EUGENE, Ore. — Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) presented their next steps for addressing the cleanup of the J.H. Baxter site in the Bethel and Trainsong neighborhoods during a special meeting held Wednesday night at Cascade Middle School.

At the meeting, the EPA showcased the progress made since the site was added to the Superfund list.

For nearly 80 years, JH Baxter treated wood with industrial chemicals creosote and dioxins. The EPA says the contamination poses an “unacceptable risk” to both people and the environment.

EPA coordinator Randy Nattis said, “So what we have accomplished the last two years; well removed the major threat the chemicals are gone the facilities gone. They can’t do what they did over 80 years anymore it’s gone…and now it’s time to look at a longer term; well what’s left, where is it? Is it in a residential community is it in Amazon Creek? Is it under the surface is it under the ground water we don’t really know..but we know that it’s there so now it’s time to look at that longer term study to see where is it and what can we do about it.”

Residents were given the opportunity to ask questions about the cleanup process.

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The long-term investigation is now possible after the site was designated a Superfund, meaning the federal government has prioritized the J.H. Baxter site, allowing for federal funding and resources to ensure the surrounding communities are toxin-free.

The full cleanup is expected to take years, but officials say this is an important step. EPA are conducting a Time-Critical Removal Action, clearing out the most dangerous leftover chemicals and infrastructure.