Johnsons Crossing Project
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Location
Johnsons Crossing is located at the junction of the Alaska Highway and Canol Road in Yukon, approximately 50 kilometres northwest of the Village of Teslin and 130 kilometres southeast of Whitehorse on the Traditional Territory of the Teslin Tlingit Council (TTC).
Site history
Tlingit people practiced a semi-nomadic life and lived off the land by fishing, hunting, and gathering in their Traditional Territory until the construction of the Alaska Highway in 1942. Until the early 1940s, the Site consisted of forested land. Development at the Site started with the construction of the Alaska Highway and the Canol pipeline from 1940 to 1942, which included the construction of a US Army Telephone Relay Station on Land Parcel 1 (ERM 2018).
Historically, the site was used as a barrel filling and fuel cache facility, which included an Above Ground Storage Tank (AST) that has since been removed. Hydrocarbon contamination related to former fuel storage activities has been identified at the site.
Review of previous environmental reports
In preparation for the current Johnsons Crossing remediation project, ERM Consultants Canada Ltd. (ERM) reviewed several key reports to understand the site’s history and environmental conditions:
- Johnsons Crossing Phase roman numeral 1 Environmental Site Assessment, prepared by ERM for TTC, dated January 2017.
- Johnsons Crossing Phase roman numeral 2 Environmental Site Assessment, prepared by ERM for TTC, dated February 2018.
Additionally, earlier studies reviewed as part of the Phase I ESA included:
- Research of Former Military Suites & Activities in the Yukon, prepared by K. Bisset & Associates, dated April 1995 (Bisset Report 1995).
- Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment, Old Alaska Highway Mile 836-883, prepared by Royal Roads University, Applied Research Division, dated January 1997 (RRU Report 1997).
Environmental assessments and investigations
ERM was retained by the TTC to conduct a series of environmental site assessments of TTC lands located on both sides of the Teslin River near Johnsons Crossing. A follow-up phase roman numeral 2 investigation, completed in 2020, focused on characterizing and delineating soil contamination, particularly hydrocarbons, at the site.
The investigation involved drilling nine boreholes (including four groundwater monitoring wells) to depths up to 61 metres below ground surface and also specifically targeted three land parcels totalling approximately 39 hectares.
The Site consists of three distinct land parcels totalling approximately 39 hectares:
- Land Parcel 1 (approximately 8 hectares), located north of the Teslin River at the junction of the Alaska Highway and Canol Road, where hydrocarbon contamination was identified near the former Above Ground Storage Tank (AST).
- Land Parcel 2 (approximately 30 hectares), located north of the Teslin River and west of the highway intersection, where no significant contamination was detected.
- Land Parcel 3 (approximately 1 hectare), located south of the Teslin River and west of the Alaska Highway, with no soil or groundwater contamination detected.
Key findings
- Hydrocarbon-contaminated soil was observed on a portion of Land Parcel 1, notably at the former AST location (AEC 2), with contamination extending from surface to 14.33 metres depth.
- Groundwater quality throughout the site meets applicable environmental guidelines.
- No significant soil or groundwater contamination was found at Land Parcels 2 and 3.
- Naturally occurring elevated levels of chromium and nickel were identified and attributed to local geology rather than site activities.
- Soil pH measurements indicated basic soil conditions consistent with naturally occurring high calcium and magnesium concentrations.
A Limited Phase roman numeral 2 Environmental Site Assessment conducted in 2022 further refined contamination delineation through test pitting and groundwater monitoring. This included excavation of seven test pits to depths of two to three metres and sampling of groundwater from established wells.
Remediation plans
Remediation is planned for the 2026–2027 field season, focusing on a contaminated area of approximately 425 square metres, with excavation anticipated to reach depths of six to seven metres below ground surface. The remediation will primarily address soil contamination; groundwater does not currently require treatment.
Preparation for the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act submission and other regulatory permits is underway. The remediation project has been rated through the National Classification System for Contaminated Sites (2008) and is eligible for funding under the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan.