The 31-acre site at 85 Baxter Street was an active wood treatment facility since the early 1940s until 2022. Historical spills and operational practices resulted in soil and groundwater contamination onsite and issues with air emissions and concerns from residents about odors and possible, related health effects.
Over the years, DEQ and the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency have investigated the facility and issued numerous enforcement actions and required cleanup measures. In October 2019, DEQ issued a cleanup plan, called a Record of Decision, which required this offsite sampling along with other cleanup actions onsite.
The results of the offsite sampling, including a location in the Bethel Neighborhood directly north of the facility, indicated elevated levels of dioxins, a group of toxic chemicals. In early 2022, the facility stopped all wood treatment activities and indicated to DEQ that they did not have the ability to pay for any additional offsite sampling or related cleanup work.
In 2022, following the suspension of activities at facility and the notice of their inability to continue work in support of the Record of Decision, DEQ declared the facility an Orphan Site. As an Orphan Site, DEQ proceeded to conduct additional offsite sampling and planning for removal of dioxin contaminated soil at residential properties. In May 2022, EPA began assisting with the offsite sampling. In 2023, preparation activities for residential soil cleanup was initiated and the first seven properties were cleaned up in 2024.
Oregon Health Authority reviewed these draft results and determined the levels do not represent a public health risk. However, the levels in those four samples are elevated above DEQ's standard residential cleanup levels so this means that the soils need to be further investigated to determine if corrective action and cleanup is needed.