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Site Report: Murphy Dome AFS - White Alice Station

Site Name: Murphy Dome AFS - White Alice Station
Address: Top of Murphy Dome, Murphy Dome Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709
File Number: 100.38.040
Hazard ID: 786
Status: Cleanup Complete
Staff: No Longer Assigned, 9074655229 dec.icunit@alaska.gov
Latitude: 64.951733
Longitude: -148.350844
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

The Murphy Dome Long Range Radar Station was constructed as an Aircraft Control and Warning Station in 1951. Subsequently, a White Alice Station (IRP site OT06) was added to the installation in 1960. The infrastructure for the White Alice site consisted of Building 1001 and a radar tower approximately 300 feet southeast of the prominent radar domes at the former main installation. The White Alice Station was deactivated in 1979, and Building 1001 was demolished in 2001 under a Interim Removal Action. A diesel underground storage tank was part of the White Alice site, but is covered under a separate Installation Restoration Program (IRP) site (SS008). Electrical transformers containing PCBs were presumably used at the site. Sampling events in 1990 and 1992 were conducted and no contaminant was found above regulatory levels.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
1/1/1977 Interim Removal Action Approved Removal / Excavation. Cleanup of site performed between 1977 and 1981. Former Staff
9/1/1985 Update or Other Action Site Investigation. IRP Phase I - Records Search, AAC - Northern Region prepared by Engineering-Science. Seven sites identified for potential contamination, including one active waste accumulation area containing drums (waste oil), two major fuel spills (2500 and 7500 gallons), landfills, and hardfills. Dated September 1985. Former Staff
7/19/1988 Update or Other Action Field Inspection (General). RCRA inspection by R. Lillich, J. Ingalls, and D. DiTraglia. No observation of hazardous waste generation. Former Staff
4/1/1989 Update or Other Action Site Investigation. IRP Phase II - Confirmation/Quantification. Stage 1 prepared by Woodward-Clyde Consultants. Former Staff
7/17/1990 Update or Other Action FI - Field Inspection (General). Site visit by Air Force, DEC, and Woodward-Clyde. Stained ground observed at White Alice site. One composite soil sample collected. Analysis for PCB and pesticides was non-detect for these analytes. Former Staff
12/27/1990 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Initial ranking. Former Staff
1/24/1991 Site Number Identifier Changed Old Reckey 1989310102501. Changed to reflect correct workplan. Sequence changed to avoid Reckey duplication. Former Staff
5/30/1991 Update or Other Action FI - Field Inspection (General). USAF and ADEC staff noted at least one and possibly two USTs near the abandoned building which probably housed the White Alice facility. Concluded that USTs need to be removed. Former Staff
12/11/1992 Meeting or Teleconference Held ADEC met with Air Force contractor Woodward and Clyde to discuss RI/FS work plans for Murphy Dome. Most critical issue appears to be former Air Force landfill which is now on borough land. Possible groundwater contamination at this site. Former Staff
2/12/1993 Update or Other Action Site Investigation. ADEC completed review of Draft Site Investigation report completed to meet CERCLA requirements. Only White Alice Site, Background, and Surface Water Targets were sampled for TCL/TAL chemicals. Concentrations do not exceed regulatory levels. Former Staff
3/18/1993 Update or Other Action Remedial Action Plan Review. ADEC received Draft "Work Plan and Quality Assurance Program Plan Site Assessment Murphy Dome LRRS" dated March 1993. Former Staff
5/3/1993 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Remedial Action Plan Review. ADEC sent comments on "Final Work Plan and Quality Assurance Program Plan Site Assessment". Plan approved. Former Staff
5/3/1993 Update or Other Action NFA - No Further Action Required. EPA informed Air Force that site does not score high enough to be proposed for inclusion on the NPL. Former Staff
5/21/1993 Update or Other Action Correspondence (General). ADEC notified that facility is now Priority 1A for IRP funding and field work should begin summer 1993. Former Staff
5/27/1993 Update or Other Action Correspondence (General). ADEC received closure report for 1000 gallon diesel tank located near power plant removed 9/3/91. No contamination detected via PID or sample analysis. Former Staff
8/9/1993 Update or Other Action Site Investigation. Received Site Investigation Final Reports which were prepared for EPA HRS ranking. Laura Noland
9/23/1993 Update or Other Action Field Inspection (General). Visited site of 2,000 gallon diesel tank removal (tank located next to White Alice Building). Initial indications are that it is not leaking. USAF project manager was onsite to indicate site of oil seep behind old powerhouse (new IRP site). Strong POL odor noted by contractor from powerhouse downgradient to the road in September. Approximately 1 acre of contamination. Source unknown. Laura Noland
11/15/1993 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Reranked. Former Staff
1/25/1994 Site Added to Database PCB and DRO contamination. Former Staff
2/10/1994 Update or Other Action Site Investigation. Reviewed "Draft Site Characterization Technical Memorandum Site Assessment Murphy Dome LRRS" dated December 1993 which details site investigation conducted by Woodward-Clyde. Comments sent requested additional information on background samples. Laura Noland
3/21/1994 Site Characterization Report Approved Remedial Investigation. Received "Site Assessment Murphy Dome LRRS". Report details Remedial Investigation and contains risk assessment for all sites at Murphy Dome. Review conducted for RI and initial comments submitted via phone conversation. Laura Noland
4/21/1994 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Reranked for determined values of Quantity and GW Exposure elements. Former Staff
4/25/1994 Site Characterization Report Approved Site Investigation. Received and reviewed "Final Site Characterization Technical Memorandum Site Assessment Murphy Dome LRRS, Alaska" which provides sample results for all study sites at the facility. Laura Noland
5/27/1994 Update or Other Action Site Information Request Letter. Sent PRP-CS Database Notification Letter to responsible party requesting update and more environmental information concerning contaminated site. Jeff Peterson
6/15/1994 Site Ranked Using the AHRM Score = Low Priority. Former Staff
7/28/2000 Update or Other Action AFS Staff reviewed and sent comment on six Decision Document. For three of the sites NFA was proposed. The three other sites enhanced intrinsic remediation with the use of fertilizer was proposed. At one of these sites with very high DRO concentrations hot spot removal was also proposed. Patrice Buck
3/21/2001 Interim Removal Action Approved Staff signed an Interim Remedial Action Decision Document and sent it to the 611th for their signature. A Clean Sweep Project is scheduled at the site for this summer. Part of this project is to excavate “hot spots” from a hillside where a large diesel spill occurred. The Interim Remedial Action will remove DRO contaminated soil with concentration greater than 20,000 ppm. This clean up level is greater than Method 2, but it is hoped that the hot spot removal will accelerate the enhanced natural attenuation proposed in the 1997 Proposed Plan. Vegetation on this hillside has been stressed and this project will also do erosion control and reseeding. Patrice Buck
5/25/2001 Update or Other Action Murphy Dome LRRS (Buck) Staff reviewed work plan for soil excavation project to be done this summer. The AF is negotiating with a thermal treatment plant to treat approximately 15,000 cubic yards of DRO contaminated soil. The 611th construction crew will perform the work “in house”. Patrice Buck
4/22/2002 Update or Other Action Staff commented on Draft Decision Documents (Version 2) for Murphy Dome LRRS. Action entered by Sarah Riddle. Patrice Buck
7/10/2002 GIS Position Updated Plotted latitude and longitude coordinates and found them to be acceptable for associated property or address. Heather Goldman
3/9/2005 Site Closure Approved Site closure granted by ADEC on April 28, 1994 in a letter to the Air Force. Colin Craven
6/3/2005 Update or Other Action Site visit of Murphy Dome IRP sites by Craven and Jaynes. Surface cover established in 2001 during the Interim Removal Action appears stable. Colin Craven

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments
For more information about this site, contact DEC at (907) 465-5390.

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

P.O. Box 111800
Juneau, AK 99811-1800
Phone: 907-465-5066
Fax: 907-465-5245
TDD: 800-770-8973
Physical Location: 410 Willoughby