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Site Report: NPS Yukon-Charley Coal Creek Mine

Site Name: NPS Yukon-Charley Coal Creek Mine
Address: 44 Miles SE of Circle, Coal Creek, Circle, AK 99733
File Number: 775.38.003
Hazard ID: 730
Status: Active
Staff: Brittani Mack, 9072628205 brittani.mack@alaska.gov
Latitude: 65.304900
Longitude: -143.149500
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

A placer gold mining operation operated in the Coal Creek drainage fairly continuously from 1936 to 1975. Beginning in 1986 the National Park Service (NPS) began investigating the environmental impacts associated with the past mining activities. The investigations lead to the identification of several areas of concern: mercury contamination at the lower camp assay building, lead contamination at the upper camp’s blacksmith shop, petroleum contamination at both camp locations and at the airstrip, and a wide scatter of 55-gallon drums. In 1994, NPS removed the drums, lead acid batteries, and other solid wastes from the site. In 1996 and 1997, the lead and mercury contaminated soil was cleaned up, and in 1998 the petroleum contaminated soil was treated on site using portable thermal remediation units. Also see files 775.07.007 and 775.23.002. EPA ID #AK0141790113. Formerly Alaska Gold.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
7/1/1986 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RECN - Site Reconnaissance (CS)). NPS undertook water sampling for heavy metals in the Coal Creek Valley during summer of 1986. Results reportedly below water quality standards except for zinc. Former Staff
7/29/1987 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). Gusmano of EPA and an ADEC staff member did a site inspection and inventory of mining camp. Found lead batteries, DDT, Hydrochloric and Nitric acid, drums of petroleum products and solvents, paint, and old dynamite. Former Staff
5/19/1988 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). Raw water from Coal Creek sampled for metals and chlorinated hydrocarbons. No chlorinated compounds or metals above detection limits. Party responsible for sampling unknown. Former Staff
7/1/1990 Preliminary Assessment Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = SA1 - Phase I Site Assessment (General)). NPS undertook surface and subsurface soil samples near assay building. Found mercury up to 6600 ppm, created an exclusion zone around assay building. Former Staff
12/6/1990 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. Former Staff
7/1/1991 Preliminary Assessment Approved Ecology and Environment conducted PA for NPS. Results of the PA indicated the need for further investigation including waste source and potential contaminant receptors. Former Staff
6/1/1992 Site Characterization Workplan Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = RI - Remedial Investigation). Reviewed RI workplan entitled "Work Plan Documents, Remedial Investigation at Coal Creek Mining District, Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, Alaska," dated 3/93, by E&E of NPS. Dan Basketfield
8/1/1992 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). COE conducted a hazardous waste survey and SI under CERCLA for the NPS. Presence of mercury confirmed near the Coal Creek assay building, in "Beaver Pup" (i.e., a local stream), and lead and mercury at several buildings at the "Upper Camp" buildings. Former Staff
1/25/1994 Site Added to Database Hazardous wastes. Former Staff
6/20/1994 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 contaminated site. Paul Girady, Park superintendent for Yukon Charlie responded with call that he did not have technical ability to handle letter. Will refer letter to NPS-Environmental Department in Anchorage: Joan Darnell at 257-2648. ADEC should contact her for all NPS sites information updates. Jeff Peterson
3/18/1996 Cleanup Level(s) Approved Backdated action to note that Final Risk Evaluation Report that developed alternative cleanup levels for site was received. Melody Debenham
5/31/1996 Update or Other Action ADEC letter sent with subject: "ADEC Cost Recovery Policy and (plan for third-party) Review of Risk Assessment for Coal Creek Mining District, Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, Alaska". Eileen Olson
6/26/1996 Update or Other Action Received third-party review comments for risk assessment. Reviewer noted that overall, the risk assessment approach is considered very conservative in some areas but is consistent with EPA's procedures and fundamental principals. Eileen Olson
12/13/1996 Update or Other Action ADEC Commissioner responded to an August 19, 1996 letter from the Alaska Miners Association alleging that NPS was conducting mining activities without a permit. Mercury contaminated soils were cleaned up using conventional mineral processing methods. Eileen Olson
8/4/1998 Meeting or Teleconference Held Met with NPS staff to discuss preliminary site investigation results (excavation and investigation done at same time) and to discuss on-site thermal treatment plan. Eileen Olson
8/24/1998 Cleanup Plan Approved ADEC conditionally approved a plan dated August 18, 1998 to thermally remediate excavated soils on site. Eileen Olson
12/10/1999 Update or Other Action Status: ADEC is awaiting final reports from NPS for cleanup of mercury contaminated soils at the assay shack and cleanup of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soils. Eileen Olson
12/10/1999 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Re-ranked site after noting previous ranking did not identify site as being in an environmental/recreation area; and Site Access Value was changed to "1" since access was not fully controlled and many hazardous substances were at the ground surface. Previous rank 24.1 Eileen Olson
5/10/2005 Update or Other Action Site Name Changed to NPS Yukon-Charley Coal Creek Mine to clarify it is the Coal Creek mine. Mike Jaynes
3/26/2010 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 71709 name: NPS Yukon-Charley Coal Creek Mine Melody Debenham
2/28/2011 Update or Other Action Corrected site location information Melody Debenham
9/9/2011 Update or Other Action Sent letter to NPS requesting copies of reports and documentation of remedial actions missing from the file. Melody Debenham
11/17/2011 Update or Other Action Received Coal Creek Mercury Contamination Mitigation Project 1996-1996 Final Project Report and 1994 Alaska NPS Drum Cleanup Program End of Season Report. Melody Debenham
9/30/2014 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Potentially responsible party letter sent to the National Park Service. Melody Debenham
3/11/2019 Update or Other Action NPS is hiring a CERCLA PM (will manage mine sites). Gretchen Caudill

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details

Requirements

Description Details
Hazard ID Site Name File Number
25617 NPS Yukon-Charley Slaven's Cabin 775.38.006

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
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