The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has openly accepted the addition of the J.H. Baxter site in west Eugene to the Superfund National Priorities List by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, acknowledging the move as a critical step towards addressing the environmental and public health risks posed by dioxin contamination. DEQ Director Leah Feldon lauded the EPA’s action, noting in a statement cited by the DEQ, “We thank EPA for securing the resources needed to further address the risks to public health and the environment in Eugene created by dioxins from J.H. Baxter.”
The EPA will take charge in cleaning up the site and is tasked with determining the full range and scope of the contamination, although the DEQ has already executed cleanup operations…..