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Site Report: Eareckson Air Station LF018

Site Name: Eareckson Air Station LF018
Address: North Beach Landfill, North Beach Road aka SW-4, Amchitka, AK 99546
File Number: 2649.38.001, 2649.38.018
Hazard ID: 66
Status: Cleanup Complete - Institutional Controls
Staff: Erica Blake, 9074512182 erica.blake@alaska.gov
Latitude: 52.735625
Longitude: 174.099392
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

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. ERP Site LF018 covers an area of about 15 acres, bordered on the south by 230-foot high, grass-covered slopes, and on the north by North Beach Road and the Bering Sea. This area was formerly used for the disposal of scrap metal, wood debris, and thousands of empty drums. The drums likely contained liquids that were shipped to the island, including but not limited to cooking oils, petroleum, oils, lubricants, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), solvents, and glycol. A portion/majority of the drums were removed in the early 1980s. A geophysical survey conducted at LF018 in 1992 indicated the presence of large areas of buried metal debris (drums) remaining at the site. The landfill area is currently covered by peat and vegetation. 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.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC 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
12/1/1992 Update or Other Action Site Investigation Report, Shemya AFB, Alaska. Prepared by Woodward-Clyde Consultants. Ray Burger
1/15/1996 Site Characterization Report Approved Final Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study Report, Volume III, Eareckson Air Station, Alaska (Formerly Shemya Air Force Base Alaska). Ray Burger
3/15/1996 Update or Other Action Final Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study Report, Volume IV, Eareckson Air Station, Alaska (Formerly Shemya Air Force Base Alaska). Ray Burger
7/3/2001 Update or Other Action Technical Memorandum - Risk Assessment Assumptions for Decision Documents (draft final dated January 8, 2001, ADEC comment letter dated March 19, 2001, comment resolution meeting on May 18, 2001, final received June 11, 2001, ADEC e-mail comments after reviewing final document dated July 3, 2001). Gretchen Pikul
12/10/2001 Update or Other Action Decision Document Report Volumes III and IV (draft dated March 1996; draft final dated April 1997 and received May 1997; ADEC comment letter dated October 1, 1997 with extensive comments; related meetings in 1998 on October 30, November 23, November 24 and December 30; related meetings in 1999 on January 20 and 26, February 2 and 25, June 22-25 during site visit, August 24 during FY00 project scoping meeting, and October 1; received Review Draft Decision Documents on November 30, 1999 ADEC comment letters in February 2000; related meetings in 2000 on January 4; related meetings in 2001 on January 4 and 16; ADEC comment letter on Draft Final Technical Memorandum - Risk Assessment Assumptions for Decision Documents (dated March 19) with comment resolution meeting on May 18, final memorandum dated June 2001; draft Proposed Plan for 6 sites received August 24, ADEC comment letter dated September 19, 'response to comments' received December 10, 2001). Gretchen Pikul
5/2/2002 Proposed Plan Proposed Plan for Remedial Action - 6 sites (North Beach Landfill - LF18, Barrel Bay and Scrap Metal Disposal Area - LF24/LF26, Scrap Metal Landfill - LF28, Water Gallery - OT48, Base Operations Spill - SS14, and Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) at Building 110 - ST39) - draft received on August 24, 2001; ADEC comment letter dated September 19, 2001; 'response to comments' received on November 13, 2001, additional ADEC questions/comments sent on December 10, 2001; comment resolution meeting on January 29, 2002; received draft final dated April 2002 on March 14, 2002; final plan dated March 2002 and received on April 1, 2002; public comment period from May 1 - May 31, 2002 and public meeting on May 2, 2002. Gretchen Pikul
1/25/2005 Update or Other Action 2004 Supplemental Field Investigations at Sites LF18, FT01, FT02, and FT03 (sampling to address data gaps prior to ROD for referenced sites); draft report dated October 2004 received November 1, 2004; ADEC issued comment letter dated December 10, 2004; comment resolution meeting held on December 20; based on findings additional groundwater sample collected from MW-01 at Site LF18 for DRO/PAH in January 2005; final report received January 20, 2005; ADEC issued approval letter on January 25, 2005. Jeff Norberg
7/18/2005 Update or Other Action 2005 LF18 Sampling Technical Memorandum; dated July 2005 received July 18; ADEC approval letter issued July 18, 2005. Jeff Norberg
7/16/2010 CERCLA ROD Approved ADEC and the USAF signed a Record of Decision agreeing on the selected remedy for the landfill sites will be Institutional Controls to eliminate the direct contact exposure route and protect the public from exposure to the contents of the landfills. The Record of Decision dealt with sites LF018, LF024 and LFo26. Additional surface soil samples will be collected at the sites to coonfirm that historical metals concentrations were an analtyical error and that the selected remedy is protective. If the results of that sampling shows that there is a health risk associated with any of the sites, the decision reached in this document will be revisited and re-evaluated. Jonathan Schick
10/27/2011 Site Characterization Report Approved Contaminated Sites Staff submitted a letter to the Air Force Project manager stating that all of the agreed upon changes were made to the 2011 Summary Report for Long Term Monitoring and Maintenance Activities at Eareckson Air Station for sites FT002, SS007, OT048, LF018, LF024, and LF026. The Final Report is approved. The results of the surface soil samples at LF018 indicated that thallium concentrations were not detected above the established cleanup levels. Jonathan Schick
12/1/2012 Update or Other Action The USAF submitted the 2012 Land Use Control Management Plan, which included land use controls for LF018 at Eareckson Air Station. Jessica Morris
1/9/2014 CERCLA ROD Periodic Review The ADEC Contaminated Site Program approved the Final Eareckson Five Year Review Report. The report included review of LF018 (North Beach Landfill). Jessica Morris
8/13/2014 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued The ADEC Contaminated Sites Program sent a letter to the USAF indicating that a cleanup complete with institutional controls determination was made for LF018. Metal contamination in soil and surface water, and metal and DRO contamination in groundwater are remaining on site above the applicable cleanup levels. The 2010 ROD called for additional sampling and analysis to verify whether inorganics (specifically thallium) in soil posed an unacceptable risk. Subsequent sampling and analysis have verified that inorganics in surface soil do not pose an unacceptable risk. Appropriate LUCs have been established in accordance with the ROD. Landfill cap inspections have documented some solid waste exposed at the surface, which should be removed and disposed of properly but which does not pose a risk as defined in CERCLA. Jessica Morris
8/13/2014 Institutional Control Record Established Institutional Controls established and entered into the database. The ICs include the following 1) The Eareckson AS Base General Base will contain a map indicating restrictions for groundwater use and excavation of soil. Dig permits are issued by the Base Operating Contractor prior to any excavation or well installation at the Base. 2) A deed notice or other instrument will be used to document that the site was a landfill in accordance with landfill post-closure requirements. 3)The USAF will obtain prior concurrence from ADEC to terminate the ICs, modify land use, or allow other actions that might disrupt the protectiveness of the ICs. 4) The ICs will remain in effect until the petroleum hydrocarbons, VOCs, and SVOCs in soil are found to be less that the applicable cleanup levels. Jessica Morris
8/27/2014 Long Term Monitoring Established The ADEC Contaminated Sites Program approved the Final Work Plan for Environmental Long Term Monitoring and Site Inspections ((FT001, FT002, FT003, OT048, SS007, LF015, LF018, LF024, LF026, SS010, SS023, ST035, SS025, ST009, ST044, ST046, ST050, ST051) and Limited Site Characterization (Building 3055 Area) at Eareckson Air Station, Alaska. This scope of work is not sufficient to meet the long term monitoring objectives outlined in the most recently established RODs. The USAF will hold a scoping meeting with ADEC to plan additional well installation to meet these long term monitoring requirements. Jessica Morris
5/20/2015 Institutional Control Compliance Review The ADEC Contaminated Sites Program approved the Final Report for Environmental Long Term Monitoring and Site Inspections ((FT001, FT002, FT003, OT048, SS007, LF015, LF018, LF024, LF026, SS010, SS023, ST035, SS025, ST009, ST044, ST046, ST050, ST051) at Eareckson Air Station, Alaska. Jessica Morris
7/9/2015 Institutional Control Update ADEC approved the July 2015 U.S. Air Force Land Use Control Management Plan, Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center Installations. The plan includes land use controls for LF018 at Eareckson Air Station. Jessica Morris
10/22/2015 Update or Other Action The ADEC Contaminated Sites Program reviewed and commented on a draft scope of work for investigation, remedial process optimization, and long term management studies at several sites for Eareckson Air Station. Jessica Morris
11/14/2016 Site Visit ADEC staff travelled to Eareckson Air Station for 4 days to conduct site visits and become familiar with the ecology and topography of the island. Site visits were conducted to all pertinent sites and meetings were held to with ADEC and USAF to discuss a path forward for the sites. Jessica Morris
3/31/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other The ADEC Contaminated Sites Program approved the Final UFP-QAPP Site Investigation for Perfluorinated Compounds and Long Term Management Studies, Eareckson Air Station. The work plan was approved with the condition that the monitoring program proposed was not sufficient to meet the requirements in the RODs. ADEC requires a work plan for remedy implementation to establish an adequate monitoring program. Jessica Morris
11/27/2017 Site Visit ADEC staff travelled to Eareckson Air Station for 3 days to conduct site visits and institutional control inspections. Site visits were conducted to all pertinent sites and meetings were held to with ADEC and USAF to discuss a path forward for the sites. Jessica Morris
5/2/2018 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other The ADEC Contaminated Sites Program submitted comments on the Draft Remedial Process Optimization Report for Eareckson Air Station. The purpose of the report was to present an evaluation of the effectiveness of the current selected site remedies and make recommendations for optimization of an island-wide monitoring and management program for contaminated sites at Eareckson. ADEC had numerous comments on the document, and requested a project team meeting to further discuss a more effective and efficient program at Eareckson. Jessica Morris
1/8/2019 Institutional Control Compliance Review The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) Contaminated Sites Program received a copy of the Final Long Term Monitoring and Institutional Controls Inspection Report for Eareckson Air Station. The report is accepted as final documentation of the field activities. The report is approved with the conditions noted in the ADEC’s comments 1/8/19 letter. The field efforts completed are not considered sufficient to meet the overall long term monitoring requirements outlined in the site records of decision and regulations for closure end point criteria. ADEC is working with the USAF to develop a more efficient island-wide long term monitoring strategy for Eareckson Air Station. Jessica Morris
7/5/2019 CERCLA ROD Periodic Review DEC provided comments to the U.S. Air Force on the "Five-Year Review Report and Period Review for Eareckson Air Station, Shemya Island, Alaska, Draft” dated November 2018 on July 5, 2019. Melinda Brunner
10/9/2019 Update or Other Action Approved 2019 Remedial Action Operations, land Use/Institutional Control Supplemental Work Plan. William Schmaltz
6/25/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other The purpose of this project is to continue environmental long-term management at multiple sites at Eareckson AS, Alaska. The objectives of this project were to conduct groundwater sampling at eight sites, surface water sampling at four sites, sediment sampling at three sites, conduct IC inspections at 19 sites, and conduct an assessment of necessary repairs at LF026. The assessment of LF026 is documented in a separate technical memorandum; this LTM report presents the findings of the IC inspections and the results of groundwater, surface water, and sediment sampling. Darren Mulkey
6/25/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other "Draft Technical Project Report, 2019 Environmental Long Term Management Activities, Eaceckson Air Station, Sites FT001, FT002, FT003, OT048, SS007, SS010, SS023, SS025, ST009, ST035, ST039, ST044, ST046, ST050, ST051, LF015, LF018, LF024, and LF026, May 2020". The purpose of this project is to continue environmental long-term management at multiple sites at Eareckson AS, Alaska. The objectives of this project were to conduct groundwater sampling at eight sites, surface water sampling at four sites, sediment sampling at three sites, conduct IC inspections at 19 sites, and conduct an assessment of necessary repairs at LF026. The assessment of LF026 is documented in a separate technical memorandum; this LTM report presents the findings of the IC inspections and the results of groundwater, surface water, and sediment sampling. Darren Mulkey
4/27/2022 Update or Other Action On 4/27/2022 ADEC approved the Eareckson Air Station, Alaska, REMEDIAL PROCESS OPTIMIZATION REPORT dated April 2022. This Remedial Process Optimization (RPO) Report presents an evaluation of the effectiveness of current selected site remedies and makes recommendations for optimization of the IWM Program, as appropriate to establish a more integrated groundwater monitoring program at Eareckson AS. RPO is a systematic approach for evaluating and improving the effectiveness of site remediation without increasing site risk. This RPO Report presents a site-by-site evaluation of effectiveness of the sites selected remedy and provides recommendations to: • Streamline groundwater monitoring. • Develop a holistic approach to site management. • Maintain the remedial action objectives (RAOs) set forth in established Record of Decisions (RODs) and Decision Documents (DDs). Daniela Fawcett
6/27/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC provided comments for the Draft Final 2021 Long Term Management, Land Use and Institutional Controls Report Eareckson Air Station, Shemya, Alaska Sites CS566, DA002/DA002A, DA003, FT001, FT002, FT003, LF015, LF018, LF024, LF026, ML001, MU001, OD001, OT048, OT617, PL560, PL575, SS005, SS007, SS010, SS012, SS023, SS025, ST009, ST035, ST039, ST044, ST046, ST050, ST051, TA555, TA556, TA616, TU553, TU554, TU558, TU559, TU567, TU568, XU912, ZZ001, dated June 2023.The report describes the institutional control inspections and sampling efforts conducted during November 15 through November 30th, 2021. Forty-two different sites were investigated at the Eareckson Air Station located on Shemya Island, Alaska. Groundwater was sampled at nine sites, surface water was sampled at five sites, and sediment sampling was conducted at two sites. Contaminants above cleanup levels remain present at most sites with stable or non-discernable trends. Most land use controls appear to be in good condition and Monitoring and continued inspections were recommended for all sites. Ginna Quesada
7/3/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC submitted responses to comments for the Draft Final 2021 Long Term Management, Land Use and Institutional Controls Report Eareckson Air Station, Shemya, Alaska Sites CS566, DA002/DA002A, DA003, FT001, FT002, FT003, LF015, LF018, LF024, LF026, ML001, MU001, OD001, OT048, OT617, PL560, PL575, SS005, SS007, SS010, SS012, SS023, SS025, ST009, ST035, ST039, ST044, ST046, ST050, ST051, TA555, TA556, TA616, TU553, TU554, TU558, TU559, TU567, TU568, XU912, ZZ001, dated June 2023. Ginna Quesada
8/3/2023 Long Term Monitoring Workplan or Report Review DEC approved the "Final 2021 Long Term Management, Land Use and Institutional Controls Report Eareckson Air Station, Shemya, Alaska Sites CS566, DA002/DA002A, DA003, FT001, FT002, FT003, LF015, LF018, LF024, LF026, ML001, MU001, OD001, OT048, OT617, PL560, PL575, SS005, SS007, SS010, SS012, SS023, SS025, ST009, ST035, ST039, ST044, ST046, ST050, ST051, TA555, TA556, TA616, TU553, TU554, TU558, TU559, TU567, TU568, XU912, ZZ001, dated July 2023." The report recommends continuing with land-use control site inspections and monitoring the groundwater until all remedial objectives are met. Erica Blake

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
DRO Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil
Lead - Total Between Method 2 Migration to Groundwater and Human Health/Ingestion/Inhalation Soil

Control Type

Type Details
Signed CS Determination

Requirements

Description Details
Excavation / Soil Movement Restrictions
Periodic Review
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

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