C AR L O S P O W E R P L AN T S I T E C L E AN U P
INTRODUCTION
The Carlos Power Plant provided the power for telemetry stations
located on Ennylabegan (also known as Carlos) Island. As of
October 2011, the power plant on Carlos was no longer
operational. There are two 10,000-gallon aboveground storage
tanks at Facility Number (FN) 6006 that contained diesel fuel
during plant operation. The current tanks were installed in 2006 to
replace the original tanks used for the same purpose. The diesel
tanks are connected to a fuel line that runs from the pier area to
the tanks and from the tanks to the power plant.
The power plant, diesel tanks, and associated fuel lines are no
longer in use and there are currently no plans for additional
construction.
Diesel fuel storage tanks (FN 6006) at the Carlos Power Plant
In June 2015, additional soil samples were collected around the
tanks to further define the extent of contamination. The samples
collected during this supplemental investigation encircled the
locations of the original investigation that had elevated
contamination levels. The supplemental investigation confirmed
that the contamination originates from the diesel fuel storage
tanks, and has stayed relatively near to the source area.
Ennylabegan (Carlos) Island and Power Plant Location
CONTAMINATION NATURE AND EXTENT
A site investigation was conducted at the Carlos Power Plant in
2011. During the site investigation, a surface spill of diesel fuel
was identified near the diesel storage tanks. Contaminants of
concern include diesel in soil and groundwater. Sampling indicated
that the contamination centers on the two storage tanks at FN
6006.
Groundwater sampling and laboratory analysis indicated that
contaminants were also present above screening criteria in
groundwater. Though contaminants were detected in groundwater,
this media does not require direct removal efforts and should be
remediated by the soil removal effort. The groundwater on Carlos
Island is not used as a water source due to its poor quality and
relative lack of abundance. Water quality measurements
performed during groundwater sampling indicate that the water is
brackish, containing dissolved salts at approximately 3-4 times the
upper limit for drinking water. Therefore, the groundwater on
Carlos is not suitable for drinking water purposes.
The soil remediation on Carlos is considered important to reduce
contaminant concentrations to levels that will protect human health
and the environment.
Carlos Power Plant Study Area Location
CLEANUP APPROACH
The scope of the removal action at the Carlos Power Plant site
includes remediation of the petroleum contaminated soil and
groundwater. The recommended cleanup approach consists of insitu enhanced bioremediation supplemented by land farming, if
necessary.
In-situ remediation will consist of enhanced bioremediation by
adding nutrients and oxygen releasing compounds to the site soils
to promote bacterial growth. Nutrients will be added to the site
soils either through mixing at the surface or injection using a drill
rig, or similar. With the addition of these nutrients, the naturallyoccurring bacteria in the soil and groundwater on Carlos will be
able to break down the petroleum contamination to below cleanup
levels.
Example of soil excavation at a different site on Kwajalein Island
Example of heavy-duty bags (Supersacks) at a different site on Kwajalein holding the
excavated soil for safe and secure transportation
SITE INFORMATION REPOSITORIES
The Carlos Power Plant Site Removal Action Memorandum is
currently available for public review at the following locations:
This method can efficiently reduce the remaining contamination
without requiring the additional costs, transport, and space
requirements associated with excavating and land farming large
amount of soil on Kwajalein. However, if areas of high
concentrations are determined to be resistant to enhanced
bioremediation, they may be excavated to be treated in a land
farm cell, either on Carlos or on Kwajalein.
If soil removal is determined to be necessary, the excavation area
and heavy equipment used on Carlos will be fenced off to protect
residents. Plastic liners will be used underneath the removed soil
to prevent spreading contamination to the ground surface during
the excavation activities.
•
U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll Grace Sherwood Public Library
(on Kwajalein)
•
U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll Roi-Namur Library (on RoiNamur)
•
Republic of the Marshall Islands Environmental Protection
Authority Office (on Majuro)
•
Republic of the Marshall Islands Environmental Protection
Authority Office (on Ebeye)
Computer users with internet access can download documents
and information related to the cleanup activities at the U.S. Army
Kwajalein Atoll Cleanup website (www.usagkacleanup.info).
Questions about the site cleanup plan can be directed by phone to
Nikki Maxwell, USAG-KA Public Affairs Office, (805) 355-4848.
Transportation option for excavated soils from Carlos to the Kwajalein Landfarm
After the in-situ enhanced bioremediation efforts are initiated,
quarterly monitoring will be performed for two years. If in-situ
remediation is incomplete, annual monitoring will be performed for
three more years, followed by a 5-year review and report to
document the reduction of contamination on-site. If areas of highly
contaminated soils are shown to be resistant to in-situ treatment,
they may be excavated for ex-situ land farming to shorten the time
to complete the remediation.
The soil remediation action is planned for mid to late 2016.
Written comments on the Carlos Power Plant Site Removal Action
Memorandum can be made one of three ways:
1) Through the www.usagkacleanup.info comment portal for
the Carlos Power Plant Site Removal Action Memorandum
document, or
2) Emailed to comments@usagkacleanup.info, or
3) Mailed to Derek Miller; Attn: Carlos Power Plant Site
Removal Action Memorandum Comments: USAG-KA DPW,
CMR 701, Building 730, 96555-9998.
All comments must be received by 16 October 2016.