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Site Report: Bethel Airport (former)

Site Name: Bethel Airport (former)
Address: Kuskokwim River, SE of Bethel - Across the River, Bethel, AK 99559
File Number: 2407.38.006
Hazard ID: 69
Status: Active
Staff: Tim Sharp, 9074512131 tim.sharp@alaska.gov
Latitude: 60.746016
Longitude: -161.702045
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

The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) began building the former Bethel Airport in the early 1940s on the east side of the Kuskokwim River, across the river from Bethel. In 1942, the US Army took over construction during World War II as part of the national defense effort. A runway, housing areas, hospital, power plant and other supporting facilities were built. Several thousand drums of asphalt were sent to the site to repave the runway, however, the project was never completed and the drums were left along the river bank. In 1947 the Army turned the facility back over to the CAA, which then operated and maintained the airport. In 1951, 1,853 acres of land was acquired by the Air Force, under a use permit from the CAA, for development and operation of an Aircraft Control and Warning (AC&W) site, a radio relay site, and a air transportation operations site. Some WWII facilities were renovated and used and other new facilities were constructed. In the mid- to late 1950's the Air Force moved the AC&W and radio relay operations to a new location west of Bethel and turned the former Bethel Airport back to FAA (successor to CAA). Subsequent land transfers have occurred under ANCSA. A portion of the former airport is owned by the Bethel Native Corporation. Several native allotments exist in the area. In 1994, drums of asphalt were reported to be eroding into the Kuskokwim River. The Army Corps of Engineers conducted removal actions in 1994-95, which included removing over 5,000 drums of asphalt from the river bank and disposing of the material off-site. Additional site investigation is warranted. 2023 Update: FUDS completed a Remedial Investigation in 2019, along with risk assessments that identified no unacceptable human health risk or ecological risk at the site. Any exceedances of CERCLA contaminants were due to lab quality issues and were biased or estimated. As such, FUDS has determined no further action is necessary at the site. FUDS # F10AK0514 The FAA currently manages the remaining AOCs.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
2/15/1989 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). ADEC Hazardous waste generation and shipment report to record generation of hazardous waste in 1988. No information regarding type of hazardous waste. Former Staff
1/7/1991 Site Number Identifier Changed Old Reckey 1981210912710. Changed to reflect correct region. Former Staff
5/7/1991 Site Added to Database Asphalt drums. Former Staff
8/9/1991 Site Number Identifier Changed Changed region from 22 to 25 to reflect Western district now. Former Staff
6/6/1994 Update or Other Action Bethel field office received a citizen complaint that drums of asphalt and asphalt are eroding into the Kuskokwim River. John Halverson
10/11/1994 Update or Other Action ADEC provided comments to the Corps on a draft workplan for removing the drums and cleaning up the asphalt. Contractor was mobilizing to the field as the plans were evolving. No formal ADEC approval on the workplan. Cleanup conducted during the winter. Recovered drums and asphalt staged on the old airfield. John Halverson
6/9/1995 Update or Other Action Corps notified ADEC that the airfield flooded during spring breakup, numerous boxes containing drums, asphalt and contaminated soil were damaged; contractor is working on containment; no report of materials being washed away. John Halverson
6/15/1995 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. Action code added because it wasn't when site was originally ranked. John Halverson
10/10/1995 Update or Other Action Corps notified ADEC that it has inspected the site and is compiling a Remedial Investigation in-house and that it does not think significant areas of concern exist. Corps stated that ~165 drums containing petroleum products are present behind the old Crowley site. The drums are dated 1951, thus Corps thinks they are from the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) and the FAA should be responsible for them. Also, found a couple old landfills at the site. John Halverson
4/18/1996 Update or Other Action ADEC received the Remedial Action Report, Bethel Airport Drum Removal, prepared by Nugget Construction and dated March 21, 1996. John Halverson
6/11/1996 Update or Other Action ADEC sent a letter to the Corps requesting additional information that was lacking in the remedial action report, including: figures that were missing from the report; clarification on the extent of asphalt and drums that were left at the site and possibly down-river; certificates of disposal for waste shipped off-site; details on site restoration and efforts to minimize future erosion. John Halverson
1/10/1997 Update or Other Action Corps of Engineers finalized an Environmental Assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) under NEPA. The EA addressed a proposed removal action to address physical safety hazards at the site (fill in mechanics pits and hand dug wells, remove barbed wire, flatten the top of an underground tank that had split open. It called for addressing the remainder of the site and possible contaminants at a later date. John Halverson
11/9/1999 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Re-ranked site by filling in many entries that were listed as unknown previously. Ranked as "Medium" Priority. John Halverson
12/30/2002 Update or Other Action Staff reviewed a Site Assessment done under NALEMP dated February 11, 1998 for a site inspection June 1997. Drum, metal debris, underground structures and an asphalt plant remain on site. Debra Caillouet
9/20/2006 Record of Decision DEC signed a decision document concurring that the Corps has completed the Containerized Waste/Hazardous Toxic or Radiological Waste (CON/HTRW) project. The Corps removed all known DOD related drums during the mid 1990's. An HTRW project remains open and further evaluation into whether any FUDS Program eligible contaminants remain at the site and warrant further cleanup. John Halverson
6/10/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed. Evonne Reese
11/21/2014 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter DEC sent a PRP letter to FAA notifying it of liability for abandoned drums containing asphalt and possibly other wastes at the site and requesting it conduct a removal action to collect and contain the drums and remove them from the site for proper recycling or disposal. A written response was requested by January 9, 2015. John Halverson
12/3/2014 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Comment was sent on the Draft Work Plan, Remedial Investigation and CON/HTRW Limited Removal at the Bethel Airport, Bethel Staging Field, and Bethel BIA Headquarters, November 2014 Debra Caillouet
4/1/2015 CERCLA RI Plan Approved DEC Approved the Final Work Plan, Remedial Investigation and Limited Removal at the Bethel Airport and Bethel BIA Headquarters, Bethel, Alaska. Debra Caillouet
2/11/2016 CERCLA RI Plan Approved DEC approved the Final Work Plan Addendum, Remedial Investigation and Limited Removal at the Bethel Airport and Bethel BIA Headquarters, Bethel, Alaska. The workplan addendum details the work that is to be conducted in the winter of 2016 that was not completed during the original site work performed during June-July of 2015 due to site conditions at the Bethel Airport FUDS location. The completion of these objectives at the Bethel Airport FUDS will include Performing ultraviolet optical screening tool (UVOST) field screening, collection of surface and subsurface soil samples, installation of monitoring wells, collection of groundwater samples, and completion of a survey detailing the well locations, well elevations, and control points. Five distinct features within the former Infantry Area of the Bethel Airport FUDS will be investigated under the Work Plan Addendum. The features include the former Power House, the underground storage tank (UST) associated with the former Power House, the former Auto Repair Shop, the former Motor Repair Shop, and an additional aboveground storage tank (AST). Field activities are proposed to begin in February of 2016 and be completed in March of 2016. Groundwater sampling is anticipated to occur in June of 2016. Monte Garroutte
12/1/2016 Meeting or Teleconference Held CS managers participate in the annual FUDS site management action plan meeting. The purpose of the is to collaborate with FUDS management on site progress and prioritization for all of the formerly used defense sites. FUDS prioritization is based on risk, congressional interest, state input and proximity to other sites on the prioritization list. FUDS has increased environmental restoration funding in Alaska for the 2017 and 2018 field seasons to meet National goals for site progress. Darren Mulkey
4/11/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC completed a review of the Draft RI report for the Bethel Airport sites. Monte Garroutte
5/25/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC Approval - Remedial Investigation and Limited Removal Report for the Bethel Airport and Bethel BIA Headquarters, FUDS. Investigation results suggest the extent of contamination at the Bethel Airport FUDS is limited to one exceedance of DRO, and six locations where either PAHs (naphthalene) or VOCs (vinyl chloride, 1,2-Dichloroethane). These exceedances occurred in the Auto Repair Shop and Motor Repair Shop Areas, though one location of potential POL contamination (unconfirmed) was indicated by UVOST screening in the UST at Power House Area. Depth of contamination is limited to 2.5 ft bgs for DRO and 8.5 ft bgs in two locations for VOCs. Further delineation work remains for several sites. See 2407.38.007 for details on FUDS Bethel BIA HQ. Gretchen Caudill
12/21/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC Approval - FAA Final Work Plan Former Bethel Airport Infrastructure Removal & Release Investigation. This work plan details the removal activities of FAA infrastructures, release investigation, and remedial action to be conducted at the FAA infrastructure in the city of Bethel and the Former Bethel Airport. The primary objective of the scope of work during the first mobilization will be to remove the 164 drums from the former Bethel Airport. The second mobilization will include infrastructure removals and RI/RA actions. Gretchen Caudill
3/1/2019 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC Approval – Former Bethel Airport Infrastructure Removal and Release Investigation. Areas of concern include: LMM, FAA Complex Housing Well House, and FAA Housing Laydown Yard. As no contamination in exceedance of cleanup levels (no likely contaminant releases in the case of the FAA Housing Laydown Yard) was documented at these areas, DEC concurs with the recommendation of no further action for these locations. Areas of concern at the Former Bethel Airport include: Control Towers, Radio Range, Utility Building, and Engine Generator Building, Asphalt Batch Plant, and Crowley Marine Building Drums areas. DEC concurs with the recommendations to preform remedial actions at all of these areas of concern, excluding the Utility Building due to exceedances of lead, GRO, DRO, RRO, VOCs, and PAHs. Gretchen Caudill
8/8/2019 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
12/17/2019 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80526 name: Unknown partially filled drum. New source area added to the database (partially filled drum, 80526). A partially filled drum was encountered during the 2019 ONC NALEMP Debris Removal project. It was removed and placed in overpack for characterization. Source area will be reevaluated once waste characterization sampling of the drum has been completed Kevin Fraley
12/21/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80703 name: Asphalt Batch Plant Tim Sharp
12/21/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80704 name: Engine Generator Bldg 2 Tim Sharp
12/22/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80705 name: Radio Range Site 1 Tim Sharp
12/22/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80706 name: Radio Range Site 2 Tim Sharp
12/22/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80707 name: Radio Range Site 3 Tim Sharp
12/22/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80708 name: Radio Range Site 4 Tim Sharp
12/22/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80709 name: Radio Range Site 6 Tim Sharp
12/22/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80710 name: Communication Transmitter Site 1 Tim Sharp
12/22/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80711 name: Communication Transmitter Site 3 Tim Sharp
12/22/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80712 name: Crowley Marine Building Drum Site Tim Sharp
12/22/2020 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80713 name: Engine Generator Bldg 1 Tim Sharp
1/5/2021 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80714 name: Auto Repair Shop Tim Sharp
1/5/2021 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 80715 name: Motor Repair Shop Tim Sharp
1/28/2021 Update or Other Action DEC issued a Non-Concurrence letter for the FUDS Final Remedial Investigation Addendum received in April 2020. DEC does not agree with USACE's conclusion that groundwater is not considered a potentially impacted medium. 1,2-DCA, VC, and naphthalene exceedances above MTG CULs were found in soil and not delineated. No clean gw samples were collected downgradient of soil samples. In addition, the LOD for VC was higher than Table C CUL. Despite this, USACE is planning on moving forward with a No Further Action preferred alternative at this time. Tim Sharp
2/4/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the RTCs for the FAA Bethel RI and Removal Work Plan. Final Work Plan to come. Tim Sharp
4/20/2021 Update or Other Action GPS coordinates changed from being located at the Crowley Marine Building Drum Site source area (lat: 60.777398 long: -161.72327) to the FUDS Auto Repair Shop source area which to be representative of source locations on ANCSA conveyed land. Ginna Quesada
5/3/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC Approved the Final 2021 Bethel RI-RA Work Plan. All comments were incorporated and figures updated. Tim Sharp
8/17/2021 CERCLA Proposed Plan DEC sent comments on the FUDS managed Bethel Airport Draft Final Proposed Plan. DEC, as expressed earlier, does not agree with the No Further Action alternative selected by USACE. There are multiple nondelineated detections of vinyl chloride and naphthalene in soil and detection limits for vinyl chloride were above Table C. In addition, delineation is needed to determine the source of chlorinated solvent coordination (i.e, if it's attributable to an upstream or upgradient source) Tim Sharp
1/3/2022 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 71049 name: asphalt drums Tim Sharp
3/25/2022 CERCLA Proposed Plan DEC sent an acknowledgement of receipt for the Final Proposed Plan. As DEC was not able to fully coordinate with USACE through comment resolution before the document was finalized, the Final Proposed Plan is not approved. Tim Sharp
3/25/2022 Cleanup Plan Approved DEC approved the Preferred Alternative of No Further Action for the FUDS Former Airport Tract B (Motor Repair Shop, Auto Repair Shop, and Power Plant areas). All chlorinated volatile organic compound (cVOC) exceedances in soil samples were biased or estimated due to lab quality issues and were rejected. The only remaining petroleum contamination at the site is de minimis in quantity. As such, remaining contamination present is adequately characterized and poses no unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. Tim Sharp
3/25/2022 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 80714 Auto Repair Shop. Tim Sharp
3/25/2022 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 80715 Motor Repair Shop. Tim Sharp
9/2/2022 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC sent comments on the Draft Decision Document (DD) for Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste at the Bethel Airport Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS). The DD presents the No Action decision for the Bethel Airport FUDS HTRW Project. This decision is based on the historical activities and investigations at the site. None of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) contaminants present at the site exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Risk Based Screening Levels (RSLs) or 1/10th of ADEC’s risk-based standards. The DD therefore states onsite contaminant concentrations do not pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment and no further investigation or remedial action is necessary. Tim Sharp
9/23/2022 CERCLA ROD Approved ADEC approved the Final Decision Document for Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste (HTRW), Bethel Airport Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS), Bethel, AK Dated September 2022. The Decision Document (DD) presents the No Action decision for the Bethel Airport FUDS HTRW Project. This decision is based on the historical activities and investigations at the site. None of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) contaminants present at the site exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Risk Based Screening Levels (RSLs) or 1/10th of ADEC’s risk-based standards. The DD therefore states onsite contaminant concentrations do not pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment and no further investigation or remedial action is necessary. Tim Sharp
3/6/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC completed a review of and submitted comments on the Draft Debris Clearance Work Plan for Former Bethel Airport Landfill East and Infantry Area. The work plan proposes field procedures for Department of Defense (DoD) related surface debris clearance and removal activities, along with soil sampling and potential sediment and surface water sampling if contamination is detected. This work is being funded under the Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program (NALEMP) through DoD and therefore applies only to contamination or debris from previous DoD activities. The project is estimated to remove approximately ten wood pilings and 83 cubic yards (cy) of debris from the Landfill East area and 950 cy of debris from the Infantry Area. An additional 1220 cy of debris may be removed from the northern portion of the Infantry Area under this contract. Tim Sharp
3/7/2023 CERCLA ROD Approved DEC sent an approval letter for the signed Final Record of Decision, received February 24, 2023. DEC had previously approved the unsigned version of this document, at that time known as the Final Decision Document (DD), on September 23, 2022. DEC agreed at the time that none of the CERCLA contaminants present at the site exceeded 1/10th of DEC’s risk-based standards. The language referencing 1/10th of DEC’s risk-based standards was removed from the original approved document during finalization of this ROD. This does not impact the status of the site or DEC’s support of the Final signed ROD, though DEC wished to note the discrepancy. Tim Sharp
3/30/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the Final Debris Clearance Work Plan for the Former Bethel Airport -Landfill East and Infantry Area Sites on this date. Tim Sharp
8/28/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed the Draft Monitoring Well Decommissioning Work Plan and had no comments. The work plan described decommissioning activities proposed for the seven monitoring wells present at the FUDS-managed former airport location, and follows DEC guidance documents and applicable regulations. USACE will finalize the work plan and provide to DEC for backcheck and approval. Tim Sharp
9/21/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC completed a backcheck and approved the Final Work Plan for Bethel Airport Monitoring Well Decommissioning on this date. Tim Sharp
11/15/2023 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received the Draft FUDS Monitoring Well Decommissioning Report on 11/13/2023. The report discussed decommissioning seven monitoring wells present at the FUDS-managed former airport location, and followed DEC guidance documents, applicable regulations, and the DEC-approved Work Plan. DEC had no comments and is awaiting a Final Report for approval. Tim Sharp
1/16/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the Final Monitoring Well Decommissioning Report for FUDS related work after backcheck on this day. Tim Sharp
3/19/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC completed a review of the Draft 2023 Removal Action Report at the Former Todd Airfield (FTA). The report details removal actions at the FTA during the 2023 field season. This work was conducted in conjunction with release and remedial investigations, which will be included in separate reporting. Removal actions were conducted at six areas of concern (AOCs): The Crowley Marine Building Drum Site, Engine Generator Building 1, Communication Transmitter (CT) Site 1, and Radio Range Sites 2, 3, and 4. The FAA removed 57 cubic yards of petroleum contaminated soil and 33 cubic yards of lead contaminated soil from the various AOCs. The report recommends no further action be conducted at these AOCs. DEC comments include concerns about groundwater sampling at the site and ecoscoping for lead remaining at the site below human health cleanup levels. Tim Sharp

Contaminant Information

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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
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