Heinz Salvage Yard

Site Narrative

The Native Village of Gakona requested DBAC services to conduct assessment activities on property owned by Ahtna where a neighbor had operated a salvage yard on his property and stored items on the Ahtna property without permission. The Native Village of Gakona and Ahtna plan for the property to be reused for subsistence and recreational activities. A report detailing the site history and past operations was completed in 2007. The Native Village of Gakona has removed a significant volume of debris from the site, including snow machines, vehicles, equipment, empty drums, scrap metal, etc.

In 2019, DEC conducted a survey of the property to ensure that property boundaries were identified. DEC conducted site characterization activities that identified soil contamination and groundwater impacts, as well as several drums containing unknown liquids. Additional characterization and cleanup are needed before the site can be reused.