The Joseph Forest Products site covers about 18 acres roughly one mile northwest of Joseph, Oregon. It operated as a wood-treating facility from 1974 to 1985. A fire destroyed the treatment building and released chromated copper arsenate preservative into the soil. Poor management practices made things worse, spreading contamination into soil, sludge, surface water, and groundwater. EPA added the site to the Superfund National Priorities List in March 1989.
Seven metals were identified as contaminants of concern: arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, vanadium, and zinc. All seven were found in soil, groundwater, and buildings or structures at the site. People could have been exposed by drinking contaminated groundwater, contacting contaminated soil or sediment, or inhaling windblown dust carrying those metals.
EPA carried out two removal actions to address the contamination. In fall 1991, crews excavated about 1,068 tons of highly contaminated soil near the treatment building. In spring 1993, workers demolished the treatment building, decontaminated equipment and underground storage tanks, removed asbestos, and disposed of contaminated soil and debris offsite. Construction was complete by September 1993. EPA deleted the site from the National Priorities List in November 1999 after cleanup goals were met. The site achieved sitewide ready for anticipated reuse status in September 2020.
Today, human exposure is under control. All required land-use restrictions are in place, and ongoing monitoring addresses subsurface contamination in the drip pad area. EPA conducts five-year reviews to confirm the cleanup stays protective. Reviews were completed in 1998, 2003, 2008, 2014, 2019, and 2024. The most recent 2024 review confirmed that conditions remain safe and past cleanup measures continue to work as intended. A resident on an adjacent property currently uses the site to pasture cows.
Community members with questions can contact the Remedial Project Manager. The Community Involvement Coordinator is also available for inquiries.
