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Site Report: Former Fairbanks City Dump

Site Name: Former Fairbanks City Dump
Address: 1980 2nd Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701
File Number: 102.38.138, 102.57.001
Hazard ID: 709
Status: Active
Staff: Jennifer McGrath, 9072690298 jennifer.mcgrath@alaska.gov
Latitude: 64.843494
Longitude: -147.763703
Horizontal Datum:NAD83

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 site is known as the former Fairbanks City Dump Site, but the dump is inactive. It was reportedly operated by the City of Fairbanks between 1951 and 1965 and was closed according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) files because the site was too small and an eyesore. It is presumed that the majority of the material deposited in the dump was municipal refuse, scrap metal, junk automobiles, scrap lumber, and household goods. There are no records of the quantity or type of materials that disposed of at the dump. EPA ID #AKD980495543. Site is located across from National Guard Armory near the Chena River. Cross Reference File Number 102.23.016. In 2004 the site received an EPA Targeted Brownfield Assessment which identified subsurface impacts, including low-level polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) contamination. In 2005 the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) was awarded an additional assessent grant to further evaluate conditions, and in 2006, they were awarded a cleanup grant. The results were a proposed analyses of brownfield cleanup alternatives, and site improvements by the FNSB to expend the safe use of the properties in question.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
8/8/1980 Preliminary Assessment Approved Ecology and Environment assessment of inactive dump indicated 15-20 drums of solidified tar and household/construction refuse. No hazardous waste suspected. Former Staff
7/13/1984 Preliminary Assessment Approved TetraTech assigned low priority to site. Former Staff
12/12/1990 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. Former Staff
1/14/1994 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RPL2 - Site Information Request Letter). Sent PRP-CS Database Notification Letter to RP requesting update and more environmental information concerning the contaminated site. As of this "complete date" no response has been received. Jeff Peterson
1/25/1994 Site Added to Database Former Staff
4/30/2001 Site Number Identifier Changed Changed Workplan from 09 to 01 because no hazardous substances are documented to exist for this event. Former Staff
7/10/2002 GIS Position Updated Plotted latitude and longitude coordinates and found them to be acceptable for associated property or address. Heather Goldman
5/20/2005 Update or Other Action Received Phase I ESA from URS as part of a Targeted Brownfield Assessment. John Carnahan
8/4/2005 GIS Position Updated Slightly adjusted position and changed into NAD83 values. Updated metadata to reflect changes. Torsten Ernst
9/15/2005 Site Characterization Report Approved Received a Targeted Brownfields Assessment report completed by URS, funded by the EPA TBA Program. The report objectives were to define the extent of the former historic City of Fairbanks dump site, and determine the characteristics of groundwater within the waste areas. IT was not a comprehensive assessment, but was intended to identify whether the site required further evaluation. The FNSB also has a competitive brownfield grant to conduct additional assessment. John Carnahan
11/22/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held Met with FNSB to discuss their upcoming grant requests for further brownfield cleanup grant funding on Universal Recylcing project and this project briefly. Discussed the potential for implementing TRIAD approach to assessment for this property. Need to set up meeting between DEC, Chris Storhok, and Paul Costello (possibly more Land Management Staff). John Carnahan
3/16/2006 Update or Other Action The EPA, US Army Corp of Engineers (Corps), and the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Fairbanks (DEC) have volunteered to work with the FNSB through the Triad Systematic Planning Process for the Chena Riverbend development project. The project is being funded through an EPA brownfield assessment grant. John Carnahan
3/21/2006 Update or Other Action Received information packet specific to EPA Triad Systematic Planning process from FNSB. Includes aerial photos and tentative schedule of events. John Carnahan
4/27/2006 Meeting or Teleconference Held The FNSB, ADOT, DEC, USACOE, EPA and Argonne Laboratories met between 4/25 and 4/27 to conduct Triad Systematic Planning for what is termed the Chena Riverbend Redevelopment assessment project. The parties met to discuss the proposed assessment effort, and determine the intent of the assessment, needs of all parties, and the type of data and information that is necessary in order to make reasoned decisions as part of the assessment. John Carnahan
8/18/2006 Brownfields Award Brownfield Confirmed: Site approved as brownfield through EPA brownfield program. STRP funds $80,621 awarded for a Phase II Environmental Assessment John Carnahan
9/20/2006 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Site was reranked with the AHRM based on informatio provided by the EPA Phase II ESA. Raised site from low to high priority based on specific contaminant identified (toxicity level increased), and unknown quantity. John Carnahan
10/23/2007 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Workplan and QA plan approved by EPA, DEC QA Officer, and PM. Work to commence within week. John Carnahan
4/30/2008 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Draft ESA report received. John Carnahan
7/1/2008 Site Characterization Report Approved Draft ESA considered 'FINAL' without revisions. Work included a ground penetrating radar study, subsurface soil gas study, test pit investigation, followed wtih soil boring and groundwater well installation and sampling. John Carnahan
9/30/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 71688 name: Former Fairbanks City Dump John Carnahan
9/30/2009 Update or Other Action Received draft Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives, Former City of Fairbanks Landfill. John Carnahan
9/30/2010 Interim Removal Action Approved FNSB called to report that a drum with tar/asphalt substance was unearthed as part of a small excavation to improve the baseball field dugouts. The drum was punctured and a small amount of the contents spilled to the soil. They will remove the material, have it treated (assumed thermally) and will collect single sample beneath the location. Additional excavation in the same area will be advanced with care so as to not damage any other potential drums. Consultant for FNSB will document activities and provide letter report. John Carnahan
10/26/2010 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved Received analytical data report from S&W and approved transport of one overpacked drum of <25 gallons of heavy oil that can be burned for energy recovery, and one supersack of <1/2 cubic yard, containing spilled oil from drum. RRO was detected at 463 mg/kg, below most stringent cleanup criteria. John Carnahan
10/28/2010 Update or Other Action Meeting to discuss the Alternative Brownfield Cleanup Analysis with FNSB and consultant. Purpose was to discuss additional alternative that is beneficial to human health and the environment that enhances existing facilities without excavation of landfill debris. Because of limited funding, the alternative will prioritize the enhancements as 1. Roadway/driveway to far side of ARCO field. This is the main contributor to the dust. 2. Parking lot area with RAP adjacent to Carlson Center parking lot. 3. Multi-use turf area – To be utilized for the Midnight Sun Intertribal Powow and other special events, in addtion to practice fields for youth participants in football, soccer, etc. FNSB lacks practice areas for our youth. Winter activities may include an outside ice rink. 4. Ballfield parking – RAP north of ARCO Field. John Carnahan
12/20/2012 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 78959 name: Asphalt/Tar Drum beneath dugout John Carnahan
7/28/2015 Update or Other Action Site has been inactive for some time and the City will need to determine how to address the remaining monitoring wells that are located on the site. If no indication of regional groundwater concerns, the site will be evaluated for potential closure. Request final reporting from the FNSB and sent email request for update to FNSB. John Carnahan

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details

Requirements

Description Details

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