J.H. Baxter ran a wood-treatment facility in West Eugene, Oregon from 1943 until January 2022. The facility used creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP) to treat wood products. Both chemicals contaminated the soil and groundwater at the site and in surrounding neighborhoods. EPA added the site to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in July 2025, with support from the state of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. NPL listing enables comprehensive cleanup and access to federal Superfund funding.
Creosote and PCP are the primary contaminants of concern. They have affected soil and groundwater both on the facility property and at nearby residential properties in Eugene's Bethel neighborhood. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality addressed seven of those nearby properties in 2024 by excavating contaminated soil and replacing it with clean soil.
EPA began a time-critical removal action in 2024 to demolish structures and remove tanks and chemicals from the facility. That work was completed on February 13, 2026, with all site trailers and equipment cleared from the property. From February 2 to 12, 2026, EPA also conducted focused sampling at the facility. That sampling included deep soil borings under the tank farm, surface soil samples across the site, and stormwater samples. Results are expected in May 2026. If the results show more contamination that needs to be addressed and funding is available, EPA may conduct an additional removal action focused on contaminated soil at the facility in summer 2026.
The long-term cleanup is moving through the standard Superfund process. EPA is conducting a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) to evaluate the nature of contamination and possible cleanup options. After the RI/FS is complete, EPA will release a Proposed Plan describing its preferred cleanup method and accept public comments. EPA will then select a final cleanup remedy and publish it in a Record of Decision, after which remedial cleanup work will begin.
Community members who want more information or to stay involved can contact the EPA Community Involvement Coordinator.
