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Site Report: Eareckson Air Station SS17

Site Name: Eareckson Air Station SS17
Address: New Cobra Dane, Amchitka, AK 99546
File Number: 2649.38.001, 2649.38.017
Hazard ID: 57
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 52.737161
Longitude: 174.090927
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

New Cobra Dane. Transformer oil potentially disposed, operations dates from 1977 - 1980s. NFAD approved in 1995. Eareckson AS is situated on Shemya Island, approximately 1,500 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska at the westernmost tip of the Aleutian Islands. Shemya Island is part of the Near Islands group of the Aleutian Archipelago. Shemya Island is owned by the U.S. Government and is under the jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. The U.S. Army first developed facilities on Shemya Island in 1943 to support operations against the Japanese occupation forces on the nearby islands of Attu, Agattu, and Kiska. In 1954, the site was deactivated, and was turned over to the Civil Aeronautics Authority in 1955. In 1958, the Air Force returned to Shemya Island to support various Air Force and Army strategic intelligence gathering activities. It has remained active in this capacity to the present. In 1995, the station was downsized and reverted to caretaker status and a private operation and maintenance contractor took control of the facility under contract to the Air Force. Longitude is east of Greenwich. RCRA EPA ID#s AK9570028705 Hazardous waste activity: generator 2, storer and burns hazardous waste fuel in burner. AK7570000151 Cleanup. Hazardous waste activity: generator 1 and transporter. Also Huffman Construction Co. of Alaska RCRA EPA ID#AKD982654238 Hazardous Waste Activity: generator 2 at Shemya Air Force Base. Point of contact: Larry Opperman, Project Manager, 611th CES/CEV 10471 20th Street Suite 338, Elmendorf AFB, AK 99506-2270. Telephone (907) 552-7893. Last ADEC staff assigned is G. Pikul.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
1/1/1964 Update or Other Action Alaskan Air Command Master Plan base map with update notes of January 1, 1966 and January 1, 1970, and hand-drawn edits reportedly from 1971. Former Staff
1/1/1969 Update or Other Action Corps of Engineers Boring Logs, Shemya AFB, Alaska, AP 526 - AP884, January 1969 - December 82. Former Staff
1/1/1976 Update or Other Action Corps of Engineers Boring Logs, Shemya AFB, Alaska, DH 885 - DH 1105, January 1976 - May 85. Former Staff
11/1/1982 Update or Other Action Recoverable, Reclaimable and Waste Petroleum Product Management Plan 19-14. Former Staff
6/15/1984 Update or Other Action (Undated) Shemya ACE Projects, 1984 to date. Internal Report. Prepared by 5099th CEOS. Former Staff
9/1/1984 Preliminary Assessment Approved Installation Restoration Program, Phase I Records Search, 5073rd Air Base Group, Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska (dated September 1984) prepared by JRB Associates. Former Staff
2/15/1985 Update or Other Action Management Action Plan, Eareckson Air Station, Alaska (formerly Shemya AFB, Alaska), prepared by Jacobs Engineering Group. Former Staff
5/1/1985 Update or Other Action Corps of Engineers Boring Logs, Shemya AFB, Alaska, AP 1105 - AP 1463, May 1985 - November 1987. Former Staff
11/22/1985 Update or Other Action CH2M Hill trip report dated 1985. Former Staff
12/30/1985 Interim Removal Action Approved (Undated) Alaska Cleanup Effort, Shemya History 1975 - 1985. Internal Report. Prepared by 5099th CEOS. Former Staff
6/1/1986 Update or Other Action Phase II - Task I Presurvey Report, Shemya Air Force Base and King Salmon Air Force Station. Former Staff
12/2/1986 Notice of Violation Notice of Violation letter submitted to Air Force by EPA (Charles Findley, Director of Hazardous Waste Division). A shipment of "salvage materials" violated hazardous waste laws and regulations promulgated under RCRA. Former Staff
9/25/1987 Update or Other Action Shemya Field Trip Notes, September 15-19, 1987. Prepared by CH2M Hill. Former Staff
7/29/1988 Update or Other Action Installation Restoration Program, Stage I Workplan, Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska. Prepared by CH2M Hill. Former Staff
8/15/1988 Update or Other Action Environmental Sampling Data Sheet. Former Staff
8/29/1988 Update or Other Action Comprehensive Plan, Shemya Air Force Base. Prepared by TRA/FARR and Dowl Engineers. Former Staff
9/2/1988 Update or Other Action Pollution Incident Report. Former Staff
9/9/1988 Update or Other Action Installation Restoration Program, Stage I Quality Assurance Project Plan, Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska. Former Staff
9/19/1988 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). CH2M Hill submits the Final Draft Technical report dated 2/28/90 for the Stage I IRP. The report presents the findings of CH2M Hill's site visit and sampling efforts during September and October 1988. 22 individual sites were investigated. Some of the findings include TPH up to 200,000 ppm in soil and 110 ppm in groundwater, PCBs detected in many soil samples and chlorinated compounds detected at several locations. Former Staff
10/1/1988 Update or Other Action Evaluation of Lake at Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska. Technical memorandum prepared by Robert Binovi summarizing an evaluation of water samples collected from lakes at Shemya Island. Former Staff
10/1/1988 Update or Other Action Corps of Engineers Boring Logs, Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska, AP1464 - AP1765, October 1988 - April 1991. Former Staff
10/5/1988 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). CH2M Hill submits final work plans, QA plans and health and safety plans for Stage I IRP Former Staff
10/17/1988 Update or Other Action Trip Report, Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska. Memorandum by Clare Jaeger (COE) summarizing the contamination discovered during soil and water sampling on October 6, 1988. Former Staff
2/8/1989 Update or Other Action Water System, Phase 1B, Surface Water Quality of Several Lakes, Shemya AFB, Alaska Technical memorandum prepared by Thomas Delwyn summarizing a surface water quality investigation conducted at Shemya in October 1988. Former Staff
6/15/1989 Update or Other Action 1988 U.S. Army COE discovery of additional POL Contamination. Former Staff
7/6/1989 Update or Other Action POL Contamination Investigations at Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska, 25 April through 3 June 1989. Memorandum by Thomas Delwyn (COE). Former Staff
7/20/1989 Update or Other Action ADAL Aircraft Equipment Shop, POL Contamination Investigations at Shemya AFB, AK. Former Staff
8/28/1989 Update or Other Action Communication Facility, POL Contamination Investigations at Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska. Memorandum by Thomas Delwyn (COE) summarizing an investigation conducted in May 1989 to obtain data on the extent of POL contamination at the site of the new communication facility and to obtain design information for Worker Safety and Dewatering during construction. Former Staff
9/15/1989 Update or Other Action Preliminary Assessment / Site Investigation report completed. Former Staff
10/5/1989 Update or Other Action Notice of Noncompliance letter to Air Force Shemya Contractors by EPA (Gil Haselberger, Chief of Toxic Substances Section) regarding a June 1989 inspection and violations with TSCA. Former Staff
2/28/1990 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). CH2M Hill Submits draft work plans dated 2/28/90 for IRP Stage 2. Stage 2 is intended to be a more concentrated sampling episode based on the results of the Stage I Technical Report. Former Staff
6/12/1990 Update or Other Action Federal Facility Compliance Agreement between the Air Force (signed by Charles Crabb, Jr., 5073d ABG/CC) and EPA (signed by Charles Findley, Director of Hazardous Waste Division) on March 15, 1991 regarding noncompliance with RCRA. RCRA Docket Number 1090-04-02-3008. Former Staff
6/13/1990 Update or Other Action Notice of Noncompliance letter to 5073 ABG/CC Air Force by EPA (Charles Findley, Director of Hazardous Waste Division) regarding RCRA violations; RCRA Docket Number 1090-04-02-3008. The attachment included a Federal Facilities Compliance Agreement with a Notice of Noncompliance, a Compliance Schedule, and a Notice of Necessity for Conference. The Air Force response letter (signed by Colonel Charles Crabb, Jr., Commander) is dated April 1991, and includes attachments. Former Staff
9/14/1990 Update or Other Action Installation Restoration Program, Stage 2 Final Workplan, Shemya Air Force Base. Prepared by CH2M Hill. Former Staff
10/26/1990 Update or Other Action Memorandum from Environmental Contaminants Coordinator, USFSW, to Supervisor, Fisheries Management Services regarding fish from Shemya Lakes. Former Staff
11/1/1990 Update or Other Action Volume III, Concept Approved Draft of the Coastal Management Plan. Former Staff
6/25/1991 Update or Other Action Site Summaries for Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska Installation Restoration Program. Dan Hartung
7/26/1991 Update or Other Action Notice of Violation / Request for Corrective Action letter to 5099th CEOS Air Force (Captain Kenneth Brown, Chief of Environmental Contract and Planning Section) from ADEC (Ron Klein, Manager of Regional Contaminated Sites) regarding numerous sites and the status of site assessments and remedial actions. The Air Force response letter is dated August 29, 1991. ADEC letter dated September 23, 1991 serves as a formal notification that the terms of the NOV were satisfied. Dan Hartung
8/27/1991 Update or Other Action Shemya Soils and Groundwater Database. Dan Hartung
10/4/1991 Update or Other Action Installation Restoration Program (IRP) Field Investigation Plan, Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska (2 volumes). Dan Hartung
6/23/1992 Update or Other Action EPA has reviewed a preliminary assessment submitted. Ray Burger
6/23/1992 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). EPA has reviewed the Field Investigation Plan submitted for Shemya Air Force Base. Ray Burger
1/1/1993 Update or Other Action Trip Report: Winter Wildlife and Oil Contamination Surveys, Shemya I., Alaska, 4-8 January 1993. Ray Burger
1/13/1993 Update or Other Action Chemical Data Report, Shemya Seawall/Erosion Protection, Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska. Memorandum prepared by Thomas Delwyn documenting a sampling effort to investigate potential soil contamination in areas to be excavated at Eareckson AS. Ray Burger
3/29/1993 Update or Other Action Chemical Data Report, Hazardous Waste Management Facility and Hazardous Material Storage Facility, Shemya AFB, AK. Ray Burger
5/12/1993 Update or Other Action No Further Action Decision Document for PS-1A, New Cobra Dane, Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska. Not signed by ADEC. Ray Burger
5/20/1993 Update or Other Action Status of Shemya Air Force Base in Relation to Proposal for the National Priorities List. Ray Burger
6/1/1993 Update or Other Action Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska General Stockpiling Plan for Contaminated Soil. Ray Burger
12/1/1993 Update or Other Action Eareckson Air Force Station (formerly Shemya AFB, Alaska) 1993 Installation Restoration Program Basewide and Limited Source Investigation Workplan. Prepared by Jacobs Engineering Group. Ray Burger
2/1/1994 Update or Other Action Shemya Air Force Base, Alaska 1992 Installation Restoration Program Field Investigation Report, prepared by CH2M Hill; report finalized in February 1993. Ray Burger
3/1/1994 Update or Other Action Reassessment Report, Cobra Dane Askarel Tank Pit and Piping Trench, Eareckson AS Shemya Island, Alaska. Ray Burger
7/25/1994 Update or Other Action ADEC letter from Kent Patrick-Riley (UST Program) to Michael Stanka (611 Air Force) regarding Closure of Cobra Dane Askarel Tank Pit and Piping Trench UST Site Assessment (dated March 1994). Ray Burger
9/30/1994 Notice of Violation Notice of Violation letter to 673rd ABG Air Force (Colonel Johnny Jarnigan, Commanding Officer) from ADEC (Janice Adair, Regional Administrator) regarding the April 1994 RCRA Compliance Evaluation Inspection. Ray Burger
1/1/1995 Update or Other Action Natural Resource Plan, Eareckson AS, Shemya Island, Alaska, draft. Ray Burger
1/31/1995 Update or Other Action Memorandum from 611 CES/CEOR to 611 CES/CEVR regarding Asphaltic Tar Soil Samples, Eareckson AS, Alaska. Ray Burger
2/1/1995 Update or Other Action Community Relations Photo Notebook; Remedial Investigations, Feasibility Studies and Remedial Actions. Ray Burger
4/15/1995 Update or Other Action Revised 1994 Well Abandonment Summary Report. Prepared by Jacobs Engineering Group. Ray Burger
8/1/1995 Update or Other Action Eareckson AS, Shemya Island, Alaska Fact Sheet Numbe 2 "Public Involvement in the Decision Making Process". Ray Burger
8/15/1995 Site Characterization Report Approved Final Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study Report, Volume I and II, Eareckson Air Station, Alaska (Formerly Shemya Air Force Base Alaska). Ray Burger
10/23/1995 Update or Other Action Notice of Violation letter to USAF (Colonel Samuel Johnson III) from ADEC (Michael Conway, Industrial Operations Section Chief) regarding the June 1995 hazardous waste inspection. Ray Burger
12/1/1995 Update or Other Action Management Action Plan, Eareckson Air Station, Alaska (formerly Shemya AFB, Alaska). Ray Burger
1/17/1996 Record of Decision No Further Action status Decision Document signed by Air Force and ADEC on 12-95 and 1-96, respectively. Ray Burger
1/17/1996 Site Closure Approved No Further Action status Decision Document signed by Air Force and ADEC on 12-95 and 1-96, respectively. Ray Burger
2/20/1996 Update or Other Action Memorandum for the record: Possible Mercury Site at Eareckson AS. Ray Burger
10/21/1999 Site Added to Database Transformer oil. Gretchen Pikul
3/21/2007 GIS Position Updated More accurate latitude/longitude provided by project manager Jeff Norberg. Mitzi Read

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
For more information about this site, contact DEC at (907) 465-5390.

Control Type

Type Details
No ICs Required

Requirements

Description Details
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.

There are no documents for this site report.

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

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State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

P.O. Box 111800
Juneau, AK 99811-1800
Phone: 907-465-5066
Fax: 907-465-5245
TDD: 800-770-8973
Physical Location: 410 Willoughby