Amaknak Island

 island, place with historical importance

Dutch Harbor Naval Base had two fuel tank farms on Amaknak Island. One was abandoned and removed in 1942. The second, Rocky Point, was leased by the Navy to a private oil company following World War II. Fort Mears Army Base was also constructed on Amaknak Island. One of the tank farms at this site is still in use by a commercial oil company. The site is owned by the City of Unalaska, two native corporations, and a number of private interests. This property is known or suspected to contain military munitions and explosives of concern (e.g., unexploded ordnance) and therefore may present an explosive hazard.

The Navy first acquired land on Amaknak Island for a radio station and other facilities in 1930. Further acquisition occurred in the 1940s. After the Japanese bombing in 1942, housing was moved to Unalaska Island, and the garrison was abandoned in 1947. The Bureau of Land Management made the land available for Native selection. Most of the land on Amaknak Island is now owned by the Ounalashka Corporation. Other landowners include the City of Unalaska, private landowners, and Native allotment holders. There are other contaminated areas around Dutch Harbor. Hazards at this site that resulted from DoD activity include petroleum contamination associated with above ground storage tanks and underground storage tanks. Eligible debris was removed in 1985, and the aqua-fuel systems (except the remaining pipe networks) were removed in 1991. A major removal and remediation effort began in 1997 and continued through 2001.

Defense Map for Dutch Harbor: (PDF)
www.cdsg.org/mapspdf/HDDHAmap.pdf


Photos of WWII artifacats:
www.sdphotos.org/ca/dutch/