SWMU 61 - Tank Farm B Petroleum Site

Background
Tank Farm B was a bulk fuel storage area that consisted of 40 underground storage tanks (USTs) and 2 field-constructed tanks. Investigations began in 1992. Petroleum hydrocarbons were detected in soil and groundwater at concentrations exceeding state cleanup levels.

The OU A Record of Decision (ROD) identified monitored natural attenuation (MNA) and institutional controls (ICs) as the selected remedy for this site in 2000. Natural attenuation monitoring has been reduced as the endpoint criteria were met in several wells.

Identified Contaminants
Petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater

Click here to display the data table.

Current Actions
The Navy maintains and inspects ICs annually. The Navy conducts natural attenuation monitoring at three wells annually. At the request of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (Alaska DEC), the Navy also monitors total aromatic hydrocarbons and total aqueous hydrocarbons to protect surface water. The Navy is evaluating alternatives to mitigate the potential for petroleum hydrocarbons in groundwater to migrate to North Sweeper Creek.

Petroleum Institutional Controls

Equitable Servitude

Groundwater Restrictions
Domestic use of groundwater in the Downtown Area is restricted because of the potential presence of petroleum compounds and other chemicals in the groundwater. Domestic groundwater use is defined as that used by households or transients for human and animal consumption, cooking, bathing, showering, gardening, irrigation, or use on consumable food products, watering animals and any other domestic use. The excavation notification program at individual sites provides one barrier to drilling; enforcement of the prohibition will also occur through periodic visual inspections. The visual inspections will focus on unauthorized wells in the restricted area. Groundwater use restrictions are included in the equitable servitude.

Inspections and Reporting
The ICs identified in this plan will be inspected and reported on an annual basis, or as necessary. Annual site inspection reports will present the results of inspections. The annual reporting requirements will be included in CERCLA 5-year reviews.

Land Use Restrictions
Commercial and industrial land uses and continuing residential land uses where housing exists in the Downtown Area are permitted in accordance with the Interim Conveyance document. Residential housing is allowed in existing housing units located at Amulet Housing, Arctic Acres Housing and SWMU 62. Future residential housing construction will be evaluated for impacts to ongoing petroleum cleanup activities.

Soil Excavation Restrictions
Soil excavation notifications are required for all the Downtown Area Petroleum sites with ICs. The excavation notifications will be required for each proposed excavation below 2 feet. The notifications will be evaluated to determine whether a proposed project at an IC site is consistent with the land use restrictions. The notifications are an additional tool for the Navy to receive timely information (in the absence of local zoning requirements) to monitor land use restrictions.

Petroleum Engineering Controls

Fencing and Gates

Land Use Control and Ordnance Hazard Signs

Other Engineering Controls
Other engineering controls include landfill caps (CERCLA sites), free-product recovery wells (SAERA sites), and free-product recovery trenches (SAERA sites).

swmu 61 survey