ADL 422279 Public Notice of Preliminary Decision: Moose Creek PFAS plume USAF request to restrict land use on state-owned parcels

Public NoticeADL 422279Air Force Civil Engineer Center-Eielson Air Force BaseRestricted Use AuthorizationDATE: April 15, 2024In accordance with AS 38.05.020 and AS 38.05.035, the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water (DMLW), Statewide Abatement of Impaired Land (SAIL) Section has issued a preliminary decision to consent to interim Activity and Use Limitations (AULs) ), or Institutional Controls (ICs) that include land use controls (LUCs), via DNR’s signature on an Environmental Covenant, and to issue a Restricted Use Authorization (RUA) allowing for inspection and maintenance of the LUCs. The RUA is drafted for a perpetual term and would authorize access on 788.5 acres more of less of state-owned lands adjacent to the northern boundary of Eielson Air Force Base approximately 21 miles southeast of Fairbanks, and 7 miles southeast of the City of North Pole.The purpose of the request is to protect human health and the environment by prohibiting the use of

and exposure to contaminated groundwater containing Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) until the Final Record of Decision (ROD) is signed.The following are the proposed AULs:A. Restricted Access and Use of Groundwater – Except as required as part of an EPA, DEC, or USAF approved response activity, any drilling, boring, or other construction or use of a well for the purpose of extracting water for any purpose other than groundwater quality monitoring or groundwater remediation, including but not limited to, domestic, potable, or industrial uses, is prohibited on the Property.B. Restricted Use of Groundwater – Contaminated water may not be pumped, drained, dewatered, used for irrigation, dust control, or any other purpose on or off the site without prior DEC approval of exemption from this Activity and Use Limitation, and may be subject to treatment, monitoring, or disposal requirements including obtaining any applicable permits.C. Remedial Measures and Equipment Preservation – Except as specifically authorized in writing by DEC, all uses and development of the Property shall preserve the integrity of any remedial measures, remedial equipment, and groundwater monitoring wells or systems.The USAF will be responsible for implementing, maintaining, monitoring, and reporting of AULs on the site.Public notice of this preliminary written decision will be posted on the Alaska Public Notice System website for 30 calendar days. The public may provide written comments to DMLW during that time. Additionally, notice of this preliminary decision will be given to adjacent landowners. The North Pole post office will also be requested to post the notice of this preliminary decision. The public is invited to comment on this preliminary decision. Written comments must be received by DNR no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 14, 2024. All comments must be submitted to: DNR, Division of Mining, Land and Water, Statewide Abatement of Impaired Land Section by mail at 3700 Airport Way Fairbanks, AK 99709, or by electronic mail to alyssa.millard@alaska.gov in order to ensure consideration. Please include your mailing address and telephone contact. In order to establish reconsideration rights regarding this decision, you are required by law to meaningfully participate in the decision process by commenting on the decision, in writing, prior to the comment deadline. Following the deadline, all timely written comments will be considered, and DNR may modify this decision based on public comments received. The names of commenters and comments received will be part of the public record. If DNR determines that public comments in response to this notice indicate the need for significant changes to the decision, additional public notice will be given. If no significant changes are required, the preliminary decision, after any necessary minor changes, will be issued as a final decision. A copy of the final decision, along with instructions on filing a reconsideration request, will be sent to all persons who comment on the preliminary decision. Persons who do not submit written comments during the comment period will have no legal right to request reconsideration of the final decision. DNR-DMLW complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services, or special modifications to comment should contact Alaska Relay at 711 or 800-770-8973 for TTY services. The Division of Mining, Land and Water reserves the right to waive technical defects in this publication.