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Portland Airport Fire Training Pits

Summary Information
(last updated on: 1/6/2022 1:17:52 PM)
Site evaluation of historical fire training pits completed prior to 2003, with additional evalaution recommended by DEQ. Subsequent to this, additional investigation of the historical pits was completed by the Port of Portland, and both areas capped with, apparently, some contaminated material removal. No apparent DEQ engagement from 2003 to 2016. In 2016, DEQ Cleanup requested that the Port investigate the historical pits to determine whether perfluorinated compounds including PFOS and PFOA might have been released, as these compounds were present in fire-fighting foams historically used in this area. The Port has indicated that they will enter the VCP and complete requested investigation under a consent order. Development of the order is expected to start in late 2016. Investigation was begun in 2017 with collection of groundwater samples from the vicinity of the former pits. PFAS including PFOA and PFOS were detected well above risk-based screening values (EPA HA drinking water values). A site-wide assessment of AFFF use was completed in August 2017, and a more comprehensive work plan approved by DEQ in late August. Sampling included groundwater, soil, surface water, and sediment. PFAS were detected in soil, groundwater, and stormwater. After discussion, a work plan was submitted in April 2018 for further contaminant characterization. Work included sampling of wells located between the historical AFFF use areas and City of Portland wells located in the vicinity of I-205 (western wellfield). Results presented to DEQ in October 2018. The extent of PFAS in groundwater are better characterized, and not expected to pose a risk to City of Portland wellfield resources. Nevertheless, additional site work is warranted including installation and sampling of monitoring wells. In November 2018, DEQ approved a revised Additional Investigation Report for PFAS and a Work Plan for additional site characterization. As of May 2020, multiple phases of PFAS investigation (soil, groundwater, surface water, and stormwater) have been completed. Soil impacts are modest. Shallow groundwater contamination is extensive, but appears confined to the PDX property. Contaminated groundwater appears is discharging to stormwater ditches, some of which is discharging to Columbia Slough. PFAS RI pending as of January 2022.
General Site Information
Site: Portland Airport Fire Training Pits (ECSI Site ID: 3324) CERCLIS (EPA) Id
Project Manager: Daniel Hafley Investigative Status:Listed on the Confirmed Release List or Inventory
PM Phone: (503) 229-5417 NPL(National Priority Listing):No
Address: NW of airport terminal, adjacent to runway area Is this site an Orphan?No
Portland, 97218 Is this site a brownfield?No
County: MULTNOMAH Action Underway or Needed: REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION
Region: Northwest Region Click for more details ...  
Site Documents
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File NameCategory File Size MB Document Date Upload Date
PIA Request for PFC Analysis - September 2016.pdf Correspondence 0.0768 9/22/2016 11/27/2017
Response to DEQ Request for PFAs.pdf Correspondence 0.3356 12/17/2016 11/27/2017
Initial Port Response on PFAs.pdf Correspondence 0.0550 10/21/2016 11/27/2017
Signed Agreement and Cover.pdf Correspondence 1.0502 2/23/2017 11/27/2017
Reconnaissance Well Sampling Report for PFAs.pdf Reports 10.1816 6/20/2017 11/27/2017
Preliminary Assessment Aqueous Film-Forming Foam Use PDX 20170803.pdf Reports 4.7044 8/3/2017 12/22/2017
Phase II Fire Training Investigation Report.pdf Reports 19.9033 12/13/2017 12/22/2017
Additional Investigation Report - October 2018.pdf Reports 12.8315 10/5/2018 11/9/2018
April 2019 GW Monitoring Report.pdf Reports 22.3719 6/25/2019 7/11/2019
Q4 2019 GW Monitoring Report.pdf Reports 17.5962 1/16/2020 5/16/2020
Revised Final PDX Preliminary Assessment Addendum.pdf Reports 1.5529 5/11/2020 5/16/2020
PFAS Comprehensive Stormwater Results Report - November 2020.pdf Reports 7.2219 11/18/2020 11/24/2020
PDX 2012 Beneficial Use Report Part 1.pdf Reports 7.8584 12/12/2012 12/10/2020
PDX 2012 Beneficial Use Report Part 2.pdf Reports 24.6849 12/12/2012 12/10/2020
Third Quarter Fire Training GWMR.pdf Reports 12.9081 12/3/2020 12/10/2020
Revised PFAS Stormwater Results Report.pdf Reports 7.4285 12/20/2020 12/24/2020
Fourth Quarter 2020 Monitoring Report.pdf Reports 12.5679 3/12/2021 11/1/2021
Q1 2021 GW Monitoring Report.pdf Reports 15.1004 11/17/2021 12/16/2021
Revised Q4 2021 Groundwater Monitoring Report - abbrev.pdf Reports 9.1187 8/1/2022 8/11/2022
Investigation Work Plan Fire Training Facilities 20170829.pdf Work Plans 5.8904 8/30/2017 11/27/2017
Fire Training Reconnaissance Well Sampling Work Plan 20170413.pdf Work Plans 1.7565 4/13/2017 11/27/2017
Supplemental Investigation Work Plan April 2018.pdf Work Plans 4.9370 4/19/2018 11/9/2018
Revised Monitoring and Well Install WP - December 2021.pdf Work Plans 5.9393 12/9/2021 12/16/2021
Revised ORANG Reversion Area Utility Project 1200-CA EMP Submittal.pdf Work Plans 7.5643 12/29/2022 2/4/2023
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Department of Environmental Quality
700 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 600 Portland, OR 97232
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m

Email: DEQInfo@deq.state.or.us | Phone: 503-229-5696 | Fax: 503-229-6124

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