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Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

Contaminated Sites Database

Cleanup Chronology Report for 
US Travel Systems, Former

File Number 102.26.046 Hazard ID 24310
SiteName US Travel Systems, Former Staff Tamara Cardona-Marek - 9074512192
Address 1 230 Old Steese Hwy; Status Active
Address 2 Landowner US Travel Systems Davidson Inc
City/State/Zip Fairbanks, AK 99701
Latitude 64.848620 Meridian
Longitude -147.703320 Range
Section Township
Institutional Controls Report No ICs exist for this site. Location View site on map

Problem/Comments Prior to 1983 two dispenser islands, five 4,000-gallon gasoline USTs and one 500-gallon waste oil UST were removed without documentation and sampling. The excavation was reportedly backfilled with clean gravel. From January 1995 to December 2003, an air sparge/soil vapor extraction (AS/SVE) system was operated to remediate soil and groundwater at the site. Chevron assumed environmental responsibility for the remaining soil and groundwater cleanup associated with the Texaco operations at the site in 2005.

Glossary/Acronyms
Action DateActionDescriptionDEC Staff
02/07/1992Leaking Underground Storage Tank Release Confirmed - PetroleumLUST Site created in CSP for source area ID 77735 ADD; Not Assigned, *
02/07/1992Site Added to Database Not Assigned, *
02/12/1992Underground Storage Tank Site Characterization or AssessmentSA1R; Not Assigned, *
02/28/1992Update or Other ActionRPS; Not Assigned, *
03/17/1992Update or Other ActionTECH; Spoke about site to lawyer for PRP.Not Assigned, *
03/19/1992Update or Other ActionTECH; Met w/property owner of USTravel Systems site. Explained/helped fillout UST Cleanup Grant Application package.Not Assigned, *
03/24/1992Update or Other ActionNOR; Letter sent to validate release. Requested release investigation & cleanup.Not Assigned, *
08/03/1992Update or Other ActionCORR; Thomas responded to attorney letter. Re: PRP liability.Not Assigned, *
08/28/1992Update or Other ActionUPD; Hung reviewed.Not Assigned, *
10/14/1992Update or Other ActionMEET; Thomas - met with property owner to discuss release investigation strategy.Not Assigned, *
10/26/1992Update or Other ActionCORR; Thomas - Summarized outline of release investigation requirements.Not Assigned, *
11/19/1992Underground Storage Tank Site Characterization or AssessmentSA1; Thomas - Received and reviewed draft proposal for SA/RI; approved w/4 conditions; requested revised draft, site is funded under UST FAP program.Not Assigned, *
11/19/1992Underground Storage Tank Site Characterization or AssessmentSA1R; Thomas - Reviewed and conditionally approved draft proposal.Not Assigned, *
02/16/1993Update or Other ActionMEET; THomas: met with J. Feist and S&W , reviewed and verbally approved modified work plan. Fianl version will be submitted next week.Not Assigned, *
03/15/1993Update or Other ActionCORR; Thomas gave final approval of modified release investigation plan.Not Assigned, *
03/22/1993Underground Storage Tank Site Characterization or AssessmentSA1; Thomas: S&W completed release investigation which included 7 borings, 4 of which were converted into MW's. Free product found in all wells ranging from sheen to 3.75" in DOT-MW. No waste oil constituents noted. Soils contaminated at varying levels in borings. Contamination more widespread than suspected. Hydraulic link to MAPCO unknown.Not Assigned, *
05/06/1993Release InvestigationRELR; Thomas reviewed and approved release investigation. Suggested completing GW elevations & analyses and begin developing corrective action strategy to include plume delineation, tank removal, product recovery (where feasable). Will await to receive summary of GW data and list of treatment alternatives.Not Assigned, *
05/26/1993Update or Other ActionMEET; Thomas met with Fiest/Davidson and S&W to discuss summary of Release investigation. ADEC suggested continuing collecting data on GW and begin a draft corrective action proposal. Final RI report will be submitted w/recommendation for cleanup. Talked with FAP people as well, to coordinate next year's funding request.Not Assigned, *
08/24/1993Update or Other ActionMEET; Thomas met with US Travel to discuss S&W's Corrective Action plan, schedule and cost. Thomas will offer full tech review and comment shortly. Conceptually, plan looks good.Not Assigned, *
08/24/1993Leaking Underground Storage Tank Corrective Action UnderwayCAPR; Thomas reviewed and conditionally approved CAP for site. Plan calls for 3 additional MWs, and an air sarg/VES treatment system in situ. Plan also includes removal of 1-3 suspected in-place USTs. Tanks to be removed Fall '93, VES to be designed winter 93-94 and pilot and fianl snatem tested and installed spring '94.Not Assigned, *
09/10/1993Leaking Underground Storage Tank Corrective Action UnderwayLCAR; Thomas reviewed and approved revised corrective action plan for ground water remediation. Modifications to original plan included manual free product recovery, a contingency for haz wastes removed from waste oil tank, tank decommissioning notice, a pilot test for the AS/VES system, and excluded a well search. Thomas approved work elements and schedule. Forwarded plan to UST FAP for fiscal approval.Not Assigned, *
01/14/1994Update or Other ActionRPL2; Peterson sent PRP-CS Database Notification Letter to RP requesting update and more environmental information. RP responded with completed information form.Not Assigned, *
06/06/1994Update or Other ActionCORR; Wingerter sent letter informing RP of their financial liability under new ADEC cost recovery policy. State is authorized, under Section 9003(h) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to take action on this LUST facility.Not Assigned, *
08/01/1994Leaking Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Initiated - PetroleumLCAU; Abandonned waste oil tank removed. AS/SVE system designed and installed. System should be on line by 2/95 to treat contaminated soil, ground water and free product.Not Assigned, *
08/24/1994Underground Storage Tank Site Characterization or AssessmentSA1R; Thomas reviewed SA for 500 gallon used oil tank. Approx. 6 yards of contaminated soils removed and stockpiled. Exploratory trench dug as well to try and locate another suspected UST. Not found. 15 yards of soil from trench were stockpiled. All soils were brought to OIT for incineration. Soils beneath tank below cleanup levels; waste oil tank closed. Cleanup will continue on the rest of the property under the FAP grant.Not Assigned, *
09/16/1994Leaking Underground Storage Tank Corrective Action UnderwayCAPR; Thomas reviewed CAP for AS/SVE. Made a number of design comments that were addressed in phone conference with Shannon & Wilson. Only outstanding issue is VOC emmissions. Plan conditionally approved. System should be installed soon.Not Assigned, *
09/27/1994Update or Other ActionCORR; Thomas sent correspondence to Alaska Environmental Specialists, stating that the Site Assessment information as provided is not adequate. Requested full SA/Tank closure/CAP within 30 days. Also spoke with AES that day and asked them to coordinate soil treatment with Kenai district. Plan as approved by ADEC not followed and therefore not approved.Not Assigned, *
10/03/1994Update or Other ActionCORR; Thomas sent final approval letter for CAP. Contingency stated that of VOC emmissions exceeded, ADEC will ask for immediate correction.Not Assigned, *
01/13/1995Update or Other ActionUPD; SITE SUMMARY: AS/SVE system by S&W about to go on line. Site has GW (product) in all corners of property. System should be operational shortly, afterwards, ADEC should receive quarterly ground water sample results. Watch for plume co-mingling from adjacent MAPCO station.Not Assigned, *
01/17/1996Leaking Underground Storage Tank Corrective Action UnderwayCAPR; Reviewed on-going CAP of SVE/Air Sparging & FA. Consulted w/RPCON on costs reduction. Decided to change schedule fr. quarterly to every 6 mos. for grd. water sampling effective 6/96. Wrote ltr. to RP/RPCON re-decision.Not Assigned, *
04/04/1997Long Term Monitoring EstablishedApproved RPCON's 12/12/96 work plan for FAP. Unable to reduce lab costs due to reg requirement.Not Assigned, *
11/20/1997Update or Other ActionADEC sends Notification of Intent to Cost Recover Letter to Current Owner: US TRAVEL SYSTEMS - DAVIDSON INCNot Assigned, *
12/01/1997Long Term Monitoring EstablishedApproved '98 wk pl for FAP. Modification of MW 1 (VEW1b) since grd water changed direction to more westerly than NW. DOT road widening Proj. spring '98 will jeopardize half of MW1 w/proposed VEW1b. Also affect AIW-3, MW5, AIW-5 & MW2.Not Assigned, *
10/14/1998Long Term Monitoring EstablishedReviewed FY '99 wk pl for FAP. Approved except for some reductions in sampling schedule. MWs 4, 5 & 6 once/yr as Benzene high, MWs 1, 2 & 3 twice/yr as MW1 new air sparge/SV wells installed, MW 4 analyze w/602/601/624 (MW 2 & 3 show nothing) & discharge air sampling 2 quarters instead of 4. Road proj. not started.Not Assigned, *
01/31/2001Update or Other ActionGroundwater monitoring report submitted. Event was scheduled for July 2000 but was postponed due to dewatering in the Old Steese Highway. Samples were collected from MW-2 and MW-3 on November 17. The rest of the samples were collected on December 1 following construction of the sewer line in the Old Steese. Seven wells contained benzene above cleanup levels; the maximum concentration was 1,010 ppb (in MW-3). EDB was detected in MW-4.Wiegers, Janice
01/23/2002Report or Workplan Review - OtherSummary report submitted under Grant 15274231. Conceptual Site Model included in report. On-site indoor air and excavation/trench workers identified as primary receptors.Wiegers, Janice
01/24/2002Update or Other ActionGroundwater monitoring and well point installation report submitted. Groundwater samples and two slough samples were collected on July 30. Eight well points were installed on Santina's Flowers and Burger King properties and sampled on September 6 and 7. Benzene exceeded cleanup levels in MW-4 and MW-7 with a maximum concentration of 26.1 ppb in MW-4. Benzene exceeded cleanup levels in all well points except WP-1, with a maximum concentration of 520 ppb in WP-7. PCE exceeded cleanup levels in WP-6, but was attributed to a separate source. Slough water samples were collected in two places - no contaminants detected.Wiegers, Janice
04/05/2002Update or Other ActionGroundwater monitoring report submitted. Samples collected on February 22. Benzene exceeded cleanup levels in MW-3 and MW-6, with a maximum concentration of 1,700 ppb. In general, samples collected without purging. A sample collected at MW-3 with purging contained approximately 2x the benzene concentration as the no-purge sample. Slough contained 1.5 feet of ice and was not sampled.Wiegers, Janice
01/17/2003Update or Other ActionGroundwater monitoring and slough sampling report submitted. Samples collected August 19 and 20. Maximum benzene concentration (280 ppb) in new off-site well MW-9. Maximum GRO (3.4 ppm) in MW-4. Solvents detected below cleanup levels in MW-9. Geochemical analysis of the groundwater suggests not enough oxidants present to biodegrade observed GRO concentrations.Wiegers, Janice
01/23/2003Update or Other ActionRelease investigation and CSM report submitted. MW-9 and MW-10 were installed. The system continues to remove VOCs, but appears to hve reached limits of effectiveness. However, benzene levels have fluctuated up to 1,700 ppb during recent groundwater sampling.Wiegers, Janice
05/20/2003Report or Workplan Review - OtherSystem performance report submitted. Evaluated system performance and conclude that GRO and benzene are dissolving into the groundwater from outside the radius of influence of the treatment wells. Cost of additional treatment wells may not be cost-effective. Enhanced bioremediation approach is planned for this site as a polishing step.Wiegers, Janice
10/27/2003Update or Other ActionBioremediation treatability study report submitted. No significant effects were found during bench-scale testing for adding nitrogen amendments. Nitrogen amendments not recommended.Wiegers, Janice
11/24/2003Update or Other ActionSemiannual groundwater monitoring report submitted.Wiegers, Janice
01/14/2004Update or Other ActionChevronTexaco responds to PRP letter accepting responsibility for the contamination. Chevron will submit a plan to further evaluate the extent of impacted groundwater and to enhance the remediation system by the second quarter of 2005.Wiegers, Janice
03/05/2004Report or Workplan Review - OtherADEC approves workplan for Indoor Air Quality assessment of the office building at 230 Old Steese.Wiegers, Janice
04/07/2004Update or Other ActionIndoor air quality assessment plan submitted. Use of commercial exposure parameters proposed. DEC approves with use of more stringent parameters.Wiegers, Janice
06/14/2004Update or Other ActionIndoor air quality assessment submitted. A limited ventilation and airflow evaluation was completed. Two indoor air and one outdoor air samples were collected in April and again in May. BTEX levels were below the DEC acceptable risk level but above the level typically used to indicate monitoring is needed. There was indication that contaminants could be from outdoor air.Wiegers, Janice
06/14/2004Update or Other ActionSummary report for indoor air assessment submitted. Summarized indoor air data for all constituents tested.Wiegers, Janice
06/14/2004Update or Other ActionRequest for NFRAP submitted.Wiegers, Janice
06/14/2004Report or Workplan Review - OtherReport describing injection of oxygen releasing compound submitted. ORC was injected into 15 soil boring at 17 feet bgs in the former tank and dispenser island locations. Borings were space approximately 10 feet apart. ORC was also injected into sparge wells AIW-4, AIW-5, AIW-6, AIW-7, and AIW-8. Repairs to the sparge wells will be needed if the system is restarted.Wiegers, Janice
10/14/2004Update or Other ActionPRP letter sent to ChevronTexaco following a meeting with the current landowners. Texaco was identified as the owners and operators of the USTs that resulted in the release. According to Mr. Davidson, he never operated the gas station and removed the USTs after buying the property.Wiegers, Janice
08/15/2005Update or Other ActionOasis submits groundwater monitoring report on behalf of ChevronTexaco. Tested for GRO and VOCs. EDB also tested with Method 504 in MW-4 and MW-8. MW-1, MW-2, MW-3, MW-4, MW-6, and MW-7 contained contaminant levels above the MCL. EDB was observed above the cleanup levels in MW-4 and MW-6. 1,2-DCA exceeded cleanup levels in MW-4. Based on previous discussions with Secor, ChevronTexaco plans to conduct several monitoring events to evaluate the groundwater quality after the system was shutdown before deciding what further action to take.Wiegers, Janice
12/19/2005Report or Workplan Review - OtherOasis submits groundwater monitoring report for October sampling. Wells were resurveyed - groundwater flow direction was similar to historical directions. However, gradient may steepen near the slough. Contaminants were found in all nine wells sampled with the highest concentations in MW-4 and MW-6. VOCs and EDB (method 8011) were tested in select wells. EDB was the only analyte found above groundwater cleanup levels (in MW-4).Wiegers, Janice
06/29/2006Update or Other ActionDave Mongold is a prospective purchaser of the property and has hired an attorney, James DeWitt to inquire about liability issues with purchasing the property.Williams, Deborah
08/08/2006Update or Other ActionADEC received BBL's First Semi-Annual 2006 Groundwater Monitoring Report. GRO levels were detected in eight of the nine samples with concentrations ranging from 25 ug/L (MW-8) to 32,000 ug/L (MW-2 and MW-6). Benzene was detected in eight of the nine samples at concentrations ranging from 5.7 ug/L (MW-7) to 2,300 ug/L (MW-4). EDB was analyzed for in MW-1, MW-2, MW-3, MW-4, and MW-8. EDB was detected in samples above ADEC cleanup levels from MW-4 at 0.18 ug/L. Groundwater from MW-2 and MW-3 were analyzed for eight RCRA metals. Arsenic and lead was found above ADEC cleanup levels in both wells.Williams, Deborah
12/04/2006Report or Workplan Review - OtherADEC reviewed the Second Semi-Annual 2006 Groundwater Monitoring Report for the US Travel site. GRO levels ranged from non-detect to 19,000 ppb, DRO ranged from 47 ppb to 5,000 ppb, and bezene ranged from 1 ppb to 1,600 ppb. MW-2 and MW-3 were sampled and analyzed for VOCs, metals, EDB and PAHs and they all met ADEC cleanup levels.Williams, Deborah
12/28/2006Report or Workplan Review - OtherADEC received BBL's report entitled Additional Soil Characterization Report for the Former Texaco 21-1083 LUST site located at 230 Old Steese Highway. A Ground Penetrating Radar and Electromagnetic Survey was completed at the site. Also, 16 membrane interface probe (MIP) borings were completed and advanced to depths of up to 21-feet bgs. The MIP cross-sections showed that generally the VOCs are located in the smear zone from approximately 10-ft to 15-ft bgs or are associated with the impacted groundwater. MIP-16 which was located in the former north dispenser island had VOCs detected at depths as shallow as 8.5-feet bgs. Three confirmational borings were completed and co-located with a MIP boring. Confirmational soil samples were collected from the borings at 5-feet intervals. The laboratory analytical data confirm the MIP data. BBL concluded that the additional soil delineation showed hydrocarbon impact in the smear zone with the exception of the former north dispenser island area. They recommend that Anomaly A be further investigated to determine whether a UST is present or the anomaly was caused by impacted soil.Williams, Deborah
03/13/2007Exposure Tracking Model RankingInitial ranking completed.Williams, Deborah
06/06/2007Leaking Underground Storage Tank Corrective Action UnderwayADEC received and approved the ARCADIS BBLES Remediation Workplan, Former Chevron 211083, Fairbanks, Alaska dated May 17, 2007. Remediation workplan includes installation of 11 soil borings to be used as air sparge wells and 7 soil borings to be used as soil vapor extraction wells.Cardona-Marek, Tamara
06/08/2007Update or Other ActionADEC received ARCADIS BBLES First Semi-annual 2007 Groundwater Monitoring Report for the Former Chevron Facility 211083 site. According to the report, the analytical results of the March 2007 groundwater sampling event are consistent with previous events. During the monitoring event, concentrations of GRO, DRO, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, arsenic and lead were greater than the applicable ADEC groundwater cleanup levels in at least one groundwater sample.Williams, Deborah
12/10/2007Update or Other ActionADEC received ARCADIS BBLES First Semi-annual 2007 Groundwater Monitoring Report for the Former Chevron Facility 211083 site. According to the report, the analytical results of the March 2007 groundwater sampling event are consistent with previous events. During the monitoring event, concentrations of GRO, DRO, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and EDB were greater than the applicable ADEC groundwater cleanup levels in at least one groundwater sample. EDB was detected in wells MW-4 and MW-6. Lead and arsenic did not exceed cleanup levels. ARCADIS recommends eliminating EDB sampling from wells MW1, MW2, MW3, MW7, MW8, MW9, and MW10. DEC approves eliminating EDB sampling from wells MW-1, MW-2, MW-7, MW-8 and MW-10.Cardona-Marek, Tamara
02/05/2008Update or Other ActionDEC received the ARCADIS Remediation Systemn Installation Report.Cardona-Marek, Tamara
06/25/2008Update or Other ActionADEC received the First Semi Annual 2008 Groundwater Monitoring Report for the former US Travel Site. Results are consistent with previous monitoring events. DRO, GRO, BTEX, EDB and lead exceeded the applicable GCL in at least two monitoring wells. New AS/SVE system was installed and began operating shortly after this monitoring event (4/9/2008).Cardona-Marek, Tamara
12/24/2008Update or Other ActionADEC received the 2008 Second Semi-Annual groundwater Monitoring Report for the US Travel site. DRO, GRO and BTEX has decreased from previous sampling event in wells MW-1, MW-4 and MW-6. Well MW-3 could not be sampled. Contaminants in well MW-5 maintained concentrations similar to previous sampling events. AS/SVE system has been working since April 2008. Cardona-Marek, Tamara
03/13/2009Meeting or Teleconference HeldADEC dicussed with Chevron and Arcadis the status of the site. AS/SVE system will continue to operate on the site. Arcadis will submit graphs and plume maps to show progress over time as part of the current year's tasks. Cardona-Marek, Tamara
06/08/2009Update or Other ActionDEC received the First Quarter 2009 Remediation System Operation and Maintenance Report for the US Travel Site. System was operational for ablmost 100% of the planned operational period. No benzene detected in the air effluent samples. 39 pounds of GRO were removed during this reporting period. Cardona-Marek, Tamara
06/09/2009Update or Other ActionDEC received sample results from purge water and request for approval to transport through Emerald to Anchorage for disposal. DEC granted approval. Cardona-Marek, Tamara
06/30/2009Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal ApprovedApproval granted for disposal of 6 55 gal drums of soil originating from site. No contaminants above cleanup levels detected in composite samples. Cardona-Marek, Tamara