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J.H. Baxter - Time Critical Removal Action

 
Site Contact:
Randy Nattis
On Scene Coordinator

(nattis.randy@epa.gov)

Site Location:
85 Baxter St
Eugene, OR 97402
 response.epa.gov/JHBaxter

Site updates

This operational update covers only Section 2—response actions and planning information. For all other static information, please refer to Operational Period #1 in the document section of this website.

 

 

Operational Period 4: October 5 –October 11, 2026
Excavation continued within Zone 3, with approximately 1,288 cubic yards of contaminated material removed during the reporting week, bringing the cumulative excavation total to approximately 2,485 cubic yards. Oil continued to seep from exposed soils and accumulate in extraction pits and pooled groundwater. Work included continued NAPL and impacted-groundwater recovery, backfilling of the northern portion of the excavation, and beginning demolition of the former Shop Annex to provide access to contaminated soils.

EPA

  • Continued oversight of excavation, material segregation, liquid recovery, and backfill activities within Zone 3.
  • Evaluated field conditions as excavation exposed continued oil seepage from excavation sidewalls and oil-saturated soils near the former Shop Annex and pump house.
  • Continued evaluating the extent of contamination around former fuel-transfer infrastructure. Field observations identified piping connecting the pump house and tank farm as a potential source of oil contamination.
  • Advanced removal activities into areas requiring demolition of the former Shop Annex to access contaminated soils beneath and adjacent to the structure.

 

ERRS

  • Excavated approximately 1,288 cubic yards of contaminated material within Zone 3, bringing the cumulative excavation total for the current removal effort to approximately 2,485 cubic yards.
  • Removed overlying material identified as clean soil before excavating underlying contaminated material.
  • Segregated and staged excavated soils according to contamination density. Expanded contaminated-soil staging capacity beneath the west drip-pad cover and continued using covered staging space within the west-side barn.
  • Continued recovering oil and impacted groundwater from extraction pits and pooled areas within the excavation.
  • Pumped approximately 3,500 gallons of impacted groundwater. Recovered liquids passed through an oil-water separator, with water routed to a weir tank for accumulation before transfer to onsite frac tanks.
  • Backfilled an existing test pit following oil-recovery efforts and excavated another test pit closer to the southern end of the excavation on October 8. Floating oil (NAPL) was identified.
  • Continued excavation near the Shop Annex and pump house, exposing a storm drain surrounded by oil-saturated soils.
  • Placed a demarcation barrier in a portion of the Zone 3 excavation in preparation for backfill. Began gravel backfilling in the northern portion of the excavation.
  • Began demolition of the former Shop Annex to provide access to contaminated soils. Demolition remained in progress.
  • Staged removed metal for recycling.

 

START

  • Conducted daily air monitoring for volatile organic compounds and particulates at AM03, AM07, AM08, AM10, and AM11.
  • Supported oversight of excavation and segregation of removed soils into appropriate waste streams.
  • Documented excavation progress, oil seepage, test-pit conditions, demolition, and backfill activities through photographic records and excavation mapping.
  • Updated excavation and water-management quantity logs.

 

USCG Pacific Strike Team

  • Two USCG personnel were reported onsite during the operational period. Specific activities were not detailed in the START weekly summary.

2.1.3 Progress Metrics



Materials Management

Operational Period 4

Cumulative*

Contaminated material excavated

1,288 cubic yards

2,485 cubic yards

Impacted water recovered and managed onsite

3,500 gallons

8,100 gallons

*Cumulative quantities reflect the excavation and water-recovery effort beginning in September 2026. Water quantities do not represent a separately measured volume of recovered NAPL.

Excavation and backfill by day

 

 

2.2 Planning Section

 

 

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities:
Operational Period 4: October 12–18, 2026

  • Continue excavation within Zone 3, adjusting excavation sequencing and backfill timing based on subsurface conditions and liquid-recovery needs.
  • Continue recovering NAPL and impacted groundwater from extraction pits and pooled areas, modifying recovery arrangements as excavation progresses.
  • Continue managing recovered liquids through the oil-water separator and onsite tank system.
  • Begin collecting water samples from the extraction pits and soil samples along excavation boundaries.
  • Begin air sampling within the material-storage and soil-stockpile areas, within the excavation area, and along the site fence-line perimeter.
  • Continue Shop Annex demolition as needed to provide access to contaminated soils beneath and adjacent to the structure.
  • Evaluate exposed drainage and former fuel-transfer piping to guide excavation and management of associated contaminated material.
  • Continue placing demarcation barriers and backfilling selected excavated areas.
  • Continue managing contaminated-soil staging capacity and segregating materials into appropriate waste streams.
  • Continue routine air monitoring and field documentation to support excavation and material-management decisions.

 

2.2.2 Next Steps / Long-Term Planning

EPA will evaluate continued NAPL accumulation and groundwater recovery to determine whether additional or modified recovery systems are warranted during the removal action. Excavation observations will inform excavation limits and management of contaminated material around former structures, drainage features, and fuel-transfer piping.

 

EPA will direct test pits throughout the west size of zone 3 to identify contaminated soils and evaluate groundwater and NAPL impacts.

 


Zone 3 - Beginning backfill from the northern portion of the zone 3 excavation area Zone 3 - Test pit identified floating oils on groundwater Zone 3 - digging another test pit closer to the south end of the excavation area. Zone 3 - closing up a test pit after all possible oil was pumped from it and preparing for backfill Zone 3 - south end of excavation agancent to the shop / annex / pump house - exposed storm drain surrounded with oil saturated soils. Continued demolition of shop / annex Continued demolition of Shop / Annex Zone 3 - Shop / Annex - beginning demolition to gain access to contaminated soils Zone 3 - Chasing oil seeps from excavation site Zone 3 - removal of clean soils prior to contaminated soil removal Zone 3 - Pump house Zone 3 - Shop Annex / pump house - fuel pipes leading from the pump house to the tank farm Shop Annex and pump station - This area is where fuel oils were offloaded by rail and pumped into tank. Many of the pipes are underground and are likely the source of the fuel oils seeping within the soils Removed metal staged for recycling West side barn excavation soil staging area West side barn excavation soil staging area South end of Zone 3 excavation area - soil profile and oil seeping out of the side walls. Zone 3 - Extraction pit #1 - Oil continues to fill in which is then pumped out. Zone 3 - dripping oils (bunker, diesel) from the side walls of the excavation area. Zone 3 - dripping oils from side walls of the excavation area 10/4 - Zone 3 excavation area Expanding excavated contaminated soil staging area under the west drip pad cover Zone 3 - Excavation - Former spray pond area looking west Zone 3 - NAPL extraction pit recharge (morning) Zone 3 - NAPL extraction pit Zone 3 - exploratory pit at the bottom of the contaminated soil excavation identifying a gravel / river rock layer around 14 ft bgs with NAPL Excavated gravels containing NAPL from zone 3 - 14 ft bgs Zone 3 - exploratory hole to identify contaminated soils at depth (10 ft) within the former spray pond area. Zone 3 - Unearthed piping running along the edge of the spray pond area. Pipes were full and the soils around the pipes were saturated. Zone 3 - Removal of backfill and concrete from the spray pond area Oil saturated soils exposed during initial excavations. These soils were directly under the former secondary containment removed during the original TCRA. Zone 3 - removal of the backfill installed during the original TCRA and exposing buried concrete, pipes, and other impingements to be removed Zone 3 - removing the backfill installed during the original TCRA Water treatment and storage area. Water collected from excavations will run through this system and be sampled and stored. Water collection, treatment, and storage of excavated areas. Zone 3 - NAPL saturated soils from 2 - 6 ft below ground surface (bgs) Zone 3 - uncovered pipes heading west out of the former secondary containment area. Zone 3 - buried piping exposed during excavations. Pipes were full and leaking. Exposed vault during excavations. Vault acted as a conveyance to move Non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) below the surface soils. Zone 3 - excavated area within zone 3. Excavations will continue to chase the contamination to the south (right of this photo). Equipment mobilization Area of operations - Zones 2 and 3 Setting up the command post The final metal cleaning in preparation of metal recycling. Stabilization and solidification activities for the sludges removed from the bottom of the frac tanks All the Stabilized and Solidified sludges have been transported off site for T&D Frac tank clean up material being mixed with perlite for solidifying and stabilization activities. Rolloff boxes loaded for disposal Truck loading up solidified and stabilized sludges rolloff boxes for offsite disposal. Loaded rolloff boxes with solidified and stabilized sludges staged for transportation and disposal Entry team inside frac tank during clean out operations. Frac tank prior to clean out Entry, rescue, and support teams preparing for cleanout operations. Air monitoring operations to ensure air quality within the frac tanks remain below unsafe levels in support of the clean out operations Rescue team observing the entry team during the clean out operations Frac tank clean out - this material dropped out of the liquids that was pumped out of the tanks during the demolition of the tank farm Frac tank clean out - confined space / level B work Post TCRA final view - Pano 02 - looking east Post TCRA final view - looking east 06 After TCRA operations - The boiler room (DU04) was removed after this image was captured (looking west) Before TCRA operations - looking southwest from DU02 to DU03 Before TCRA operations - looking south from DU02 to DU03 RCRA contaminated metal staged for disposal within the westside barn. Metal staged for recycling / disposal in the westside barn Former area used to stage RCRA metal debris. The material has been moved and secured with the west side barn Metal / tanks staged for cleaning and recycling activities. RCRA debris and ACZA sludges staged in rolloffs boxes and prepared for offsite Transportation and Disposal (T&D). Looking East - All demolition operations have been completed. F032 - Stabilized and Solidified (S/S) sludges (~900 tons) secured and staged for disposal Frac tanks containing WS 5.0 water 50/50 Creo/Penta low BTU - staged for disposal Staged RCRA debris Looking east towards the main drip pad. Looking towards the west from under the main drip pad. Metal cutting Consolidation S/S sludge storage area Empty Frac tanks being decontaminated Both evaporators running and frac tanks storing process water Liquid waste purged from evaporators during maintenance. Wood debris from demolished structures staged for recycling/disposal. Solidified waste after being consolidated in storage building. Demolition of the Boiler Room (DU04) A wide view of the tank farm area after all areas had been back filled. The sidewall of the sump after the concrete was removed, dark staining is visible about 2 feet BGS with a very strong smell of pentachlorophenol. EPA collecting a soil sample from a test pit adjacent to a retort sump for characterization. EPA cutting up a retort for disposal. The sump from underneath the former Retort 81. The area was roughly 20 feet bgs. Once the containment was removed, contaminated soils were revealed. A view of the outside of the Boiler room - much of the building has been compromised due to pipes and other appurtenances that penetrated the shell of the building. Retort 83 - a look behind the retort inside the Boiler room. The building with be demolished and removed prior to the removal of the remainder of the retort A look down to the sub basement within the Boiler room. Trenching of DU03 to collect and remove contaminated water beneath the soils Beginning of demolition activities of the former spray pond Retort 83 over top of the sub basement within the Boiler room. Piping and other appurtenances in the sub basement underneath Retort 83 inside the boiler room. Main drip pad looking east with stages RCRA debris prepared for T&D Main drip pad looking east. Testing of the 2nd evaporator Demolition of the formal spray pond - looking west south west West wall of the formal spray pond. Roughly 5 feet bgs there is a Pentachlorophenol saturated layer of soils The final clean out of the sub-basement beneath Retort 83 inside the Boiler room A view into the DU04 during the boiler removal. The boilers were removed using metal rollers. Containment under the retorts being removed while ensuring structural integrity of the drip pad roof Second evaporator in place next. View of remaining segment of Retort 83 which is situated inside of boiler room. UAS photo collected by USCG> Aerial image of secondary containment footprint after removal of Retorts 81-84. UAS photograph collected by USCG. Crews cutting final exterior segment of Retort 83. UAS photo collected by USCG. UAS image collected by USCG of Retort 81 being dismantled with sections being staged in work area. A portion of Retort 81 being removed with an excavator. Crews hot cutting and dismantling Retort 81. Process water and sludges accumulate in the containment areas of the retorts during rain events View of the remainder of Retort 82 Concrete from DU02 and DU03 is used to temporarly fill in the contaminate voids allowing equipment to access cut sections of the retort for physical removal. Retort 82 removal operations. Crew is supporting the above hazards with equipment while the Retort is cut for removal DU03 - backfilled and regraded DU02 - backfilled and regraded Retort demolition activities - EPA contractor removing the door frame around Retort 82 Retort demolition activities - Thethickness of the retort metal varies between 1 inch and 1 1/2 inch thick and requires a plasma torch to cut through the thick metal. Retort demolition activities - Retorts are cut between 8 and 12 foot half moon sections prior to removal. Retort demolition activities - Retort 82 being cut into movable sections. DU01 - former containment backfill and regrading completed DU01 - former containment demolition activities DU01 - former containment backfilling operations. The groundwater was sampled prior to backfilling. A layer of 6-mil dura skrim was placed as a barrier between the soil and the clean backfill material. DU01 - former containment backfilling operations, clean concrete was used to return the area back to grade prior to being covered with a layer of 6-mil dura skrim. DU01 - former containment backfilling operations. Gravel and clay being placed over 6-mil dura skrim to shed as a water barrier. Retort 85 sections being removed for cleaning / recycling. Retort 81 door removal operation Retort 85 removed with the secondary containment remaining. This area is a source of F032 process water DU01 secondary containment removal completed T-16, T-17, and T-18 staged for sizing, cleaning, and recycling. Crossing between DU02 and DU03 filled and brought to grade RCRA Debris - DU03 secondary containment material staged for disposal DU03 - Removed secondary containment DU03 - profile cross section view of the secondary containment. Daylighting oily water from an area where DU03 secondary containment was removed. DU03 - potholing where daylighted oil water was identified. The area immediately filled with viscous oily water. The water was sampled and the area was backfilled and covered. Retort abatement completed and containment removed DU03 - a second area within DU03 was potholed and very quickly it filled in with oily water. This area did not daylight surface water. DU03 sludgy soils excavated during potholing activities. DU03 - backfilling and stabilization activities in DU03. Removal activities of T-16, T-17, T-18. EPA demolishing the north tank farm secondary containment. EPA removing tank T-17. EPA digging a test pit after to assess soil contamination under the secondary containment. The demolished secondary containment concrete is being stage under the dover of a drip pad while it awaits disposal. EPA demolishing the secondary containment in the north tank farm. The Encon evaporator set up with antifoaming agent and insulated from overnight freezing temperatures Bunker C being mixed with sawdust and perlite Cleaned metal staged for recycling A before and after looking of the enclosure built for the asbestos abatement. The strucural integrity of the enclosure is checked every morning prior to any abatement work. EPA solidifying the Bunker C fuel on site with a combination of saw dust and pearlite. Asbestos workers abating the asbestos on one of the retorts. EPA manually scraping tanks parts as part of the cleaning process EPA cutting tanks into small sections for cleaning. EPA disassembling T9. An overview of the evaporator operations. An overview of the site. Only a few tanks currently remain. EPA removing the sludge from T4. Abatement crews setting up a roll-off inside the containment. All asbestos is being handled and bagged inside the containment. Once the roll-off is full, it is prepared for transport and closed up prior to pulling it out of the containment. Asbestos containment area - east side looking west - Entrance / decontamination and monitoring area Asbestos containment area - Inside Asbestos containment area - west side looking east Containment structure completed over retorts prior to abatement activities. Retort containment entrance. Evaporator installed beneath roofline of retort drip pad. Crews construct scaffolding for retort containment. A before and after of the secondary containment in the retort area after cleaning in preparation for building the asbestos enclosure. A before and after photo of the North Tank farm area. The start of the negative air enclosure being built to safely abate the asbestos covering the retorts on site. The evaporator that will be used to eliminate the process water on site. EPA sampling unlabeled chemical containers Sunset over JH Baxter EPA conducting the hazard classification procedure on the unknown chemicals found on site. A manometer containing elemental mercury. Removal of the Marley, which was the fixed evaporator which was used during the wood treatment operations by JH Baxter. During demolition, workers notices that much of the Marley was clogged up with debris and likely wasn't functioning as expected. Close up of the sludge stabilization effort within the retort containment areas Preparation for ACM activities to include air monitoring in support of worker health and safety. workers removing sludges and other contaminated material from underneath the retorts in advance of the ACM abatement activities. all overhead piping have been removed from DU03. In the background is DU04 (boiler room) preparations for retort abatement. Sludges have been removed and pumped and other non ACM retort devices being removed More staged metal prepared for recycling Clean metal staged for recycling Perlite in sacks used for sludge stablization sludge and remaining liquids in T-03 trenching to bring in a natural gas line to supply the Encon evaporator Preparations to removal non ACM prior to abatement activities Inside of T-1 with remaining sludges on the bottom Remaining overheads pipes within DU03 Removal of sludges from T-33 Cracks identified within the floor of the DU03 secondary containment. Outside of T-01 - entry port cut into the tank for removal of sludges and decontamination area in front Seam cracks identified within the floor of the DU03 secondary containment. Seam cracks running the length of the DU03 secondary containment Torching of T-01 for removal Sized and sorted items removed from DU02. Uncovered piping trench traversing between DU02 and DU03 tank farms. View of DU02 during OP 18. Torch-cutting piping in DU02. EPA conducting asbestos abetment activities. Asebstos containing paneling is removed from the tank and methodically wrapped in plastic prior to being place in a lined roll off for disposal. EPA Cutting the conctrete of the secondary containment in DU01. The area was then covered in plasctic sheeting to limit the contaminated contact water that will be need to be treated. EPA conducting level B operations to remove arsenic acid sludge from a tank. Strike Team is seen observing and acting as a safety backup for the operation. T-01 post ACM abatement activities. Liquid settling out of ACZA sludge. T-07 post abatement activities. Non-ACM fiberglass insulation begin removed to prep tank for demolition. Air monitoring location set up near on site operations. Solid and Oil removal post non ACM pipe removal using hot pressure water. This process should improve the quality of the rainwater that will require on site treatment. Water extraction area for water treatment system cleaning cut pipes prior to being removed from DU03 and staged for disposal / recycling Air Monitoring location between DU02 and DU03. Equipment is protected from rain North section of DU03 - continued removal of non ACM pipes in advance of ACM abatement work Hot work / cutting and removing non ACM pipes in DU03 in preparation for ACM abatement Sections of DU02 covered to reduce cross contamination north section of DU03 being prepared for ACM abatement T-07 and T-02 - before ACM abatement welding the HDPE piping for the water treatment system welding the HDPE piping for the water treatment system Cutting and removing walkways in advance of the asbestos abatement activities removing tank support structures in advance of the asbestos abatement activities Lower portion of R-85 being removed to allow access to sump. Sludge remaining after liquid/softer sludges removed from T-12. T-12 prepared for additional removal of solidified sludge. Large port cut into tank to accommodate large equipment. Removal crew prepares to make level B entry and remove liquid waste. Solidified sludge stockpile. Water treatment plant equipment. View of containment area of T 36, 25 and 35. Removing ladder assembly from Tank 50. Removing sludge from Tank 51. Removing Tank 25. Cutting Tank 25 with the plasma torch. Area between Tank 10 and Tank 11. Eye wash station staged between DU02 and DU03. Tanks 24, 27, 26, and 26 prior to removal. Retort 85 during demolition. Water is being used to extishish sparks at cutting takes place. Tank 23 and Tank 11. Tank 11 is being prepared for removal. Tank 26 - sludge being removed using the Vac/truck/air mover prior to being extracted by the crane. Tank 24 laid on its size after being removed from DU02. The tank is being moved to make space for additional tanks to be removed. Tank 24 being lifted from DU02. Tank 26 being laid down after being removed from DU02. T-34 in the process of being removed from DU02 by the Crane. Tank 36 upper section being lifted and removed from DU02 by the Crane Moving tank 38 from the secondary containment area across the site where it will be staged for decontamination and disposal. ERRS using a plasma torch to remove the top of Retort 85. ERRS using a plasma torch to remove the top of retort 85. Retort 85 after the first top section was removed. Bottom section of T-20 prior to deconstruction. USCG personnel assists EPA with humane rescue of remaining feral cats at Site. Crane being used to removed T-20a in one piece. Tank staged in dry barn where it will be decontaminated and deconstructed prior to recycling. Crane operators preparing to begin demolition of tanks in Zone 1. Beginning to lay down the hose to pump AZCA from the North tank farm into the Frac tanks ACZA Frac tank farm - 120,000 gallons of capacity The former dry shed and secondary tram storage area will be used for tanks to be placed once removed from the tank farm and processed for disposal EWEB completing the removal of the overhead power lines next to zone 1 in preparation of demo activities Cutting of T-15 in preparation on tank removal USCG assisting with the capture of the feral cat colony on site. EPA is working with the Greenhill Humane Society to get the cats basic veterinary care, spayed/neutered, and rehomed. OSC Nattis giving a tour of the JH Baxter Site. The carbon filtration unit that had previously self ignited when shut down. Regional Administrator Casey Sixkiller discussing the site during a press conference on Sept. 17th. EPA transferring penta/creo contaminated water to vac truck for transportation and disposal at waste facility. The signage for the rail spur after being installed to meet DOT specifications. EPA removing non ACM covered overhead piping in preparation for tank deconstruction in Zone 1 Before and After of the natural gas line which was capped to eliminate the natural gas from Zone 1 Aerial view of facility facing east. USCG providing cat rescue support. The cats will be humanly trapped and brought to a local human society where they will be cared for and re-homed. Inside view of T20-B after contents removed. Preparation of Retort 85 for door removal on west end of retort. Air monitoring station located near T-11. Equipment deployed beneath covered area due to heavy rainfall. Preparations being made prior to confined space entry. Entry being made to clean out sludge from air mover vacuum truck prior demobilizing the equipment. USCG conducts air monitoring prior to permitted confined space entry. Entry necessary to clean out sludge pockets and complete decontamination of EPA removing non asbestos containing insultation from tanks. EPA solidifying sludge. Super sacks of pearlite are released from the bottom into the rock box, then sludge is added on top. The excavator then uses its bucket to mix the two until its solidified. EPA removing sludge from a penta tank. ERRS testing the solidification of sludge using a pearlite solidification matrix. The solidification pit prior to installing the rock box that will be used for mixing. The pit was lined with poly sheeting to prevent any leaks from further impacting the soils below. EPA pumping liquid pentachlorophenol waste from a tank in DU01 into a truck for transport and disposal. The subsurface contamination identified while excavating the solidification area. Soil smelled of creosote. Metal flashing as been removed, exposing underlying fiberglass insulation prior to removal. Crews use boom lifts and telehandlers to remove metal flashing and fiberglass insulation from tanks in preparation of liquid waste removal and demolition. Port installed in the access panel of Tank 20. The port will be used to remove liquid waste from the cone shaped bottom of the tank using a Fiberglass insulation removal from Tank 25. Liquid waste being pumped out of Retort 81 into vacuum truck. ERRS offloading pentachlorophenol from tank 20 into a truck for transportation and disposal. The rail spur in the process of being adjusted to make it meet the required specifications. Offloading liquid pentachlorophenol waste for transport and disposal. View from the south tank farm, looking north Railspur uncovered for evaluation for repair. The Railspur will be used for T&D activities ERRS collecting material from tank 20 for T&D properties


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