FINAL

Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee Army Aviation Support 

Facility #2

Kankakee, Illinois

Perfluorooctane-Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic

Acid (PFOA) Impacted Sites

ARNG Installations, Nationwide 

February 2021 

Prepared for:

Army National Guard Bureau

111 S. George Mason Drive

Arlington, VA 22204

UNCLASSIFIED
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................1

1. Introduction........................................................................................................................3

Authority and Purpose ..............................................................................................3

Preliminary Assessment Methods .............................................................................3

Report Organization..................................................................................................4

Facility Location and Description...............................................................................4

Facility Environmental Setting...................................................................................4

1.5.1 Geology .........................................................................................................5

1.5.2 Hydrogeology................................................................................................. 5

1.5.3 Hydrology.......................................................................................................5

1.5.4 Climate...........................................................................................................6

1.5.5 Current and Future Land Use.........................................................................6

2. Fire Training Areas...........................................................................................................10

3. Non-Fire Training Areas ...................................................................................................11

Main Hangar...........................................................................................................11

Cold Storage Hangar ..............................................................................................11

4. Emergency Response Areas............................................................................................13

5. Adjacent Sources.............................................................................................................14

Greater Kankakee Airport Hangars .........................................................................14

Township Firehouse................................................................................................14

6. Preliminary Conceptual Site Model ..................................................................................16

7. Conclusions .....................................................................................................................17

Findings ..................................................................................................................17

Uncertainties...........................................................................................................17

Potential Future Actions ..........................................................................................17

8. References ......................................................................................................................20
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

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Tables

Table 7-1: Uncertainties

Figures

Figure ES-1 Summary of Findings

Figure 1-1 Facility Location

Figure 1-2 Groundwater Features

Figure 1-3 Surface Water Features

Figure 3-1 Non-Fire Training Areas

Figure 5-1 Adjacent Sources 

Figure 7-1 Summary of Findings 

Appendices

Appendix A Data Resources

Appendix B Preliminary Assessment Documentation

B.1 Interview Records

B.2 Visual Site Inspection Checklists

B.3 Conceptual Site Model Information

Appendix C Photographic Log
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

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Acronyms and Abbreviations

°F degrees Fahrenheit

AASF Army Aviation Support Facility

AECOM AECOM Technical Services, Inc.

AFFF aqueous film forming foam

AOI area of interest

ARNG Army National Guard

CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

EDRTM Environmental Data Resources, Inc. 

FAA Federal Aviation Administration

FTA fire training area

HEF high expansion foam

ILARNG Illinois Army National Guard

PA Preliminary Assessment

PFAS per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances

PFOA perfluorooctanoic acid

PFOS perfluorooctanesulfonic acid

SI Site inspection

UCMR3 Unregulated Contaminant Rule 3

US United States

USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers

USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency

VSI visual site inspection
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

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Executive Summary

The Army National Guard (ARNG) is performing Preliminary Assessments (PAs) and Site 

Inspections (SIs) for Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) 

Impacted Sites at ARNG Facilities Nationwide. A PA for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances 

(PFAS)-containing materials was completed for Kankakee Army Aviation Support Facility #2 

(AASF) (also referred to as the “facility”) in Kankakee, Illinois, to assess potential PFAS release 

areas and exposure pathways to receptors. The AASF is constructed on a parcel of land owned 

by the Kankakee Valley Airport Authority and leased to the State of Illinois, Department of Military 

Affairs for the use by the Illinois ARNG (ILARNG) for the term that began in 2009 and ends in 

2059. 

The performance of this PA included the following tasks:

• Reviewed available administrative record documents and Environmental Data Resources,

Inc. (EDR)TM report packages to obtain information relevant to potential PFAS releases, such

as: drinking water well locations, historical aerial photographs, Sanborn maps, and

environmental compliance actions in the area surrounding the facility;

• Conducted a site visit on 6 November 2019 and completed visual site inspections at locations

where PFAS-containing materials were suspected of being stored, used, or disposed; and

• Interviewed current ILARNG personnel, ILARNG environmental managers, and operations

staff.

No Areas of Interest related to potential PFAS releases were identified at the AASF during the PA. 

The summary of PA findings is shown on Figure ES-1. 

Based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Unregulated Contaminant 

Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR3) data, it was indicated that no PFAS were detected in a public water 

system above the USEPA Health Advisory within 20 miles of the facility. PFAS analyses performed 

in 2016 had method detection limits that were higher than currently achievable. Thus, it is possible 

that low concentrations of PFAS were not detected during the UCMR3 but might be detected if 

analyzed today. 

Based on the documented absence of the use/release of PFAS-containing materials at the AASF, 

evidence does not support current or former ILARNG activities having contributed to PFAS 

contamination in soil, groundwater, surface water, or sediment at the AASF or adjacent area. 

Therefore, the AASF will not move forward in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 

Compensation, and Liability Act process. 
Township Firehouse

Greater Kankakee Airport Hangars

Greater Kankakee Airport Hangars

Main Hangar

Cold Storage Hangar

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Germantown, MD 20876

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Base Map: Source: Esri, Maxar, GeoEye, Earthstar

Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS,

Figure ES-1

Summary of Findings

Legend

Potential PFAS Release

No Suspected Release

Facility Boundary

Water Body

River/Stream

0 400 800 1,600

Feet

2
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1. Introduction

Authority and Purpose

The Army National Guard (ARNG) G9 is the lead agency in performing Preliminary Assessments 

(PAs) and Site Inspections (SIs) for Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic 

acid (PFOA) at Impacted Sites at ARNG Facilities Nationwide. This work is supported by the 

United States (US) Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Baltimore District and their contractor 

AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM) under Contract Number W912DR-12-D-0014, Task 

Order W912DR17F0192, issued 11 August 2017. 

The ARNG is assessing potential effects on human health related to processes at their facilities 

that used per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), primarily releases of aqueous film forming 

foam (AFFF), although other sources of PFAS are possible. In addition, the ARNG is assessing 

businesses or operations adjacent to the ARNG facility (not under the control of ARNG) that could 

potentially be responsible for a PFAS release. 

PFAS are classified as emerging environmental contaminants that are garnering increasing 

regulatory interest due to their potential risks to human health and the environment. PFAS 

formulations contain highly diverse mixtures of compounds. Thus, the fate of these PFAS 

compounds in the environment will vary. The regulatory framework at both federal and state levels 

continues to evolve. The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issued Drinking Water 

Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS in May 2016, but there are currently no promulgated 

national standards regulating PFAS in drinking water. In the absence of federal maximum 

contaminant levels, some states have adopted their own drinking water standards for PFAS.

This report presents findings of a PA for PFAS-containing materials at Kankakee Army Aviation 

Support Facility #2 (AASF) (also referred to as the “facility”) in Kankakee, Illinois in accordance

with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), 

as amended, the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (40 Code 

of Federal Regulations Part 300), and US Department of the Army requirements and guidance.

This PA documents the known locations where PFAS may have been released into the 

environment at the AASF. The term PFAS will be used throughout this report to encompass all 

PFAS chemicals being evaluated, including PFOS and PFOA, which are key components of 

AFFF.

Preliminary Assessment Methods

The performance of this PA included the following tasks: 

• Reviewed available administrative record documents and Environmental Data Resources, 

Inc. (EDR)TM report packages to obtain information relevant to potential PFAS releases, such 

as: drinking water well locations, historical aerial photographs, Sanborn maps, and 

environmental compliance actions in the area surrounding the facility;

• Conducted a site visit on 6 November 2019 and completed visual site inspections (VSIs) at 

locations where PFAS-containing materials were suspected of being stored, used, or 

disposed; and

• Interviewed current Illinois ARNG (ILARNG) personnel, ILARNG environmental managers, 

and operations staff.
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Report Organization

This report has been prepared in accordance with the USEPA Guidance for Performing 

Preliminary Assessments under CERCLA (USEPA, 1991). The report sections and descriptions 

of each are:

• Section 1 – Introduction: identifies the project purpose and authority and describes the

facility location, environmental setting, and methods used to complete the PA.

• Section 2 – Fire Training Areas: describes the Fire Training Areas (FTAs) at the facility

identified during the site visit.

• Section 3 – Non-Fire Training Areas: describes other locations of potential PFAS releases

at the facility identified during the site visit.

• Section 4 – Emergency Response Areas: describes areas of potential PFAS release at the

facility, specifically in response to emergency situations.

• Section 5 – Adjacent Sources: describes sources of potential PFAS release adjacent to the

facility that are not under the control of ARNG.

• Section 6 – Preliminary Conceptual Site Model: describes the pathways of PFAS transport

and receptors at each AOI.

• Section 7 – Conclusions: summarizes the data findings and presents the conclusions of the

PA.

• Section 8 – References: provides the references used to develop this document.

• Appendix A – Data Resources

• Appendix B – Preliminary Assessment Documentation

• Appendix C – Photographic Log

Facility Location and Description

The AASF is in Kankakee County in northeast Illinois (Figure 1-1). The cities of Bradley, 

Kankakee, Otto and Aroma Park are all within 10 miles of the AASF. The AASF is adjacent to the 

Greater Kankakee Airport. The AASF is accessible from the west via S 500E Road. 

At present, the AASF has a total land area of approximately 30 acres. The AASF is constructed 

on a parcel of land owned by the Kankakee Valley Airport Authority and leased to the State of 

Illinois, Department of Military Affairs for the use by the ILARNG for the term that began in 2009 

and ends in 2059. The AASF provides aviation intermediate-level and aviation unit-level aircraft 

maintenance support. 

Facility Environmental Setting

Kankakee County is in northeast Illinois located in the Central Lowlands physiographic province. 

This province is characterized by a generally high altitude surrounded by lowlands. The 

physiographic province is split into two physiographic sections, the Till Plains Section and the 

Great Lakes Section. Within the Till Plains Section is the Kankakee Till Plain, where the AASF is 

located. The AASF lays in an outwash plain formed by glacial floods with variable gradients, 

volumes and velocities. Surficial deposits in the area are predominantly made of outwash sand 

and gravel from the Henry/Atherton Formation but can include different types of fill material and 

alluvium. It is common to find bedrock exposed along the Kankakee River. Surficial deposits are 
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

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less than 200 feet thick, however deposits can be found in the Kankakee River lowland at less 

than 50 feet (USGS, 1999).

1.5.1 Geology

The AASF is in northeast Illinois in an area that was a part of the Wisconsin glaciation period. This 

area is characterized by unconsolidated glacial drift deposits with various thicknesses overlying 

dolomitic bedrock. The Henry Formation, which is a very predominate formation in the area, is 

approximately 5 to 25 feet thick with sandy, gravelly silt with various beds of sand and gravel. The 

Henry Formation most commonly has thin sheet like deposits wedging out in the up-ice direction 

beneath diamicton formations. As the sheets face away from the moraine areas in the down-ice 

direction they can be found in thinner amounts. In many major areas of drainage leading away 

from moraines and around lakes there can be ribbonlike deposits found. In areas adjacent to 

major valleys mound like and sheet like deposits can also be found (Hansel and Johnson, 1996).

The other formation in the area is known as the Wedron Formation, which can be found in the 

uplands. The Wedron Formation has multiple diamiction units containing lenses of clay, sand, 

gravel, silt, humic material and wood. It intertwines with the Mason Group such as Peoria Silt and 

Henry Formation. Thickness of the two formations average just under 100 feet but can reach 

depths of nearly 300 feet. The diamiction range of the Wedron Formation for texture vary from 

fine to coarse with gravel-sized clasts from two percent up to 20 percent. Colors of the formation 

range from gray, red gray, gray brown, or red brown (Hansel and Johnson, 1996).

1.5.2 Hydrogeology

There are multiple aquifers in the vicinity of the AASF. The regional groundwater flow generally 

follows local flow such as the Kankakee and Iroquois Rivers which has a south-eastern direction. 

Underneath the glacial drift soils around the facility, there is a shallow overburden aquifer

composed of Silurian dolomite. In deeper aquifer areas, Cambrian and Ordovician bedrock 

aquifers can be found in isolated areas from shallow aquifers. They are separated by lowpermeability shale beds from the Maquoketa Group. The Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer has 

numerous layers that can be repetitive such as sandstone, limestone and dolomite. Throughout 

the entire region, the different layers of the Cambrian and Ordovician strata are hydraulically 

interconnected and function as one aquifer (USGS, 1999). 

No potable water wells are located within the boundary of the AASF; however, there are several

other/unknown wells located upgradient, side gradient, and down gradient of the facility (Figure 

1-2). The State of Illinois does not provide specific well type information (i.e. domestic well,

industrial well, etc.).

Drinking water for the AASF is supplied by the City of Kankakee, which sources most of the water 

from the surface water in the Kankakee River or from surrounding lakes and rivers (City of 

Kankakee, 2017). The Kankakee River is approximately 2 miles to the east of the facility, and it is 

unknown if the surface water intakes are upgradient or downgradient of the facility (Figure 1-2). 

The USEPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR3) data indicate that 

PFOS/PFOA were not detected in a public water system above the USEPA HA within a 20-mile 

radius of the facility. PFAS analyses performed in 2016 had method detection limits that were 

higher than currently achievable. Thus, it is possible that low concentrations of PFAS were not 

detected during the UCMR3 but might be detected if analyzed today.

1.5.3 Hydrology 

The AASF is west of where the Kankakee and Iroquois Rivers meet (Figure 1-3). The northern 

half of the property slopes to the northeast and the southern half of the property slopes to the 
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southeast. Surface water runoff gathers in ditches in multiple locations at the facility. This water 

runoff on the northeast side eventually reaches the Kankakee River while flow to the southeast 

eventually reached the Iroquois River. The infiltration and streamflow in this area have quite a 

variance based on soil type. In some locations, there is a more clay-based soils, which results in 

slower infiltration of precipitation and less ground-water discharge creating greater variations in 

streamflow. In other locations along the Kankakee River, the soil is mostly compromised of sand, 

which creates poorly drained land and small ponds along the river. This natural storage of water 

affects streamflow as the water tends to stay in place in these poorly drained areas (USGS, 1999).

1.5.4 Climate 

The climate at the AASF has four defined seasons with a variation in temperatures. The summers 

at the AASF are long, warm, and humid with a lot of rainfall. The winters are freezing, windy with 

cloud cover almost year around. Temperatures vary from average highs of 60.6 degrees 

Fahrenheit (°F) to average lows of 41.3 °F. The average annual temperature is 50.95 °F. Average 

precipitation is 39.13 inches of rain (World Climate, 2019).

1.5.5 Current and Future Land Use

The AASF is a controlled access facility and is adjacent to the Greater Kankakee Airport. 

Reasonably anticipated future land use is not expected to change from the current land use; 

however, future infrastructure improvements, land acquisitions, and land use controls at the 

Greater Kankakee Airport and surrounding areas are unknown. 
­12420 Milestone Center Drive

Germantown, MD 20876

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Base Map: Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS,

Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI,

Figure 1-1

Facility Location

Legend

Facility Boundary

0 0.5 1 2

Miles

Kankakee AASF #2

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Minnie Creek

Gar Creek

Kankakee River

Iroqu ois River

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Base Map: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye,

Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS,

Figure 1-2

Groundwater Features

Legend

Facility Boundary

Water Body

Canal/Ditch

River/Stream

Inferred Groundwater Flow Direction

Geology

Silurian System

Wells

A! Other/Unknown

0 0.25 0.5 1

Miles

8
Minnie Creek

Gar Creek

Kankakee River

Iroqu ois River

Minnie

Creek

Watershed

Iroquois

River

Watershed

Gar Creek

Watershed

Rayns

Creek-Kankakee

River Watershed

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Base Map: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye,

Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS,

Figure 1-3

Surface Water Features

Legend

Facility Boundary

Water Body

Canal/Ditch

River/Stream

Surface Water Flow Direction

0 0.25 0.5 1

Miles

9
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2. Fire Training Areas

No FTAs were identified within the facility during the PA through interviews (Appendix B) or 

document review (Appendix A). All off-site training occurs at Fort McCoy, which is located 11 

miles west of Tomah, Wisconsin and just over 300 miles to the northwest of the AASF. 
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3. Non-Fire Training Areas

In addition to FTAs, the PA evaluated areas where PFAS-containing materials may have been 

broadly used, stored, or disposed. This may include buildings with fire suppression systems, paint 

booths, AFFF storage areas, and areas of compliance demonstrations. Information on these 

features obtained during the PA are included in Appendices A and B. 

Two non-FTAs where Jet-X high expansion foam (HEF) was potentially released at the AASF 

were identified during the PA. However, further evaluation of Jet-X HEF indicates that no PFAS 

are present in the material. Therefore, neither of the non-FTAs are considered potential source 

areas for PFAS. A description of each non-FTA is presented below and shown on Figure 3-1. 

Interview records appear in Appendix B. Photographs appear in Appendix C. 

Main Hangar

In 2017, the Main Hangar was built which contains a fire suppression system supplied by a 400-

gallon tank filled with two percent Jet-X HEF. The geographic coordinates are 41°04'09.6"N and 

87°51'23.4"W. Upon installation of the fire suppression system, there was one full hangar release 

suppression system test, conducted by a contractor. The hangar doors were closed during the 

test, and the HEF went down the trench drains, which flow to an oil/water separator at the north 

side of the facility boundary. Water from the oil/water separator drains to the stormwater 

conveyance system, which discharges to an existing pond approximately 500 feet north and off

the facility. The pond is connected to a tributary that flows to the Kankakee River (Figure 3-1). 

There has been no additional maintenance of the fire suppression system since its original 

installation. There are currently three Purple K mobile fire extinguishers located at the facility 

around the ramp area. 

Cold Storage Hangar

In 2017, the Cold Storage Hangar was built which contains a fire suppression system supplied by 

a 300-gallon tank filled with two percent Jet-X HEF. This fire suppression system uses a separate 

fire suppression system than the Main Hangar. The Cold Storage Hangar is located northeast of 

the Main Hangar. The geographic coordinates are 41°04'12.3"N and 87°51'20.7"W. Upon 

installation of the fire suppression system, there was one full hangar release suppression system 

test conducted, by a contractor. The hangar doors were closed during the test, and the HEF went 

down the trench drains, which flow to an oil/water separator at the north side of the facility 

boundary. Water from the oil/water separator drains to the stormwater conveyance system, which 

discharges to an existing pond approximately 500 feet north and off the facility. The pond is 

connected to a tributary that flows to the Kankakee River (Figure 3-1). 

In the Cold Storage Hangar fire suppression system room, two 55-gallon drums of two percent 

Jet-X HEF were present; one of the drums was half full and the other drum was completely full. 

There was no visible leaking or discoloration on the concrete. 
Main Hangar

Cold Storage Hangar

­12420 Milestone Center Drive

Germantown, MD 20876

CLIENT

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Base Map: Source: Esri, Maxar, GeoEye, Earthstar

Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS,

Figure 3-1

Non-Fire Training Areas

Legend

No Suspected Release

Facility Boundary

Water Body

River/Stream

0 250 500 1,000

Feet

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4. Emergency Response Areas

No emergency response areas or incidents were identified within the AASF during the PA through 

interviews (Appendix B), historical document review, or the EDRTM. The Kankakee Fire 

Department responds to all emergencies at the facility and Greater Kankakee Airport; there were

no reported emergencies at the airport. The Kankakee Fire Department was called once to the 

AASF to respond to smoke coming from a closet with electronic communication equipment; 

however, there was no fire and the closet was just ventilated to remove the smoke. 
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5. Adjacent Sources

Two potential off-facility sources of PFAS adjacent to the AASF, not under the control of the ARNG, 

were identified during the PA. Based on interviews with ILARNG personnel (Appendix B) and 

historical document review, the identified adjacent area with potential AFFF releases are outside 

the AASF boundaries. The description of the adjacent source is presented below and are shown 

on Figure 5-1. 

Greater Kankakee Airport Hangars

The Greater Kankakee Airport geographic coordinates are 41°03'55.0"N and 87°50'55.3"W. The 

current Greater Kankakee Airport has been officially serving the Kankakee community since 1962

and is owned and operated by the Kankakee Valley Airport Authority. The AASF is adjacent to the 

Greater Kankakee Airport. The airport is home to private hangars housing helicopter, single 

engine aircraft, ultralights, and turbine powered aircraft. The geographic coordinates of the areas 

where the Greater Kankakee Airport Hangars are located are 41° 3'55.12"N and 87°51'4.71"W; 

and 41° 3'56.24"N and 87°50'42.14"W. There is also an official Federal Aviation Administration 

(FAA) Light Sport Repair Station located at the Greater Kankakee Airport. The FAA Light Sport 

Repair Station offers services of sport pilot examinations for powered parachute, sport pilot 

training in fixed-wing aircraft and powered parachute as well as inspection, maintenance, and 

heavy maintenance and other engine services. Due to the unknown nature of whether the private 

hangars have fire suppression systems and the maintenance that is performed at the repair 

station; the Greater Kankakee Airport has been identified as an adjacent source. 

Township Firehouse

There is a Township Firehouse located southeast of the AASF that is used by the volunteer fire 

department. The geographic coordinates are 41°3'42.60"N and 87°50'56.71"W. There was no 

information obtained through interviews or online research that described if firetrucks or 

firefighting equipment are stored at the firehouse. However, there is a potential that AFFF could 

be stored at the firehouse or on firetrucks; therefore, the Township Firehouse has been identified 

as an adjacent source. 
Township Firehouse

Greater Kankakee Airport Hangars

Greater Kankakee Airport Hangars

Main Hangar

Cold Storage Hangar

­12420 Milestone Center Drive

Germantown, MD 20876

CLIENT

REVISED

SCALE

ARNG

GIS BY

CHK BY

MS

JW

1/11/2021

1/11/2021

NOTES Preliminary Assessment for PFAS at Kankakee AASF #2, IL

1/11/2021

1:8,400

PM RG 1/11/2021

C:\Users\stankevichm\OneDrive - AECOM Directory\ARNG_PFAS_GIS_60552172\MXDs\IL\Kankakee_AASF2_Figures\Kankakee_AASF2_PA_Figures\Fig_5-1_Kankakee_AASF2_Adjacent_Sources.mxd

Base Map: Source: Esri, Maxar, GeoEye, Earthstar

Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS,

Figure 5-1

Adjacent Sources

Legend

Potential PFAS Release

No Suspected Release

Facility Boundary

Water Body

River/Stream

0 350 700 1,400

Feet

15
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

16

6. Preliminary Conceptual Site Model

Based on the PA findings, no AOIs were identified at the AASF. A conceptual site model identifies 

the three components necessary for a potentially complete exposure pathway: (1) source, (2) 

pathway, (3) receptor. If any of these elements are missing, the pathway is considered incomplete.

Based on the findings of this PA, no PFAS sources originate at the AASF or from activities 

associated with the AASF; therefore, there is no complete exposure pathway to potential 

receptors.
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

17

7. Conclusions

This report presents a summary of available information gathered during the PA on the use and 

storage of AFFF and other PFAS-related activities at the AASF. The PA findings are based on the 

information presented in Appendix A and Appendix B. 

Findings

Based on information obtained during interviews conducted with facility personnel who have been 

familiar with the facility since 2017 and reviewed documentation, no AOIs related PFAS releases 

were identified at the AASF. While adjacent sources were identified, evidence obtained during the 

PA does not support that current or former ARNG facility activities have contributed to PFAS 

contamination in soil, groundwater, surface water, or sediment. Therefore, the pathways to all 

human receptors are incomplete. A summary of the PA findings is presented on Figure 7-1. 

Uncertainties

A number of information sources were investigated during this PA to determine the potential for 

PFAS-containing materials to have been present, used, or released at the facility. Historically, 

documentation of PFAS use was not required because PFAS were considered benign. Therefore, 

records were not typically kept by the facility or available during the PA on the use of PFAS in 

training, firefighting, or other non-traditional activities, or on its disposition. 

The conclusions of this PA are based on all available information, including: previous 

environmental reports, EDRsTM, observations made during the VSI, and interviews. Interviews of 

personnel with direct knowledge of a facility generally provided the most useful insights regarding 

a facility's historical and current PFAS-containing materials. Sometimes the provided information 

was vague or conflicted with other sources. Gathered information has a degree of uncertainty due 

to the absence of written documentation, the limited number of personnel with direct knowledge 

due to staffing changes, the time passed since PFAS was first used (1969 to present), and a 

reliance on personal recollection. Inaccuracies may arise in potential PFAS release locations, 

dates of release, volume of releases, and the concentration of HEF used. There is also a 

possibility the PA has missed a source of PFAS, as the science of how PFAS may enter the 

environment continually evolves.

In order to minimize the level of uncertainty, readily available data regarding the use and storage 

of PFAS were reviewed, retired and current personnel were interviewed, multiple persons were 

interviewed for the same potential source area, and potential source areas were visually 

inspected. Table 7-1 summarizes the uncertainties associated with the PA.

Table 7-1: Uncertainties

Area of Interest Source of Uncertainty

AOI 2

One of the 55-gallon drums of two percent Jet-X HEF was

half-full. Personnel did not know where or when the HEF was 

used. 

Potential Future Actions

Based on the documented absence (2017 to present) of the storage, use or release of PFAScontaining materials at the AASF, no AOIs were identified during the PA. Evidence does not 

support that current or former ARNG activities have contributed to PFAS contamination to soil, 
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

18

groundwater, surface water, or sediment at the facility or adjacent areas. Therefore, the facility 

will not move forward in the CERCLA process.
Main Hangar

Cold Storage Hangar

Township Firehouse

Greater Kankakee Airport Hangars

Greater Kankakee Airport Hangars

­12420 Milestone Center Drive

Germantown, MD 20876

CLIENT

REVISED

SCALE

ARNG

GIS BY

CHK BY

MS

JW

1/11/2021

1/11/2021

NOTES Preliminary Assessment for PFAS at Kankakee AASF, IL

1/11/2021

1:9,600

PM RG 1/11/2021

C:\Users\stankevichm\OneDrive - AECOM Directory\ARNG_PFAS_GIS_60552172\MXDs\IL\Kankakee_AASF2_Figures\Kankakee_AASF2_PA_Figures\Fig_7-1_Kankakee_AASF2_Summary.mxd

Base Map: Source: Esri, Maxar, GeoEye, Earthstar

Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS,

Figure 7-1

Summary of Findings

Legend

Potential PFAS Release

No Suspected Release

Facility Boundary

Water Body

River/Stream

0 400 800 1,600

Feet

19
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

20

8. References

City of Kankakee. 2017. Kankakee Division Water Quality Report, PWSID# IL0915030. 

Hansel, Ardith K., and W. Hilton Johnson. 1996. Wedron and Mason Groups: Lithostratigraphic 

Reclassification of Deposits of the Wisconsin Episode, Lake Michigan Lobe Area: Illinois State 

Geological Survey Bulletin 104, 116 p.

National Ground Water Association (NGWA). 2018. Groundwater and PFAS: State of 

Knowledge and Practice. January.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 1991. Guidance for Performing 

Preliminary Assessments under CERCLA. September.

United States Geological Survey (USGS). 1999. Environmental Setting of the Upper Illinois River 

Basin and Implications for Water Quality. Accessed January 2020. 

World Climate. 2019. Average Weather Data for Kankakee, Illinois. Available at 

http://www.worldclimate.com/climate/us/illinois/kankakee (Accessed 14 December 2019).
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

Appendix A

Data Resources
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

Data Resources will be provided separately on CD. Data Resources for Kankakee AASF #2, 

Illinois.

Kankakee AASF #2 Leases, Licenses, and Permits

• 2009 Kankakee AASF #2 Lease

Kankakee AASF #2 Documentation

• 2016 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan – Kankakee AASF #2

• 2016 Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan – Kankakee AASF #2

EDR Report

• 2020 Kankakee AASF #2 Report
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

Appendix B

Preliminary Assessment Documentation
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

Appendix B.1

Interview Records
PA Interview Questionnaire - Other Facility: Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

Interviewer: 

Date/Time: 11/6/2019, 1100

Interviewee: 

Title: AASF 

Phone Number:

Email: 

Can your name/role be used in the PA Report? Y or 

N 

Can you recommend anyone we can interview? 

Y or N __________________________ 

Roles or activities with the Facility/Years working at the Facility:

Has been the for 2 years at the facility. 

PFAS Use: Identify accidental/intentional release locations, time frame of release, frequency of 

releases, storage container size (maintenance, fire training, firefighting, buildings with suppression 

systems (as builts), fueling stations, crash sites, pest management, recreational, dining facilities, 

metals plating, or waterproofing). How are materials ordered/purchased/disposed/shared with others?

• Facility opened on November 4, 2017. Construction took 3 years to 

build it. All buildings at the AASF #2 are new.

• Fire Suppression System

o The main hangar has a 400-gallon tank of 2% Jet-X high 

expansion foam (HEF) which was tested with a full release 

upon installation

o The cold storage hangar has a 300-gallon tank of 2% Jet-X 

HEF which was tested with a full release upon installation

o Both releases had the hangar doors were closed, and the foam 

went down the drains in the floor

o The floor drains/ trench drains lead to an oil/water separator at 

the north side of the facility boundary, which then goes to the 

stormwater system and then to an existing pond approximately 

500 feet north of the AASF #2

o Bulk high expansion foam found stored in the cold storage 

building- 2 55-gallon drums of Jet-X HEF, one was full and the 

other was half full

o No other maintenance has been performed since initial testing

o Interviewees do not recall testing

• Fire Extinguishers

o Three mobile fire extinguishers (purple k) are placed on ramp 

areas and have never been dispensed

o Kankakee Fire Department does emergency response: no 

airport fire department

Known Uses

Use 

Procurement

Disposition

Storage (Mixed)

Storage (Solution)

Inventory, Off-Spec

Containment

SOP on Filling

Leaking Vehicles

Nozzle and 

Suppression System 

Testing

Dining Facilities

Vehicle Washing

Ramp Washing

Fuel Spill Washing

and Fueling Stations

Chrome Plating or 

Waterproofing
PA Interview Questionnaire - Other Facility: Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

Interviewer: 

Date/Time: 11/6/2019, 1100

Interviewee: 

Title:

Phone Number:

Email: 

Can your name/role be used in the PA Report? Y or 

N 

Can you recommend anyone we can interview? 

Y or N __________________________ 

Roles or activities with the Facility/Years working at the Facility:

 has been at the facility for 1 year and serves as the . 

PFAS Use: Identify accidental/intentional release locations, time frame of release, frequency of 

releases, storage container size (maintenance, fire training, firefighting, buildings with suppression 

systems (as builts), fueling stations, crash sites, pest management, recreational, dining facilities, 

metals plating, or waterproofing). How are materials ordered/purchased/disposed/shared with others?

• Emergency Response

o One time the fire department was called to the facility for smoke 

coming from a closet with electronic communication type 

equipment. There was no actual fire, so the closet was just 

ventilated

o Kankakee FD, no airport FD 

o No emergency response

• Fire Training

o No actual exercises performed at the AASF #2; just video 

training

o Off-site training occurs at Fort McCoy which is 11 miles west of 

Tomah, Wisconsin or just over 300 miles northwest of the 

AASF

• Adjacent Sources

o There are several private and corporate hangars; it is unknown if 

they have fire suppression systems on south side of the airport

o No crop-dusting planes to the best of Mr. McCormick’s 

knowledge 

• Waste water treatment plant on north side of town; not close to the 

facility

• The AASF #2 obtains water from the City of Kankakee 

Known Uses

Use 

Procurement

Disposition

Storage (Mixed)

Storage (Solution)

Inventory, Off-Spec

Containment

SOP on Filling

Leaking Vehicles

Nozzle and 

Suppression System 

Testing

Dining Facilities

Vehicle Washing

Ramp Washing

Fuel Spill Washing

and Fueling Stations

Chrome Plating or 

Waterproofing
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

Appendix B.2

Visual Site Inspection Checklists
Visual Site Inspection Checklist

Names(s) of people performing VSI:

Recorded by:

ARNG Contact:

Date and Time: 11/6/2019 11am

Method of visit (walking, driving, adjacent): walking, driving

Source/Release Information

Site Name / Area Name / Unique ID: Kankakee AASF #2

approximately 39 acres

Historic Site Use (Brief Description):

Current Site Use (Brief Description):

Physical barriers or access restrictions: 

1. Was PFAS used (or spilled) at the site/area? Y / N

1a. If yes, document how PFAS was used and usage time (e.g., fire fighting training 2001 to 2014):

2. Has usage been documented? Y / N

2a. If yes, keep a record (place electronic files on a disk): 

3. What types of businesses are located near the site? Industrial / Commercial / Plating / Waterproofing / Residential

3a. Indicate what businesses are located near the site

4. Is this site located at an airport/flightline? Y / N

4a. If yes, provide a description of the airport/flightline tenants:

Site / Area Acreage:

The original 38.88 acre property was acquired in 1958, and the Armory facility, which 

also held the shop, was built in 1960. In 2003 a new AASF shop facility was 

constructed. The facility consists of a storage hangar, repair hangar, shops, and a two 

story office area. Exterior features are vehicle parking areas, roads, aircraft parking 

and taxiways, and a 90 ft. clear-span bridge. A fire suppression system (3 AFFF 

systems and 1 water system) are present at the shop.

The AASF #2 supports the Illinois Army National Guard (ILARNG). 

Access to the area is restricted to ILARNG. 

Main Hangar and Cold Storage Hangar test upon installation of the fire suppression system. Main Hangar 

had a full release of 400-gallons of 2% Jet-X HEF and the Cold Storage Hangar had a full release of 300-

gallons of Jet-X HEF. Both hangars had doors closed and foam went down the drains to the oil/water 

separator. 

Documented in interview documents

Greater Kankakee Airport, county jail and residental are adjacent. 

Greater Kankakee Airport

Page 1 of 4
Visual Site Inspection Checklist

1. Does the facility have a fire suppression system? Y / N

1a. If yes, indicate which type of AFFF has been used:

1b. If yes, describe maintenance schedule/leaks:

1c. If yes, how often is the AFFF replaced:

1d. If yes, does the facility have floor drains and where do they lead? Can we obtain an as built drawing?

Transport / Pathway Information

1. Does site/area drainage flow off installation? Y / N

1a. If so, note observation and location:

Surface water flows to the north towards the pond north of the facility boundary.

2. Is there channelized flow within the site/area? Y / N

2a. If so, please note observation and location: 

3. Are monitoring or drinking water wells located near the site? Y / N

3a. If so, please note the location: 

4. Are surface water intakes located near the site? Y / N

4a. If so, please note the location: 

5. Can wind dispersion information be obtained? Y / N

5a. If so, please note and observe the location.

N/A

6. Does an adjacent non-ARNG PFAS source exist? Y / N

6a. If so, please note the source and location.

6b. Will off-site reconnaissance be conducted? Y / N

Yes, Greater Kankakee Airport and the Township Firehouse are potential sources of PFAS ajacent to the 

AASF #2. 

Other Significant Site Features: 

Migration Potential:

The fire suppression systems have 2% Jet-X HEF tanks.

Hangar fire suppression system full release after installation in 2017

The fire suppression systems have one 300-gallon and one 400-gallon tank of 2% Jet-X HEF.

The floor drains lead to an oil/water separator then to a pond north of the facility boundary.

There are 26 domestic wells and 8 monitoring wells are located within 2 miles of the site.

Kankakee River is located 2 miles to the east of the site.

Page 2 of 4
Visual Site Inspection Checklist

1. Has the infrastructure changed at the site/area? Y / N

1a. If so, please describe change (ex. Structures no longer exist): 

2. Is the site/area vegetated? Y / N

2a. If not vegetated, briefly describe the site/area composition:

3. Does the site or area exhibit evidence of erosion? Y / N

3a. If yes, describe the location and extent of the erosion: 

4. Does the site/area exhibit any areas of ponding or standing water? Y / N

4a. If yes, describe the location and extent of the ponding: 

Receptor Information

1. Is access to the site restricted? Y / N

1a. If so, please note to what extent:

2. Who can access the site? 

2a. Circle all that apply, note any not covered above: 

3. Are residential areas located near the site? Y / N

3a. If so, please note the location/distance: 

Residents to the south 

4. Are any schools/day care centers located near the site? Y / N

4a. If so, please note the location/distance/type: 

5. Are any wetlands located near the site? Y / N

5a. If so, please note the location/distance/type: 

Significant Topographical Features: 

Site Workers / Construction Workers / Trespassers / Residential / Recreational 

Users / Ecological

The facility has controlled access

Page 3 of 4
Visual Site Inspection Checklist

Additional Notes

Photographic Log

Photo ID/Name

1

2

3

4

5

AFFF fire suppression system sprinkler system located in the 

hangar. 

These are the two 500-gallon tanks that hold 3% AFFF 

concentrate that supplies the hangar.

Date & Location

9/10/19, located inside a room in 

the hangar Halon and Purple K mobile fire extinguishers used on the flight line.

Mobile Halon fire extinguisher used on the flight line. 9/10/19, located inside a room in 

the hangar

9/10/19, located inside a room in 

the hangar

9/10/19, located inside a room in 

the hangar

9/10/19, located north of the 

hangar

Photograph Description

The near manholes lead to the oil/water separator while the far 

pair of manholes leads to the bypass tank.

Page 4 of 4
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

Appendix B.3

Conceptual Site Model Information
Preliminary Assessment – Conceptual Site Model Information

Site Name: Kankakee AASF #2

Why has this location been identified as a site?

Facility is an aviation support site with aircraft hangars, high probability of release due to asset type and 

historical site usage.

Are there any other activities nearby that could also impact this location?

Greater Kankakee Airport

Training Events

Have any training events with AFFF occurred at this site? No

If so, how often? All off-site training occurs at Fort McCoy which is located 11 miles west of Tomah, 

Wisconsin

How much material was used? Is it documented? unknown

Identify Potential Pathways: Do we have enough information to fully understand over land surface 

water flow, groundwater flow, and geological formations on and around the facility? Any direct 

pathways to larger water bodies?

Surface Water:

Surface water flow direction? To the north

Average rainfall? 39.13 inches

Any flooding during rainy season? No

Direct or indirect pathway to ditches? Direct to the pond located to the north of the site

Direct or indirect pathway to larger bodies of water? Indirect to the Kankakee River

Does surface water pond any place on site? No

Any impoundment areas or retention ponds? There is a pond on the north side.

Any NPDES location points near the site? Yes

How does surface water drain on and around the flight line? Surface water drains to the north on the 

northern half of the flight line and to the south on the southern half.

Groundwater:

Groundwater flow direction? To the southeast

Depth to groundwater? unknown

Uses (agricultural, drinking water, irrigation)? Not used.

Any groundwater treatment systems? None known

Any groundwater monitoring well locations near the site? There are several unknown wells to the within 

a two mile radius of the facility.
Preliminary Assessment – Conceptual Site Model Information

Is groundwater used for drinking water? Drinking water is supplied by the City of Kankakee which 

sources water from surface water of the Kankakee River, and via other lakes and rivers.

Are there drinking water supply wells on installation? No

Do they serve off-post populations? N/a

Are there off-post drinking water wells downgradient? There are several unknown wells to the within a 

two mile radius of the facility.

Waste Water Treatment Plant:

Has the installation ever had a WWTP, past or present? No

If so, do we understand the process and which water is/was treated at the plant? N/A

Do we understand the fate of sludge waste? N/A

Is surface water from potential contaminated sites treated? N/A

Equipment Rinse Water

1. Is firefighting equipment washed? Where does the rinse water go?

N/A

2. Are nozzles tested? How often are nozzles tested? Where are nozzles tested? Are nozzles cleaned after 

use? Where does the rinse water flow after cleaning nozzles?

N/a

3. Other?

Identify Potential Receptors:

Site Worker No

Construction Worker No

Recreational User Yes

Residential Yes

Child Yes

Ecological No

Note what is located near by the site (e.g. daycare, schools, hospitals, churches, agricultural, livestock)?

Airport, county jail, residential area

Documentation

Ask for Engineering drawings (if applicable). Has there been a reconstruction or changes to the drainage 

system? When did that occur? There is no known reconstruction to the AASF #2.
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF #2, Illinois

Appendix C

Photographic Log
Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF, Kankakee, Illinois PerfluorooctaneSulfonic Acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid 

(PFOA) Impacted Sites

ARNG Installations, Nationwide

AECOM

APPENDIX C – Photographic Log

Army National Guard, Preliminary

Assessment for PFAS Kankakee AASF #2 Illinois

Photograph No. 1

Description:

Fire suppression system 

sprinkler heads in the Main 

Hangar. 

Photograph No. 2

Description:

Trench drains in the Main 

Hangar that lead to an 

oil/water separator then to the 

stormwater system.
Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF, Kankakee, Illinois PerfluorooctaneSulfonic Acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid 

(PFOA) Impacted Sites

ARNG Installations, Nationwide

AECOM

APPENDIX C – Photographic Log

Army National Guard, Preliminary

Assessment for PFAS Kankakee AASF #2 Illinois

Photograph No. 3

Description:

The fire suppression system 

foam bladder tank that 

supplies the Main Hangar. 

Photograph No. 4

Description: 

Purple K fire extinguisher that 

are found on the ramp areas at 

the Kankakee AASF #2.
Preliminary Assessment Report

Kankakee AASF, Kankakee, Illinois PerfluorooctaneSulfonic Acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid 

(PFOA) Impacted Sites

ARNG Installations, Nationwide

AECOM

APPENDIX C – Photographic Log

Army National Guard, Preliminary

Assessment for PFAS Kankakee AASF #2 Illinois

Photograph No. 5

Description:

The fire suppression system 

foam bladder tank that 

supplies the Cold Storage 

Hangar.

Photograph No. 6

Description:

Two 55-gallon drums of 

2% Jet-X High Expansion 

Foam found in the Cold 

Storage Hanger fire 

suppression system room. 

There was no visible 

leaking or corrosion on the 

floor.