Sitka Tribe of Alaska
Resource Protection Department
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Traditional Territories Project
Indian General Assistance Program (GAP)
Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program (NALEMP)
Slide show
DoD Investigations
Sure, lead is bad but, how bad is it?
The lead communication cable located in and around Sitka Sound poses significant environmental threats to the marine, inter tidal, and wetland environments it encounters. The basis of this concern is the suspected leaching of the cable's components. The lead communication cable consists of: steel cable wrapped around a black plastic sheath or hemp sheath coated with creosote that served as an armor layer. Within the black plastic sheath or hemp sheath is a lead sheath, and within the lead sheath is a mass of copper wires wrapped in hemp. This is to protect the copper wires as far as possible against the corrosive effect of any chemical deposit over which they may lie. When these elements remain in saltwater for over 60 years, they begin to dissolve and are released into the surrounding marine environment of Sitka Sound. The abandoned DoD lead communication cable is deteriorating and it is suspected to be leaching toxic lead, copper, cadmium, and creosote particulates into the surrounding waters of Sitka Sound, possibly contaminating subsistence foods and the marine environment located within the traditional and cultural territory of the Tlingit people of Sitka. The submarine and inter tidal remnants of lead cable is suspected to be contaminating sediments as the cable deteriorates. The lead particulates may also be stirred-up and deposited in areas inhabited by edible sub-tidal marine species.
Lead is a poisonous calcium-mimicking agent, which could contaminate the marine food chain, and potentially bio accumulate. The lead particulates may be stirred-up and deposited in areas inhabited by edible sub-tidal marine species, such as clams, mussels, abalone, and gumboots. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) water quality standards for toxic and other deleterious substances for marine water organisms are based on human consumption criteria for non carcinogens. According to ADEC, the maximum allowable concentration level (1 hour, or also known as the acute level) of lead in saltwater is 210 µg/L, and the maximum continuous concentration level (4 days, or also known as the chronic level) is 8.1 µg/L ( http://www.state.ak.us/dec/water/wqsar/wqs/pdfs/70wqsmanual.pdf ). Copper is known to be extremely detrimental to fish, salmon in particular, as it prevents osmo-regulation from occurring. The maximum allowable level for human consumption of copper is 1300 µg/L ( http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov /toxprofiles ). According to ADEC, the maximum allowable concentration level (24 hours, or also known as the acute level) of copper in saltwater is 4.8 µg/L, and the maximum continuous concentration level (4 days, or also known as the chronic level) is 3.1 µg/L. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that any release of creosote to the environment in excess of 1 pound should be reported ( http://www.epa.gov/IRIS/subst/0360.htm ). Cadmium is a heavy metal toxin, and poses acute and chronic toxicity to saltwater animals and plants. Cadmium also has the potential to bio accumulate in the tissues and organs of animals, especially shellfish. According to ADEC, the maximum allowable concentration level (24 hours, or also known as the acute level) of cadmium in saltwater is 40 µg/L, and the maximum continuous concentration level (4 days, or also known as the chronic level) is 8.8 µg/L ( http://www.state.ak.us/dec/water/wqsar/wqs/pdfs/70wqsmanual.pdf ). The exact composition of the lead communication cable and the amount of each component is unknown. Sitka Tribe of Alaska plans to test the composition of the lead cable to determine exactly what the components are and the amount of each component. Sitka Tribe of Alaska plans to test the cable via the Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), an EPA SW-846 analytical method, (Method 1311) that simulates sanitary landfill contaminant leaching in waste to determine how it can be disposed of properly. In May 1999, ADEC asked USACE, Alaska District to investigate the lead communication cable as a hazardous or toxic waste (HTW) source under the FUDS program. Many other ACS cable sites located throughout Alaska are being investigated under the FUDS program ( See Attachment D ). In Sitka, the ACS cable is being investigated by the Sitka Tribe of Alaska through the Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program (NALEMP).
Several tests have indicated the environmental impacts resulting from the lead cable in the Sitka area. In 1998, Sitka Tribe of Alaska participated in a baseline subsistence food-testing project in Sitka Sound funded by the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (Kovol, Brian, Sitka Tribe of Alaska Baseline Subsistence Food Testing Project , Native American Fish and Wildlife Society, 1998). The sampling areas of the subsistence food items were based on the Tribe's customary and traditional territory, and included the areas of lead cable remnants such as: Long Island, Lisianski Peninsula/Katlian Bay area, Galankin Island, Ataku Island, Biorka Island, and various areas around Japonski Island and the Causeway. The test results revealed elevated levels of lead found in gumboots, abalone, herring roe, rockfish, seaweed ( Porphyra ), and sea cucumber in various locations in Sitka Sound. EPA and ADEC have established cleanup levels of 400 mg/kg for lead in residential soil. This is based on the ingestion of lead in soil ( http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/sfund/prg/index.htm ) ( http://www.state.ak.us/dec/spar/statutes_regs.htm#regs75 ). The results also revealed elevated levels of cadmium in abalone, gumboots, and seaweed ( Porphyra ). Thus, Sitka Tribe of Alaska intends to remove the lead communication cable contamination from its customary and traditional territory.
In June of 2002, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) tested shellfish samples from the Starrigavan area at the 5200 Block of Halibut Point Road. The initial contamination testing conducted by an Anchorage area firm, found that the shellfish contained 27.2 ppm of lead, up to 16 times the amount of lead considered being of a concern by the FDA. The second contamination testing conducted by ADEC, found that the lead levels in the shellfish was 2.81 ppm and slightly exceeded recommended levels for pregnant women and children under 5 years old. The sediment was found to have levels of lead and arsenic that exceeded risk-based concentration values (SLR Alaska, Final Site Data Review and Risk Screening Starrigavan Bay Sediments Sitka, Alaska 005.0065.03001, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, June 2003). According to the Environmental Protection Agency Region 10, ADEC's allowable levels of lead contamination in shellfish are more liberal than the EPA's.
The shoreline in the Starrigavan area contains remnants of the DoD lead communication cable, which may be contributing to the contamination of traditional foods. The Sitka Tribe of Alaska reported Tribal government concerns regarding this site. The Tribal government is very concerned with the alarming rate of cancer in Sitka, Alaska. Many citizens believe that much of our cancer increase is due to environmental factors, such as deteriorating lead cable.
Additionally, other secondary environmental effects justify the need to remove the lead cable. The lead communication cable impedes navigation, as boat anchors and fishing gear can get snagged. The lead cable has the potential to affect water quality, because it slowly dissolves into the marine environment, and hence affecting fish and other wildlife. The lead cable remnants on land disturb recreation, as people try and avoid the areas where it is known to exist. The lead cable is esthetically unsatisfactory for the residents of Sitka, because sections are exposed in inter tidal areas, beach areas, and in muskeg areas. There is a general concern for the health and welfare of the people of Sitka.
TRIBAL CONCERNS
Sitka, Alaska and the surrounding area was a major focus of military build-up during World War II (WWII). Sitka was a key location in the defense of the threat of Japanese invasion. Many fortifications, communication facilities, radar sites, and a Naval Air Station were constructed in and around Sitka. The Sitka Tribal Council and Tribal citizens have concerns that these outposts and the lead cable, present unresolved contamination issues at the closure of the war.
Remnants of the DoD lead communication cable and may be contributing to the contamination of traditional foods. The Sitka Tribe of Alaska reported Tribal government concerns regarding this issue. The Tribal government is very concerned with the alarming increasing rate of cancer in Sitka, Alaska. Many citizens believe that much of our cancer increase is due to environmental factors, such as this deteriorating lead cable.
American Indians and Alaskan Natives whose reservations and tribal lands are near polluted military and other government complexes may have a greater risk of toxic exposure from harmful substances in food, air and water than the rest of the United States population. Researchers believe the elevated exposures may be linked to former military sites near tribal lands that were in constant use during WWII and the Cold War. Some of the concerns include soil, air, and groundwater pollution, illegal chemical and equipment dumping, improper hazardous waste disposal, and the presence of military waste. Tribal leaders hope to call attention to resource needs, encourage more environmental reviews of nearby development, and force government cleanup of contaminated sites near tribal land.
Sitka Tribe of Alaska's concern is based on past DoD activities associated with Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) and Impact Sites on Alaska Native resources and lands Tribal citizens derive physical, cultural, spiritual, and economic health from the environment around Sitka. Customary and traditional hunting and gathering, also known as subsistence, is a way of life for the Sitka people. Thus, it is essential that the Sitka Tribe play an integral role in assessing, testing, restoring, and maintaining a healthy environment around the Village of Sitka.
In support of its citizens to preserve their identity and culture, Sitka Tribe of Alaska will continue to proactively pursue remediation and mitigation of the consequences of DoD activities in Sitka. The Sitka Tribe of Alaska will continue to investigate known DoD impacts to tribal lands in Sitka, Alaska.
If you have stories of information you'd like to share please contact the Dod Investigator at (907) 747-7500 Ext 13
Native American Lands Environment Mitigation Program (NALEMP) Web Site
Mount Edgecumbe High School's World War II Site
Matt Hunters World War II Site