EPA and DEQ Invite Eugene Community to Attend July 12 Public Meeting to Discuss JH Baxter Facility Cleanup and Investigation
SEATTLE (July 10, 2023) - Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will host a hybrid public meeting on Wednesday, July 12 to discuss the cleanup and investigation of the J.H. Baxter wood treating facility in west Eugene.
The meeting be held from 6-S p.m. at Willamette High School at 1801 Echo Hollow Road in Eugene. Those who cannot attend in person may participate via Zoom.
To join via Zoom:
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81674783423?pwd=TE10V2paRFd6aCt6K1FwMW9Mdm1mUT09
- Meeting ID: 816 7478 3423
- Passcode: JHBaxter
Background
J.H. Baxter stopped treating wood at the site in January 2022, but chemicals remain in tanks and contamination has not been addressed. Contamination from chemicals used to treat wood products, such as utility poles, is an ongoing concern for nearby neighborhoods. EPA has been assessing the status of the facility and investigating cleanup options while DEQ has been conducting residential soil sampling to determine where removal of contaminated soil may be needed.
Meeting agenda
- 5:30 p.m. -- Doors open
- 6:00-7:30 p.m. -- EPA and DEQ representatives will provide a brief history of the J.H. Baxter site, how EPA and DEQ have been involved to date, updates on recent facility and residential sampling efforts, and next steps in the cleanup.
- 7:30-8:00 p.m. Question-and-Answer session
A recording of the presentation will be available after the meeting on EPA' s You Tube channel.
Additional information about the J.H. Baxter Facility Cleanup and Investigation is available on the EPA Site Profile page and the ODEQ Project page.