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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHIGHLAND TERRACE #4 Resub Tract 6 S-7892 MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Environmental Health Division CASE REVIEW WORKSHEET CASE NUMBER: S-7892 DATE RECEIVED: October 9, 1984 COMMENTS DUE BY: SUBDIVISION OR PROJECT TITLE: Lots 6C-1, 6C-2 Highland Terrace Subdivision ~4 ) PUBLIC WATER AVAILABLE (/ ~ ) PUBLIC SEWER AVAILABLE ,i ICOMMUN'T WATERAVA"ABLE 1997) SOIL LOG PERCOLATION TEST SOIL LOG -: .: PE RCOL~IION TEST BEDROOMS 20~ T,~,c d_,T-' / ~ <,:"-'- "-" SLOPE i i I! Iz [/ PE RCOL~TJON' RiTE SiTE PLAN [] 'SOILS LO(3 PERFORMED FOR: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 4 7 8 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAl PROTECTION 825 L, Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99501 264~i720 [] PERCOLATION TEST SOILS LOG - PERCOLATION TEST - ¢_ PLAN WAS ~.~OUND WATER I~ YES, AT WHAT Reading Data Time Th~.e w~,or Drop :. Or..~(4,.Ii g ,',,~,: :......¢¥ ~, fa~ , Na. 1457'~ .. (.~de '~2..,. ,.,-' a~ ~X ......... ~ ~ .. PER00~TION RATE Iminute~/in6h~ ,: ;,:.d TEST B Z FT AND & ENGINEERS, INC. SOIL LOG ¢¢/z. ..¢ PERDOLAT,O. ,t:~ o..o ~[,,,A,..,OH'~'A~ P E R C 0 LAII 0 N T E S T ~ ANCHORAGE. ALASKA 99502 (907) 349.6561 SLOPE SITE PLAN · 0 ' ! Gross Net Depth to Nel Reading Date Time Time Water Drop ' ~ ~ ~,~ ~ I" 14-- 15-- 164 17-- 18-- 19-- 20-- L__ "~ ,~ I/'~ (minules/inch) DEPTH PERCOLATION RATE (FEET) \ TEST RUN BI:~NEEN 4 I.{__ FT AND '~L,~. FT p~om,:~u .Y ~1_~1¢,TC~ CERTIFIED BY: ............ DATE .__ POU 6~650 ANC,>-O;qAGE,,:~,_,~,o TM "-'4-..,.. 9flS02~O65.0 DEPARTMENT OF '.dEALFH AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION November 8, 1984 John J. Cowdery State House of Representatives P.O. Box 10-1623 Anchorage, Alaska 99511 Dear Rep. Cowdery: Thank you for your letter about Eagle River contamination and the copy of the comprehensive report by Knik Kanoers and Kayakers. We too are concerned about the fecal coliform and heavy metal contamination not only of Eagle River but also of Chester Creek, Campbell Creek, and Little Campbell Creek. Contamination of the latter three together with Campbell Lake and Westchester Lagoon was found in a recently released 1981-82 study by the Juneau laboratory of the State Department of Environmental Quality. We are very concerned about these major pollution problems and are retesting several streams Just now. We will report to you further about these waterways as well as the Eagle River problem. It may interest you to know that the Municipality of Anchorage Department of Health and Environmental Protection gets no subsidy from the State Department of Environmental Conservation to do water quality work including stream and lake cleanup even though DEC is responsible for this on a state-wide basis. The Department of Health and Social Services perennially grants Anchorage $800,000-900,000 for community health nursing is lieu of supplying state public health nurses for Anchorage, but DEC does not furnish Anchorage money for sani- tation, as it does for the rest of the state. Sincerely yours, Rodman Wilson, MD. Director Department of Health and Environmental Protection cc Bob Smith, Municipal Manager Robbie Robinson, DHEP, Environmental Health Division RW1/re/d4 COMMITTEES OIL & GAS--(CO.CHAIR) STATE OF AFFAIRS--(VICE-CHAIR) LABOR & COMMERCE RESOURCES REPRESENTATIVE JOHN J, COWDERY DISTRICT EIGHT ANCHORAGE P.O. 8OX 10-1623 ANCHORAGE, AK 99511 (907) 344-0950 JUNEAU POUCH V JUNEAU, AK 99811 (907) 465-4905 465-4906 October 29, 198q Anchorage, Alaska Dr. Roci~qn Wilson Director of Health and Environmental Protection Municipality of Anchorage Pouch 6-650 Anclnorage, Alaska 99502-0650 Dear Dr. Wilson: I am writing to you and Corrmissioner Neve' regarding the enclosed letter pertainin9 to sewage contamination of the Eagle River. I view with serious concerns the findiPcjs of Mr. Richardson and his group. The data they obtained indicate a high concentration of fecal coliform bacteria in a stream that is widely used by large nt~bers of people. That 'tine highest concentration of bacteria was found in tt~e vicinity of the picnic grounds is particularly alarming; as this shallow stream is readily accessible to youn9 children. It appears suggestions of the I<nik Kanoers and I<ayakers regarding the sewage outfall from the HilandMountain Corrections Facility and the nearby Municipal treatment plant have a great deal of merit, and should be fully explored. Your consideration in this regard is greatly appreciated. Sine rel~A p e~entative John Cowdery District 10 enclosures: Richardson letter Water qual i ty study EAGLE RIVER WATER QUALITY: POTENTIAL PROBLEM FOR RECREATIONAL BOATERS by Knik Kanoera and Kayakera, Inc. AuBust 30, 1984 Introduction Knik Kanoers and Kayakers, Inc., believes that water quality in the Eagle River has recently begun to diminish. Preliminary indications of this problem were based on our observations of sewage odor at various sites on the river this summer, and on the occurrence of ear infections among several of club members who had paddled the river. Over the past several weeks, we have investigated Eagle River water quality and collected information on sewage disposal in Eagle River. The source of the problem ia unknown at present, but we noted several potential sources during the course of our investigation. The Knik Kanoers and Kayakers, Inc., represents perhaps the largest single group of Eagle River users. The club has a membership of approximately 350 :families, most of whom boat on the river. In addition to club members, many other residents o£ Anchorage and southcentral Alaska float the river. In addition~ two commercial raft companies conduct river outings £or the general public, and two other companies rent canoes and provide shuttle service on the river. The Eagle is paddled virtually every day from late April until freeze-up in October and . November. It is probably the state's most heavily used boating stream, with the possible exception of Campbell Creek. As Anchorege's only full-fledged river, the Eagle provides a delightful recreational experience. It has stretches of water that are excellent for beginners in open canoes and others of modest ability, as well as whitewater reaches to challenge the more experienced or adventuresome paddler. It is also the site of annual ~lalom and downriver races, hosted by Knik Kanoers and Kayakers, that draw both participants and spectators from as far away as Fairbanks and Valdez. Recreational use of Eagle River will undoubtedly increase in the future as the population of Anchorage and aouthcentral Alaska grows. Knik Kanoers and Kayakers, Inc., fully supports the Municipality of Anchorage in securing public access to the river and retaining greenbelts along its banks, through the North Anchorage Land Agmeement, the greenbelt ordinance, or other methods. We feel that maintaining or restoring the water quality of this highly valuable resource should be a matter of the highest priority for the Municipality and for the State of Alaska. Examination of the Problem Throughout the summer of 1984, Knik Kanoers and Kayakers running Eagle River have encountered sewage odors. Both the location and intensity of the odor problem have varied widely, but the two most prominent trouble spots have been the Glenn Highway bridge crossing and a point about half a mile below the bridge. After this phenomenon had persisted for many weeks, two specific events finally prompted our inquiry into the river's current water quality. On August 1, several boaters reported an exceptionally foul sewage odor within the Eagle River Campground area. The odor persisted for several miles downstream. During this same period of the summer, three kayakers suffered inner ear infections after boating the river. Their physicians confirmed that the infections could have been caused by coliform bacteria in }Eagle River, although these bacteria could not be proven as the source. Club members began testin9 the river water for coliform and also began diecuseions with representatives of the Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. We toured the water treatment plant at Eagle River to see for ourselves whether it was the source of the problems we had noted, and to learn more about water quality and sewage treatment generally. The staff at the Eagle River facility were open and informative, helping us to sample the affluent from the plant as well as other portions of the river. After our sample results were analyzed, we met with the Regional Supervisor of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to evaluate our findings. Results of ~R~!!]9 The results of our sampling are shown in the attached figures. The map portrays the sampling sites and the graph shows a "river profile" of the incidence of fecal coliform bacteria. We do not suggest that one sample is valid scientific evidence of day-to- day water quality. However, the Regional Director of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation did agree that our results indicated the existence of a water quality problem on the Eagle River. The 9raph shows that fecal coliform are encountered above the Eagle River Campground. The count rises progressively to a point ~straam from the effluent discharge point for the Hiland Mountain Correctional Center. The count for the effluent from that facility was 98 coliform bacteria per 100 ml., with a tally of 59 per 100 ml. in the river 3ust below the outfall. (Unfortunately, in addition to its use by recreational boaters, this site is ad3acent to the campground's picnic shelter, and because it is shallow water it is commonly used by children for wading and playing.) Farther downriver, the effluent from the Eagle River wastewater facility wee sampled to contain 11 coliform per 100 ml., with a site a quarter mile downstream showing only 4 coliform per 100 These data suggest two areas o£ immediate concern. One is the e££1usnt from the Hiland Mountain Correctional Center. Our investigation indicates that that is a very poorly designed and E~tular basis. When a mal£unction occurs, picnickers and river users have no way to know that the facility's e~fluent may have made the river water unsafe. The data also suggest pollution sources ~9!~ the effluent discharge point. ]~epresentatives from the Alaska Department o£ Environmental Conservation were unable to say where this pollution might be coming from~ and felt that a detailed investigation would be necessary to pinpoint it. Potential sources include other effluent discharges from the correctional facility or a nearby fire station, toilet facilities at the state park campground itself, or other septic fields. Recommendations 1) We feel that a detailed water quality study for Eagle River ia urgent to fully understand the problems involved. This may require a cooperative effort by the Municipality and the State of Alaska. 2) We believe that sewage treatment at the Hiland Mountain Correctional Center has attained the status of a known offender. It is inappropriate for a poorly designed, operated, and monitored facility to discharge sewage wastes into a heavily used recreational river within a state park. This situation presents a health hazard to all users of the site, not merely to kayakers, canoeists and rafters. One solution might be to pipe the waste or effluent from the institution to the Eagle River municipal wastewater facility. 3) Sources o~ sewage discharge into the river, in addition to the one discussad above, need to be eliminated as soon as they have been identified. As more development occurs within the watershed, it will. become necessary to monitor and control septic fields, street drainage, and other potential sources of pollution into the river in order to maintain water quality. 4) We are fully convinced that the Eagle River sewage treatment facility is well run and operates within standards. The odor problem that occurred this summer is being corrected. We do feel, however, given the nature of full-contact river use and probable increases in the number of recreationists in the future, that it may be appropriate to purify the sewage discharge ~ZgB~ the minimum standards set by regulation. This would provide benefits in the form of aesthetic en3oyment for Eagle River recreationists, who would be asmured the river had been returned to a more pristine condition. In addition, it is a reality that sewage processing plants sometimes malfunction. Higher effluent standards would provide more of a buffer to protect downstream users against health hazards when such malfunctions occur. Knik Kanoers and Kayakers, Inc., would be pleased to work with the Municipality in seeking long-term solutions that will assure the maintenance of high water quality in the Eagle River, both £or our £ellow river users and ~or Anchorage residents aa a whole. FIGURE 1 RESULTS OF EAGLE RIVER SAMPLING BY KNIK KANOERS AND KAYAKERS Aug. 17, 1984 SAMPLING LOCATIONS SITE 1 SITE 2 SITE 3 SITE 4 SITE 5 SITE 6 SITE 7 FECAL COLIFORM PER 100 ML. 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 p.O. Box ltDi92,5 Anche~'age, Alaska, 9'95:~7 Rep. John Cc, wdery Alaska State Legislature P.O. Box 10-1623 Ar~chc, rage, Alaska 9951] Dear Rep. Cowdery: As ar~ Ar:cbc, rage-area !e~]islator, yc, u will be ir~tere-=,ted ir, the encic, sed repc, rt recer~t]y prepared by the Kr, ik Karu:,e~s and Kayak.~rs, Ir~c. , ax'~ Ar, chc~rage-based recreatic, r~al paddlir~ c]ub, c,:,r~ce~nir~g deteric, ratir~u wa~er quality c,~ the Ea~le River. Dun-~ir~g the past summ~r~ the club has b~er~ testir~ w~ter ir~spectir~q sewage treatmer,t facilit:~es, arid i'~,tervie~.;ir, g wastewate~ managemerr~ c, fficials ir~ ar~ ef~c,r't to determ:~-,e the source c,f fc, ul odc, rs alc, r~ the river ar;d ear ir~fec'L, ior, s, by several of ,Bur n~ernbers. Our findir~s~ ir~ brief, o The sewer faci].ities for the state priscw~ withir~ Chubach State F'ark are poorly ma~.ntair~ed arid badly d~signed. outfall discharges ir~to shallow water r~ext to, the River campgrc, ur~d's pict, lc area, a site where ch:i. ldre~ c,'F'ber~ wade and play. ) To prevent health hazards, proper servicir~g and mc, r~itorir~g must irnmediabely beg~r,, arid the state should begir~ making plates to phase out the discharge er, t irely arid instead cornqect to, the mur~icipal sewer p!a'nt. ,], Fecal c~,lifc, rm levels ir, dicate 'that, upstream -Frc, m the p;-is,:,rm~ s c, utfall~ there is an,sd:her, ur, kr, c, wr~ sc, u~'c'e :',f pc,!lutic, r, ir, to, the rive~'. Ar, irnn~.diate s'budy is r'~ecled to, track it dc, wr, ar,d resolve the pre, bi. em. o The rnur, icipal wastewater t~eatrner, t plant disc'ha~gir, g ir,to, the Ea~le River belc, w the Giernq Highway is properly managed arid c,p~rates well withir, regulat,s, ry gu~deiir, es. But it is ir, apprc, priate tc, discharge secc, r,dacy-treated ?.ewa~e in't,:., a popular river ust~d for full-cc, r, tact water s;pc.,rts fishir, g. We recc, mmer, d a ic, r,g-term sc, iutior, that upgrade the plar, t tc, tertiary treatmer, t or discSarge irrbo Cook Ir, let rather that, ir, to the river. The Eagle River probably suppor'bs mc, re paddling use that, a~,qy c, tiaer waterway ir, Alaeh'a. Because half the state's~ populati,z,rl lives ,:,r, ly mir, utes f~on~. the river, ar, d because 'the Eagle c,'Ffc, rs b,s, th placid stretches ar, d exciting wi~!tewater, that i~snage :is sure to cc, r, tirmue ar, d tc, grow. The rnurlicipa], initiative to c:s'.te, bi:ish a greenbelt along its banks, and the land exchange among the State, Mur~icipality, and Eklutna, Inc., that will keep much of the river corridor in public ownership through the North Anchorage Land Agreement, will ensure that the river's scenic values remain intact in future years. But protecting public access and scenic vistas will not be enough if the Eagle is allowed to become polluted by human sewage. I know that, as an Anchorage legislator, you have a spc~cial interest in finding ways to eliminate pollutior~ of the Eagle River by sewage. That effort will require the participation of Anchorage municipal health and wastewater treatr~ent officials and, even more importantly, the Alaska Department of Er~viron- mental Conservation (DEC). As of Sept. 18, the Municipality has already volunteered its assistance. Unfortunately, DEC has not shown any si~ilar willingness to look into the problem, s we have raised, perhaps because of conflicting regulatory responsibili- ties or the potential costs involved in finding solutions. I hope that we can count on you to contact DEC and let the depart- ~ent know your concern, as well as to support adequate funding for the studies and capital improvements that may prove necessary. With your help, the Eagle River can promptly be restored to its original purity. Sincerely, Jim Richardsor~ President Encl. 72~ ',V, L, tt~ Avem~e,,-\nchorage, Ak. 9950'1 March 6, 1974 Greater Anchorage Area Borough Department of Environmental Quality 3300 "C" Street Anchorage, Alaska 99503 Re: Highland Terrace Subdivision, Addition No. 4 Resubdivision of Tract 6 Eagle River, Alaska SOILS REVIEW The purpose of this letter is to review the soils conditions existing in the referenced tract and discuss the proposed resubdivision of this 22.7 acre tract. The proposal calls 'For subdivision of the tract into three lots of approxi- mately equal area. Review of soils test trenches on adjacent properties and published and unpublished soils data reveals that a highly mixed sand, gravel, silt soil of medium density may be expected. Depth of this soil to bedrock is variable. Soils will be glacial slope or morainal deposits of a nature generally acceptable for on-site waste water disposal. On the basis of the above and personal observation of the site, the follow- ing analysis supports the proposed subdivision of Tract 6: ' 1. Structures should be specially designed by a professional engi- neer' to account for slope stability and bearing 'Factors. 2. On-site waste water disposal systems should be approved on an individual lot basis where it is shown that adequate depth can be gained in the construction of on-site systems. Such systems should not be located within 150 feet of downslope road cuts and should be designed with slope stability protection and erosion protection where needed. 3. On-site water wells should be located within limits prescribed by existing regulations. They should be cased to bedrock where bedrock is · less than 100 feet from the surface unless existing authority prescribes more stringent precautionary measures. Respectfully submitted, L J'~n R. Cl~rk,-~4~l~.- --' ------ JRC/erq June A7 ~ 1.97A Oe~ H~. l, oundabu.uy: ~he ~T~at~ Anoho~a~o Aeea Borough D~pax'tman~ oP (]ual~t¥~ baa Pev~wad ~h~ fou~ p~ata ~htch you hav~ for ~evle~ and cpp~ova~ and ~h~ch ~11 bo co~ln~ befo~ P~nln~ C~io~ion on the evenln~ o~ Ju~y 7~ ~97~, On p~lcul~ plat~Z~h~ Phnnin~ D~on~ ha~ aak~ tha~ o~w co~eutm ~ ~o Sh~by Juno 25, 1971. ~o ~i~ ~Z~een the ido~ion nooo~e~y uo ~ha~ our m~ ~o ~hea on Juno may be of any asmlotauoe An this mat~o~, please conta~ the uude~sll~ned. RoI~ a~ickland. R, B. GEOLOGIC SOIL INVESTIGATION OF 'HIGHLAND TERRACE SUBDIVISION, ADDITION NO. 4 A Portion of the NE 1/4, Section 7, Township 14 North, Range 1 West, Seward Meridian, Alaska July ll, 1973 PREPARED FOR: Paul Jones Eagle River, Alaska PREPARED BY: Hewitt V. Lounsbu~ & Associates 723 W. 6th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501 W. O. #73-341 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION SITE DESCRIPTION FIELD INVESTIGATION SUB-SURFACE CONDITIONS CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS LOCATION MAPS, TEST LOGS AND DATA INTRODUCTION This report is the result of field investigations conducted July 6~ 1973, on properties in the Eagle River area, Greater Anchorage Area Borough, known as Highland Terrace Subdivision, Addition No, 4, Portions of this subdivision under investigation comprise about eight acres, The purpose of the .investigation was to det.,rmine feasibility of the proposed subdivision of certain tracts within the area. SITE DESCRIPTION The property under investigation is in its natural state except for gravel roads leading into and through the property. It is located on the slope of the Chugach Mountains and is moderately steep in gradient a!- though smooth and regular in contour. There are.no l~rge defined drain- ages on the properties under investigation, Average elevation of the site is around 1,200 feet above sea level. Most of the area is covered by dense trees of birch and spruce. Other areas are covered by alder and grasses, Drainage is to the Southwest and West. FIELD INVESTIGATION Soils investigation consisted of four test trenches dug with a Case 580 Backhoe. Visual inspection was made and logged in this report. Road cuts were also observed within the area, A road cut South and East of Test ~lole #1 revealed exposed fractured bedrock (see Location Map), That area also showed exposed very large boulders. Test Hole #3 was excavated to a del)th of four feet and encountered rock. Location of Test ttole #3 was moved to an adjacent area and re-excavated to a depth of 3.5 feet where we encountered rock. Other areas shown on the Location Map could not feasibly be penetrated with the existing equipment due to the steep- ness of the terrain and density of the vegetation, SUB-SURFACE CONDITIONS Various publications define the geology of the immediate area as morainal deposits (till) and bearock. This was confirmed by the field investigation of the test holes and the road cuts. Poorly sorted mixed deposits of sand, gravel and silt were visible in all test holes. Under- laying material, boulders or bedrock, were visible in Test Holes #2 and #3. The glacial material is in all cases overlain by a variable thick- ness of brown, loose silts and organic materials characteristic of the en- tire area. From field observations, it appears that the depth of the morainal till layers are extremely variable and should'be considered on a strictly local basis. No water or seepage was encountered in any of the test holes. Frozen ground, however, was eDcountered in all test holes. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The following conclusions are made from the field investigations herein described, Portions of the site are suitable for the proposed residential development, 1. Tract 5. This site appears adequate for an on-site disposal system. A design factor of 225 to 250 square feet per bedroom is recommended. /\ny proposed on-site disposal systenl, well or dwelling should be located to be compatible with the steep gradient of the terrain. 2. Tract 7. Test Holes #2, #3, and #3A revealed bedrock or very large boulders very close to the ground surface. Due to the low permeability characteristics of the soils revealed by these test.boles, subdivision and/or development of this tract is not recommended at this time. Future geologic investigations may reveal suitable soils on the West (lower) portions of these ,, proposed lots. However, suitability cannot be' d'etermined at this time. Very little data exists concerning water-well development within this immediate area. However, indications frOlll borings in sinlilar areas are that dry wells or spora, dic yields will t)robably be encountered, Water well drilling will probably encounter fractured bedrock. Respectfully submitted, HEWITT V. LOUNSBURY & ASSOCIATES John F<. Clark Charles S. Mortimer, P.E, 1.14 T 17. l'~ C.:¥" ~. .Dole H/~ £'rojacl Locolion Afethod Used Party' J;"colher Ifole No. Sheet i ~ of ? olaf Del)ih ..... r-!-!--'-I '.-._I: ; I - }77, \ Dote ~egun Dote Compleled f'roj¢ct I~ro]cc! 14ome Locotion L(ethod Used K~bld ?orly Weother f So.mph'ng Itole No. -~-~' Z-, f-., &'heel "-~"' of , :--q i~-~- -. :~ ,-;-' ; · - ~ , i J . , · : : ; ~ ~o : ' , I ' / i ' / ~ ~ ~ J I ~ ~ ' ; :._ :: _ -~[- _ ~ :_':_~_tj_r~;' LLi; { :X : ~; L ..;.L.:-./ ~. : ;. ,.--- . : · _ . ~' ~ ' ; -i : :-:, ~ : :~ ,-$i '. :