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Site Report: Kogru River / FUDS Main Cantonment Area

Site Name: Kogru River / FUDS Main Cantonment Area
Address: West Side of Harrison Bay, 100 Mi. West of Deadhorse, Nuiqsut, AK 99789
File Number: 320.38.005
Hazard ID: 770
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 70.575833
Longitude: -152.256111
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

Site acquired in 1954 for use as a Distant Early Warning site. Deactivated in 1958. Site was part of Husky Oil NPR cleanup and an unknown amount of drums were buried at the site in 1981. Sampling has documented the release of PCBs, solvents, fuel products, pesticides, and metals at varying levels. Extent of contamination appears to include entire site. Subsistence activity at the site is documented. Former site manager: Cutler. EPA ID# AK0141190082--CERCLIS site. DERP-FUD. Former USAF site (rpltr3.1). According to the FUDS Site Summary dated 2/21/96, restoration includes eight 300 gallon oil storage tanks and 60+ 55 gallon POL drums. The total estimated volume of debris is 200 cubic yards. Approximately 8,000 cubic yards of gravel fill are contaminated. The Kogru River is eroding one of the two landfills at the site. Update (11/14/2011): In 2011, the eroding portion of the landfill, cell 4) was made into a separate site and the remainder of the landfill, cells 1, 2, and 3, were made into a 3rd site. The developed portion to include the pads, runway, roads, is now referred to as the Main Cantonment Area. Cleanup actions were performed at the Main Cantonment in 1995 and 1998, with additional sampling of surface water in 2003 and soil sampling to determine background levels in 2007. Contaminated soil was excavated from six areas in 1995; excavations were backfilled with clean material. Confirmation sampling shows that no contaminants remain above method 2 arctic zone cleanup levels, except arsenic, which was found at a maximum concentration of 9.8 mg/kg, consistent with naturally occurring background soil concentrations. DEC has determined that remaining contaminant levels do not pose a risk to human health or to the environment, and has determined that cleanup is complete at the Main Cantonment area.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
9/1/1985 Preliminary Assessment Approved Site assessed by contractor. Approximately 230 POL drums and two fuel tanks were inventoried. Collection of soil, water, and insulation samples were analyzed for volatile organics, semi-volatile organics, PCBs, metals, and asbestos. Chlorinated pesticides, volatile organics and PNAs were detected in water and soil samples from within and around the buildings. PCBs were detected from the drain of the shop. Asbestos is present in the pipe insulation of buildings. Former Staff
9/1/1987 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = FI - Field Inspection (General)). America North, Inc. conducted brief site inspection to determine if visually contaminated soil and water were present at the site and to develop drum inventory. 30 drums, 15 with liquids were identified. Water sheens, soil stains, and "other evidence indicative" of contamination were observed. Former Staff
4/26/1988 Preliminary Assessment Approved (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). DOWL Engineers identified 6 areas of potential contamination based on historical use, as well as one area based on visual examination: 1. Shop Area had 24.5 ppm PCBs from 1985 sampling and comprehensive sampling recommended. 2. Warehouse site had pesticides including DDT - comprehensive sampling recommended. 3. Composite building also had PCBs - comprehensive sampling recommended. 4. Tower anchor area had visual evidence of fuel contamination. Screen sampling recommended. 5. Fuel tank foundations have surface water within 50 meters which may serve as migration pathway. Screen sampling recommended. Tanks still present. 6. Western landfill has evidence of surface water sheens and samples reveal pesticide and petroleum products - comprehensive sampling. 7. North landfill had toluene and other petroleum products in a sediment sample and the area was recommended for screen sampling due to low levels of contamination. Former Staff
1/1/1990 Site Added to Database Multiple contaminants and locations. Former Staff
7/30/1990 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = SI - Site Investigation). Phase II Site Investigation by DOWL Engineers conducted further sampling at the site with 45 surface soil/sediment/water, 2 drum, and 2 background samples. The location of concern identified as the Composite Building, Shop, Warehouse and Fuel Tank Foundation areas and both the landfill areas of the site. PCBs, DDT, pesticides, PNAs, metals, solvents, and fuel products were all detected at various levels. PCBs ranged from 99 - 471 ppb. DDT ranged from 22 - 24 ppb. Ten drums were found to be contemporary and were not tested. No asbestos samples were taken, but due to its presence at other Dew Line Stations, it is suspected at Kogru River. Recommended further sampling to determine the horizontal and vertical extent of the contaminated areas and an investigation into the leaching and migration potential of the contaminated soils. Former Staff
4/23/1991 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. Former Staff
10/3/1991 Update or Other Action (Old R:Base Action Code = RAPR - Remedial Action Plan Review (CS)). Remedial plans reviewed. Written comments returned to U.S. Army. Former Staff
9/8/1992 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. Jim Levine\COE called 10-5-92 and responded by returning updated DECRPTs. Jeff Peterson
1/29/1993 Preliminary Assessment Approved ADEC received copy of Preliminary Assessment prepared by BLM to fulfill EPA requirements for the Federal Facility Docket. Former Staff
3/18/1997 Update or Other Action Site updated by Shannon and Wilson, based on FUDS Site Summary dated 2/21/96. S&W
4/7/1998 Update or Other Action Received final site work plan for removal action. Tamar Stephens
4/15/1998 Meeting or Teleconference Held Attended Barrow RAB meeting. Updates on this site are regularly given at Barrow RAB meetings. Tamar Stephens
7/16/1998 Meeting or Teleconference Held Attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
10/8/1998 Meeting or Teleconference Held Attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
1/14/1999 Meeting or Teleconference Held Attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
4/8/1999 Meeting or Teleconference Held Attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
7/15/1999 Meeting or Teleconference Held Attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
9/2/1999 Update or Other Action Stephens conducted site inspection with COE. Buildings, debris, contaminated soil have been removed from site. Next step will be to evaluate for closure. Tamar Stephens
11/4/1999 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
12/16/1999 Update or Other Action Reviewed draft Remedial Action Report. Need report on previous work from 1995 or 1996 to complete evaluation of site. Old landfill needs additional work - debris is exposed along eroding bluff. Tamar Stephens
2/24/2000 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
5/4/2000 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
1/18/2001 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
4/13/2001 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
11/8/2001 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
2/21/2002 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
9/19/2002 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
10/22/2002 Update or Other Action DEC received a copy of an Oct. 16, 2002 letter from EPA to the landowner (BLM) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, stating that it completed a file review and the hazard ranking system (HRS) pre-score and that the site is a low priority for addition to the national priorities list (NPL). It notes that DEC is the lead regulatory agency for the cleanup. EPA requested a copy of the final remedial/close-out report when it is completed. John Halverson
11/17/2002 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
1/9/2003 Update or Other Action Stephens and Corps of Engineers recently updated Defense/State Memorandum of Agreement Cooperative Agreement Work Plan; Corps is planning site investigation in summer 2003, to include landfill. Tamar Stephens
2/7/2003 Site Number Identifier Changed Changed the Region from 36 to 31 and Sequence Number from 14 to 08. Former Staff
2/13/2003 Meeting or Teleconference Held Attended Statewide RAB meeting in Anchorage during Alaska Forum on the Environment. Tamar Stephens
3/13/2003 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
6/19/2003 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
7/2/2003 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Approved work plan for sampling to fill data gaps. Tamar Stephens
12/11/2003 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
2/12/2004 Meeting or Teleconference Held Attended Statewide RAB meeting in Anchorage during Alaska Forum on the Environment. Tamar Stephens
3/11/2004 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Barrow RAB meeting. Tamar Stephens
4/12/2004 Site Characterization Report Approved Reviewed and approved Chemical Data Report, ERP067 Kogru DEW Line Site – Additional Characterization for Site Closure, North Slope Borough, Alaska. Report shows little contamination remaining at pad. Toe of the landfill shows sheen on water, petroleum contamination in sediments, and elevated metals in surface water. Tamar Stephens
9/23/2004 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Restoration Advisory Board meeting in Barrow. Tamar Stephens
12/9/2004 Meeting or Teleconference Held Emily Youcha attended Restoration Advisory Board meeting in Barrow. Tamar Stephens
2/10/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Statewide RAB meeting in Anchorage during Alaska Forum on the Environment. Tamar Stephens
2/10/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held Tamar Stephens attended Restoration Advisory Board Roundtable at Alaska Forum on the Environment. Tamar Stephens
3/10/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held Stephens attended Restoration Advisory Board meeting in Barrow. Tamar Stephens
9/8/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board meeting. Tamar Stephens
12/8/2005 Meeting or Teleconference Held Emily Youcha represented DEC at Barrow Restoration Advisory Board in Tamar Stephens' place. Tamar Stephens
1/1/2006 Update or Other Action USGS issued a report "Geophysical Investigations of Selected Infrastructure Sites with the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska" that presented results of geophysical investigation performed in 2005 at several sites in NPRA, including the Western Landfill at Kogru. (Report was released sometime in 2006; actual publication date of report is not known.) Report identified four cells of buried waste, which it identified as Cells 1, 2, 3, and 4. Cell 4 was eroding into the Kogru River at the time of the report. Tamar Stephens
2/9/2006 Meeting or Teleconference Held Tamar Stephens attended Restoration Advisory Board Roundtable at Alaska Forum on the Environment. Tamar Stephens
3/9/2006 Meeting or Teleconference Held Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board meeting. Tamar Stephens
6/22/2006 Meeting or Teleconference Held Emily Youcha represented DEC at Barrow Restoration Advisory Board meeting in Tamar Stephens' place. Tamar Stephens
9/14/2006 Meeting or Teleconference Held Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board meeting. Tamar Stephens
12/7/2006 Meeting or Teleconference Held Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board meeting. Tamar Stephens
12/7/2006 Meeting or Teleconference Held Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board meeting. Tamar Stephens
2/22/2007 Update or Other Action Letter sent to Ms. Mollie TeVrucht, Corps of Engineers, requesting a removal action at western landfill. Letter cited evidence of contamination, including sample results and photographs of drums and batteries eroding from face of landfill into Kogru River. Letter drafted by Tamar Stephens, project manager; finalized and sent by John Halverson, Environmental Program Manager. Tamar Stephens
3/8/2007 Meeting or Teleconference Held Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board meeting. Tamar Stephens
6/26/2007 Update or Other Action Received letter from Ms. Mollie TeVrucht of Corps of Engineers in response to John Halversons letter from February 22, 2007. Letter states that Corps does not agree that there is adequate documentation of a release or threat of hazardous substances at the landfill to warrant a removal action. Tamar Stephens
6/28/2007 Meeting or Teleconference Held Zachary Richter represented DEC at Barrow Restoration Advisory Board meeting in Tamar Stephens' place. Tamar Stephens
7/19/2007 Update or Other Action Received draft Remedial Investigation Work Plan and Sampling and Analysis Plan to conduct limited additional sampling at surface water and sediments at face of eroding landfill and to collect background samples in Harrison Bay. Tamar Stephens
7/30/2007 Update or Other Action Sent review letter and comments on draft Remedial Investigation Work Plan and Sampling and Analysis Plan. Requested a clearer statement of objectives and additional sampling at the eroding face of the landfill. Tamar Stephens
9/28/2007 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Approval letter sent for Work Plan and Sampling and Analysis Plan to characterize surface water and soil/sediment at the toe of the landfill bluff, and to collect background samples for metals. DEC previously reviewed the draft Work Plan and Sampling and Analysis Plan and sent review comments in a letter dated July 30, 2007. DEC comments on the draft documents were resolved through telephone discussions and e-mail communication prior to mobilization to the field. Field work was performed in August, 2007. The only required changes were for verification that the laboratory has current DEC approved for the types of analyses required by this project, and that the person conducting the sampling meets the requirements of a “qualified person” as defined in 18 AAC 75.990 (100). The approval letter was sent following receipt of the final work plan that included the laboratory and qualified person information. Tamar Stephens
3/11/2008 Update or Other Action DEC reviewed and sent comments on draft Site Inspection Report that presented results of sampling conducted in August 2007. Tamar Stephens
3/13/2008 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed. Tamar Stephens
6/2/2008 Update or Other Action The Corps of Engineers issues a revised Project Inventory Report (INPR) to make three sites, or projects, at Kogru. Previously, the entire facility was considered one site or project. The three projects created by the revised INPR consist of Project No. F10AK0022-03 Main Cantonment (this is the original project number); F10AK0022-04 Western Landfill Cell 4 (the eroding cell); and F10AK0022-05 Western Landfill Cells 1, 2, and 3. Tamar Stephens
6/19/2008 Site Characterization Report Approved Reviewed and sent approval letter for Final Kogru (POW-B) DEW-Line Station Site Inspection Report. The report documented shoreline erosion at a rate of 0.4 to 2.15 feet over the past 20 years; exceedance of water quality criteria for copper, lead and nickel in marine water; petroleum sheen coming from the toe of the landfill; photographic documentation of industrial-nature solid waste eroded out of the landfill into the water, including drums, battery parts and automobile parts. Tamar Stephens
9/3/2008 Update or Other Action Reviewed and sent comments on draft 2008 Engineering Evaluation / Cost Analysis report. Report evaluates alternatives for a removal action for the eroding cell, Cell #4, at the Kogru landfill. Tamar Stephens
10/13/2008 Update or Other Action Reviewed and sent comments via electronic markup of draft Action Memorandum for a removal action for Cell #4 of the landfill. Tamar Stephens
10/21/2008 Meeting or Teleconference Held Tamar Stephens participated in teleconference with Corps of Engineers and contractor to resolve comments from all reviewers to finalize the Engineering Evaluation / Cost Analysis for a removal action of Cell #4 of the Kogru landfill. Tamar Stephens
10/29/2008 Update or Other Action Received final Engineering Evaluation / Cost Analysis Report for Landfill Cell #4 Removal Action. Tamar Stephens
1/14/2009 Update or Other Action Reviewed and sent comment letter on draft Work Plan for interim removal action at landfill Cell #4. Tamar Stephens
2/17/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held Tamar Stephens attended public meeting held by Corps of Engineers in Barrow to present information on planned interim removal action for Landfill Cell #4. Tamar Stephens
3/13/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
3/20/2009 Interim Removal Action Approved Reviewed and sent approval letter for final Work Plan – Kogru West Landfill Cell 4 Interim Removal Action. Interim action will consist of excavation of contents of Cell #4; segregation of contents into various waste streams; appropriate disposal of each waste stream; and confirmation sampling. Work is scheduled for late March through early May, 2009. Tamar Stephens
9/17/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
11/13/2009 Update or Other Action Reviewed and sent comments on draft Interim Removal Action Report, Kogru West Landfill Cell 4. Tamar Stephens
12/31/2009 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
1/5/2010 Interim Removal Action Approved Reviewed and sent approval letter for final Interim Removal Action Report, Kogru West Landfill Cell 4. Report documents successful excavation, segregation, and proper disposal of contents of landfill cell #4, and confirmation sampling showing that cleanup levels were met. Tamar Stephens
3/18/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
6/17/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
9/24/2010 Update or Other Action Cleanup Complete Determination was made for the Western Landfill Cell 4 following completion of a removal action in 2009. Environmental Program Manager John Halverson signed the "Declaration of Project Closure Decision for Formerly Used Defense Site HTRW Project Kogru River DEW Line Site West Landfill Cell 4 North Slope Borough, Alaska (F10AK002204)" on 9/24/2010. The Declaration was also signed by Colonel Reinhard w. Koenig, District Commander, US Corps of Engineers, on 9/23/2010. This determination applies only to Cell 4 of the Western Landfill. Tamar Stephens
9/30/2010 Update or Other Action Tamar Stephens reviewed and sent comments on a draft No DOD Action Indicated (NDAI) Report for the Main Cantonment Area. The report summarizes various investigations, removal actions, and confirmation sampling performed at the site, beginning in 1989. The letter concurred that the Main Cantonment area meets the requirements for a cleanup complete determination, but the NDAI report needs additional information to support that determination. Comments specifically addressed the additional information that should be included in the report. Tamar Stephens
10/13/2010 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board Meeting. Tamar Stephens
12/14/2010 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 78995 name: Main Cantonment Area Tamar Stephens
3/17/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board meeting. Tamar Stephens
5/3/2011 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC received the Final No DO Action Indicated Report. The report addresses comments submitted by DEC on previous draft versions. The report summarizes past investigations and cleanup actions and present the basis for a cleanup complete determination. Tamar Stephens
7/8/2011 CERCLA ROD Approved A Declaration of Project Closure Decision for the Kogru River DEW Line Site Main Cantonment Area was signed on June 27, 2011 by Reinhard W. Koening, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Commander, and on July 8, 2011, byt John Halverson, Department of Defense Cleanup Unit Manager, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Tamar Stephens
7/8/2011 Cleanup Level(s) Approved Method 2 arctic zone cleanup levels were approved for this site with the signing of the Declaratin of Project Closure Decision. Tamar Stephens
10/13/2011 Meeting or Teleconference Held Contaminated sites staff Tamar Stephens attended Barrow Restoration Advisory Board meeting. Tamar Stephens
11/14/2011 Update or Other Action The Kogru River FUDS installation has been separated into three sites to allow separate management and closure of different areas. A geophysical investigation performed in 2005 by USGS identified four concentrations of buried waste in the Western Landfill, referred to as Cells 1, 2, 3, and 4. Cell 4 was eroding into the Kogru River and was completely excavated during a removal action in 2009. This three sites are now listed on the contaminated sites database as: "Kogru River / Main Cantonment Area;" "Kogru River / FUDS Western Landfill Cell 4;" and "Kogru River Western Landfill Cells 1, 2, and 3." Please see database entries for the two Western Landfill sites for ongoing actions specific to them. Tamar Stephens
11/14/2011 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 78995 Main Cantonment Area . Tamar Stephens
12/13/2011 Cleanup Complete Determination Issued A Declaration of Project Closure Decision for the Kogru River DEW Line Site Main Cantonment Area was signed on June 27, 2011 by Reinhard W. Koening, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Commander, and on July 8, 2011, byt John Halverson, Department of Defense Cleanup Unit Manager, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. The project closure for this site was previously listed in the database actions for the Kogru DEW Line site, but the overall site status was listed as open. DEC has subsequently separated the The Kogru DEW Line site into three sites to correspond with a division into three separate projects by the Corps of Engineers (Main Cantonment; Western Landfill Cell 4; and Western Landfill Cells 1, 2, and 3). Separation of the Kogru former DEW Line into three sites has allowed this update to the data base to show closure of the Main Cantonment area with a cleanup complete determination. Tamar Stephens
12/13/2011 Institutional Control Record Removed Institutional Controls have been removed. Tamar Stephens

Contaminant Information

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

Control Type

Type Details
No ICs Required

Requirements

Description Details
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

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State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

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Phone: 907-465-5066
Fax: 907-465-5245
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