Infrastructure Removal & Release Investigation, Bethel, Alaska

Brice performed a release investigation, remedial action, and infrastructure removal at 10 sites for the Federal Aviation Administration in Bethel, Alaska. Three sites were located in the City of Bethel, and seven sites were located two miles southeast of the city across the Kuskokwim Airport near the former Bethel Airport. The project objectives were to confirm the presence or absence of contamination from releases of debris, fuels, and other substances associated with historic FAA operations and infrastructure, to remove debris and infrastructure, and to perform a limited removal action of 185 drums of hazardous waste.

Brice located 185 drums at the former Bethel Airport, collected waste characterization samples, and identified the drum contents as hazardous waste. We removed and disposed of all 185 drums and approximately 42 cy of incidental material and soil.

We removed 17 cy of ACM soil and debris and transported the material to a permitted facility for disposal. Following confirmation sampling, we disassembled the Asphalt Batch Plant from where we removed and disposed of 20 cy of debris and asphalt, and recycled 20 cy of metal. Brice also abated the LMM building. All associated materials were removed and disposed of or recycled.

The project crossed four native allotments requiring permits from each landowner. Many of the original landowners were deceased, so Brice used in-region contacts at Calista Corporation to identify and locate the next of kin to obtain the proper permissions for crossing.

Two of the projects sites were located over 4 miles from the city of Bethel and required travel across the Kuskokwim River, sloughs, wetlands, and other environmentally sensitive areas. However, shifting river channels made site access extremely difficult. The safest and most cost-effective option was to transport all equipment and materials by landing craft up the Napaskiak Slough, during high water and with favorable winds, both of which are infrequent occurrences. Brice partnered with a local company owned by a lifelong Bethel resident to safely execute travel up a slough that had not be traversed by watercraft in at least 50 years.