will be done in accordance with 18 AAC 60 Solid Waste Management regulations. Management of any soil found to have incidental contamination will be in accordance with 18 AAC 75 Chapter 3. (3) DRO contamination remains in the soil at the location of the former above-ground storage tanks at the communications area at concentrations up to 8,310 mg/kg. Contamination is confined to a small area. This soil has the potential to cause a water quality violation or a potential risk if moved off site and placed in a more sensitive environment. Therefore, DEC approval must be obtained before moving soil from this area to another location.

Tamar Stephens

2/26/2008

Conditional Closure Approved

Site conditionally closed effective upon DEC Fairbanks office receiving the signed ROD (with signatures of Navy and DEC representatives) for recording in the database and filing with the site file.

Tamar Stephens

12/1/2012

Update or Other Action

Draft report called 'Demolition of Antenna Field Array and Miscellaneous Structures' is filed electronically.

John Carnahan

5/30/2014

Site Reopened

[Entry made by John Carnahan] A 2014, May 30 letter from DEC to UIC (cc: Navy) stated that this site was to be reopened due to the findings of the 2013 Field Investigation Report for Antenna Field. A request by UIC to consider this was discussed between DEC, UIC and the Navy, and the conclusion was determined to open both the Old Waste Disposal Area and a new Antenna Field Site.

Dennis Shepard

10/3/2014

Update or Other Action

Project oversight changed from Shephard to Carnahan.

John Carnahan

10/10/2016

Update or Other Action

DEC reviewed status of Old Waste Disposal Site and Antenna Field Site. Based on open status of both, DEC is proposing to close Middle Salt Lagoon site since initial contaminants were not identified in follow up investigations, and sources are being addressed through Old Waste Disposal Area site investigation.

John Carnahan

4/17/2019

Update or Other Action

Restoration advisory board (RAB) meeting held in Utqiagvik. Update provided on Umiat and others.

John Carnahan

7/22/2019

Update or Other Action

DEC provided a letter to the North Slope Borough re: the Uivaqsaagiaq Road Extension that bisects the Old Att. Field site and is in close proximity to the Old Waste Disposal Area alerting the NSB to DEC's spill reporting requirements. Contaminations is not known to be in the area directly impacted from the road construction, however robust reporting procedures should be in place.

Gretchen Caudill

6/2/2022

Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other

ADEC has reviewed and approved the Final Remedial Action Management Plan, 21 Barrow Site 1 Removal Action, Former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska, dated July 2022. A proposed excavation of 3 ft by 3 ft and less than 1 cubic yard of impacted soil will be removed from the site pending field screening for lead. confirmation samples will be collected to verify limits are less than ADEC CULs.

Cascade Galasso-Irish

6/10/2024

CERCLA Removal Action Report

DEC provided comments on the Draft Construction Completion Report, 21 Barrow Site 1 Removal Action (2023), Former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska, dated March 2024 on May 9, 2024 and June 10, 2024. This report describes the specific tasks and procedures that were implemented during the Removal Action performed in 2023. The removal was due to lead exceedances in soil. Confirmation samples still document lead in two areas above DEC human health cleanup levels.

Sarah Bernhardt

9/4/2024

Meeting or Teleconference Held

August 29 2024 Barrow RAB Navy/USAF sites DEC staff attended the annual 2024 Barrow RAB on August 29. This meeting was held in-person in Utqiagvik, AK for the first time since 2019. A virtual option was available for those not able to travel. In attendance was US Air Force (USAF), US Navy, ADEC, Galen Driscoll, Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation (UIC), North Slope Borough, Bureau of Land Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Brice Engineering LLC, and 10 community representatives. USAF presented updates for Barter Island Long Range Radar Site (LRRS), Bullen Point Short Range Radar Site (SRRS), Oliktok LRRS, Point Barrow LRRS, Point Lay LRRS, and Cape Lisburne LRRS. US Navy provided updates for Point McIntyre, Icy Cape, and the former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory. USAF and US Navy answered and addressed numerous questions and concerns raised by the public. Several questions were focused on public outreach and engagement and the economic impact of cleanup activities conducted in and around North Slope Communities.

Kathleen Iler-Galau

Contaminant Information

Name

Level Description

Media

Comments

Control Type

Type

Details

Requirements

Description

Details

2023 FINAL CONSTRUCTION COMPLETION REPORT 21 Barrow Site 1 Removal Action (2023) Former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska (28 MB)

No associated sites were found.

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Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

Site Report: NARL - Old Waste Disposal Area

Site Chronology

IC / Closure Details

Documents

Associated Sites

Problems/Comments

Action Information

Contaminant Information

Control Type

Requirements

2023 FINAL CONSTRUCTION COMPLETION REPORT 21 Barrow Site 1 Removal Action (2023) Former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska (28 MB)

Missing Location Data

State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation