Skip to content Skip to content

Site Report: Wainwright DEW Line/LIZ-3/Fuel Spills (SS004)

Site Name: Wainwright DEW Line/LIZ-3/Fuel Spills (SS004)
Address: Kuk River on the, Chuckchi Sea, Wainwright, AK 99782
File Number: 360.38.002
Hazard ID: 744
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 70.610305
Longitude: -159.870319
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 module train was located in the main camp area and included the sanitary wastewater treatment facility, potable water treatment facility, diesel power generators, radar equipment, recreational facilities, dining facilities, and an incinerator. There were two separate 10,000-gallon fuel spills reported in the 1970s near the powerhouse section of the module train. Additional areas of concern at the Module Train Area include polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination associated with transformers and other electrical equipment containing PCBs, the culvert outfalls, the sewer main outfall, a drum spill area south of the module train building and the former tank farm and pump house located west of the module train building. Cleanup activities at the module train area included the removal and off-site disposal of PCB contaminated soil. Petroleum contaminated soil from the diesel spills was excavated and treated on-site by landfarming. All of the buildings at the module train area were demolished in 2013, and all of the associated infrastructure including piping and tanks have been removed.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
9/3/1995 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RI - Remedial Investigation). Action date used is the date of the Air Force Relative Risk Evaluation Worksheet, which indicates the site is in the RI phase. S&W
2/3/1997 Site Added to Database Site added by Shannon and Wilson. See also Reckey 198931X902502. S&W
10/19/2000 Site Number Identifier Changed Changed the Region from 36 to 31. Former Staff
12/20/2004 Update or Other Action New Air Force PM has tentatively scheduled RAB meeting for January 11, 2005. Mike Jaynes
7/12/2007 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Intitial Ranking Complete for Source Area: 71723 (Autogenerated Action)
8/2/2007 Update or Other Action ADEC conducted a site visit of the site and met with Hoefler who was in the process of conducting a Remedial Investigation of the IRP sites. Deborah Williams
12/10/2007 Risk Assessment Report Approved ADEC received the Final Risk Evaluation Report – Alaska North Slope Radar Installation Sites on November 6, 2007. This report meets the requirements of the ADEC Contaminated Sites Program Risk Assessment Procedures Manual, adopted by reference in 18 AAC 75.340. An approval letter was sent to Dave Cook, Program Manager HQ PACAF/A7NR, on December 10, 2007 This project identified categories of sites that are common on remote Air Force installations in the North Slope region of Alaska and developed conceptual site models and human health and ecological risk based screening levels for four of these categories: garage sites, fuel storage sites, non-fuel storage sites, and transformer sites. The project developed templates for conducting human health and ecological risk evaluations for these categories and performed a risk evaluation as a test case for one example of each type of site. The final report contains guidance on applying the process to other North Slope region sites. It may be used on a site-specific basis as a tool to assist in assessing potential risks posed by North Slope Air Force installation sites. Tamar Stephens
6/5/2008 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC staff attended a Restoration Advisory Board meeting in Wainwright, Alaska. The purpose of the meeting was to update the community with the results of the 2007 Investigation Report. The attendees at the meeting included the Air Force, their consultant, ADEC, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and a couple of members from the community. There is a lot of interest in the former Dew Line site because the Oil Companies are interested in using the airstrip and pad for logistical support for the off-shore drilling operations planned in the area. The Air Force plans to conduct Clean Sweep of the site during FY2010. The primary contaminants of concern at the various sites are petroleum and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). The old landfill (LF006) is located outside of the Air Force boundary and is currently eroding into the lagoon. PCBs were identified at one area in the landfill at levels above 1 parts per million. The cleanup levels established for the site are the proposed Method 2 Arctic Zone levels for areas not located near surface water bodies and Method 1 Arctic Zone levels for areas that are located next to surface water or have the potential for eroding into surface water bodies. BLM was against the Air Force creating a new landfill at the site for the disposal of any debris or soil during the Clean Sweep Program. Future discussions will be necessary to address these issues when the cleanup plans are submitted for the Dew Line site. Deborah Williams
1/28/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC staff attended a public meeting in Wainwright, Alaska. The purpose of the meeting was to present the Proposed Plan to the community and provide opportunities for public comments. Attendees at the meeting included the Air Force, their consultants, ADEC, and members of the community. The Proposed Plan summarizes previous environmental investigations and presents the preferred remedial alternatives for the Beach Diesel Tanks site, the Module Train Area, the Old Landfill, and the Garage Area. Melody Debenham
9/7/2011 CERCLA ROD Approved DEC signed the Record of Decision describing the final selected remedy for the Module Train Area (SS004). The contaminants of concern at this site are PCBs and diesel and residual range organics. The selected remedy includes excavating the PCB and/or petroleum contaminated soil and properly disposing of it off-site. Melody Debenham
9/26/2012 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved the final Remedial Action Report for the Module Train Area, the Garage Area, the Old Landfill, and the Former Minimally Attended Radar Station (MARS) pipeline. At the Module Train Area PCB and petroleum contaminated soil was removed and transported offsite for treatment. Evidence of a previously undocumented petroleum release under the Module Train Area was encountered during excavation, and additional remedial action will be needed to remove the remaining petroleum contamination. At the Garage Area PCB and petroleum contaminated soil was removed and transported offsite for disposal. Confirmation sampling results indicate that remaining contaminant concentrations are all below the cleanup levels. At the Old Landfill site, 20 sediment samples were collected from within the Kuk Lagoon, offshore from where the interim removal action was performed in 2010. The samples were analyzed for PCBs and results were all below the cleanup level. At the Former MARS Pipeline site, pipelines that connected two former 40,000-gallon diesel skid mounted tanks to the MARS buildings were removed. There were no indications of leaks or spills during removal actions, and confirmation sample results were all below the cleanup levels. Melody Debenham
5/8/2013 Cleanup Plan Approved Approved the final work plan describing the demolition of the Wainwright SRRS facilities, including excavation of petroleum contaminated soil from under the Module Train Building, removal and disposal of underground fuel pipelines, collection and disposal of remaining hazardous or regulated materials (including asbestos), removal and off-site disposal of demolition debris, and site restoration. The petroleum contaminated soil under the Module Train Building will be transported to the SRRS airstrip for landspreading. Melody Debenham
8/21/2013 Site Visit The contractor has completed site demolition and cleanup activities. The Technical Services Building and the Radar Building/Radar Antenna remain on site. All other buildings have been demolished and all tanks and fuel pipelines have been removed from the site for disposal. Excavation of petroleum contaminated soil from under the Module Train Building has been completed, and the soil is staged for landfarming. The New Landfill Site has been excavated and the contents properly disposed of. Melody Debenham
4/10/2015 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Approved final Wainwright Short Range Radar Site SS004 (Module Train Area) and SS007 (Garage Area) Site Demolition and Cleanup Remedial Action Report. Approximately 500 cubic yards of petroleum contaminated soil was excavated from the diesel spills area and landspread at the installation for treatment. Remaining petroleum concentrations are deminimus. At the PCB Spills Area, PCB and petroleum contaminated soil was removed and shipped off-site for treatment. Confirmation sample results were below cleanup levels. The former 65,000-gallon above ground fuel tanks and associated diesel pipelines were decommissioned. Sample results were below cleanup levels. PCB contaminated concrete from the Module Train was transported off-site for proper disposal. Melody Debenham
5/8/2015 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 71723 Module Train Spills. Melody Debenham
5/26/2015 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued Several remedial actions have been performed at this site. PCB contaminated soil was excavated and transported off-site for disposal. Petroleum contaminated soil from the diesel spills area was excavated and treated by landspreading. Three confirmation sample results from the diesel spills area excavation had DRO concentrations above the cleanup level. Additional excavation was done in these areas, however no additional confirmation samples were collected before the excavation was backfilled. These three samples were located sporadically around the excavation bottom, and samples collected closer to the lateral extents of the excavation were below cleanup levels, indicating they represent small areas of de minimis remaining petroleum contamination. This site has received a “Cleanup Complete” designation, subject to the following standard conditions: 1. Any proposal to transport soil or groundwater off-site requires ADEC approval in accordance with 18 AAC 75.325. A “site” [as defined by 18 AAC 75.990 (115)] means an area that is contaminated, including areas contaminated by the migration of hazardous substances from a source area, regardless of property ownership. 2. Soil remains onsite with residual levels of diesel and residual range organics at concentrations with the potential to cause a water quality violation if placed in direct contact with wetlands or surface water. Movement or use of contaminated material in a manner that results in a violation of 18 AAC 70 water quality standards is prohibited. Melody Debenham

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
DRO Maximum Allowable (Arctic only) Soil
PCBs - Total < Method 2 Most Stringent Soil

Control Type

Type Details
No ICs Required

Requirements

Description Details
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.
Movement or use of contaminated material (including on site) in a manner that results in a violation of the water quality standards is prohibited (18 AAC 70)

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

Because the GIS location data for this site has not been entered, we cannot direct you to its position on the map. Click "Continue" to proceed to the Contaminated Sites Web Map or "Close" to return to the site report.
Continue     Close