DEQ calls for cleanup of J.H. Baxter site
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is recommending that J.H. Baxter cap an 11-acre portion of the 42-acre site at its facility, located at 85 Baxter Street in Eugene, Oregon. The proposed action would be an interim step pending a final cleanup investigation and decision on the entire site. The public is invited to comment on the proposal by September 26, 2007.
The cleanup action would consist of a placing a soil cap over approximately 11 acres of the 42-acre site. The purpose of the cap is to prevent direct contact by site workers with arsenic contaminated soil and to eliminate the potential for contaminated dust generation.
The J.H Baxter site consists of approximately 42 acres of industrial property. The site has been used for wood treatment, employing a variety of processes, since the early 1940s. Historical spills and material-handling practices have resulted in soil and groundwater contamination by chemicals including pentachlorophenol, creosote-related chemicals, arsenic, and other metals.
The proposed interim cleanup action applies only to the eastern 11 acres of the site. Contamination in this area of the site is primarily limited to arsenic in shallow soil. The arsenic contamination resulted from the storage of treated poles and timber. This 11-acre eastern portion does not contribute to groundwater contamination at the site. The groundwater plume at the site, which is comprised mainly of pentachlorophenol with no arsenic component, originates beneath the central and western portions of the site.
The proposed soil cap will consist of a geotextile fabric, over which 12 inches of clean fill will be placed. After the cap is complete, the capped area will be fenced off from the rest of the site and will not be used for pole or treated timber storage in the future. A deed restriction will be placed on the property requiring regular inspection and maintenance of the cap and fence. The deed restriction will prevent breaching of the cap in an uncontrolled manner.
(More/over)
While the proposed action is considered an interim cleanup action, it is likely that the final cleanup for this portion of the site will include the cap on this 11-acre area as described. Additional cleanup, including digging up highly contaminated soils, soil capping or asphalt paving, and groundwater treatment are likely to be required on the balance of the site. Evaluation of these treatment options and final remedy selection for the entire site is expected to occur in 2008.
For more information, files are available for review in DEQ's Eugene office located at 1102 Lincoln St., Suite 210, Eugene, Oregon 97401. Questions concerning this site or requests for an electronic copy should be directed to Geoff Brown at DEQ's Eugene office or by calling him at (541) 686-7819 or toll-free in Oregon at 1-800-844-8467 extension7819.
Written comments should be sent to Geoff Brown, Department of Environmental Quality, 1102 Lincoln St., Suite 210, Eugene OR 97401.
(Information provided by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality)
The cleanup action would consist of a placing a soil cap over approximately 11 acres of the 42-acre site. The purpose of the cap is to prevent direct contact by site workers with arsenic contaminated soil and to eliminate the potential for contaminated dust generation.
The J.H Baxter site consists of approximately 42 acres of industrial property. The site has been used for wood treatment, employing a variety of processes, since the early 1940s. Historical spills and material-handling practices have resulted in soil and groundwater contamination by chemicals including pentachlorophenol, creosote-related chemicals, arsenic, and other metals.
The proposed interim cleanup action applies only to the eastern 11 acres of the site. Contamination in this area of the site is primarily limited to arsenic in shallow soil. The arsenic contamination resulted from the storage of treated poles and timber. This 11-acre eastern portion does not contribute to groundwater contamination at the site. The groundwater plume at the site, which is comprised mainly of pentachlorophenol with no arsenic component, originates beneath the central and western portions of the site.
The proposed soil cap will consist of a geotextile fabric, over which 12 inches of clean fill will be placed. After the cap is complete, the capped area will be fenced off from the rest of the site and will not be used for pole or treated timber storage in the future. A deed restriction will be placed on the property requiring regular inspection and maintenance of the cap and fence. The deed restriction will prevent breaching of the cap in an uncontrolled manner.
(More/over)
While the proposed action is considered an interim cleanup action, it is likely that the final cleanup for this portion of the site will include the cap on this 11-acre area as described. Additional cleanup, including digging up highly contaminated soils, soil capping or asphalt paving, and groundwater treatment are likely to be required on the balance of the site. Evaluation of these treatment options and final remedy selection for the entire site is expected to occur in 2008.
For more information, files are available for review in DEQ's Eugene office located at 1102 Lincoln St., Suite 210, Eugene, Oregon 97401. Questions concerning this site or requests for an electronic copy should be directed to Geoff Brown at DEQ's Eugene office or by calling him at (541) 686-7819 or toll-free in Oregon at 1-800-844-8467 extension7819.
Written comments should be sent to Geoff Brown, Department of Environmental Quality, 1102 Lincoln St., Suite 210, Eugene OR 97401.
(Information provided by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality)
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