The J.H. Baxter Saga
After years of community organizing, a major polluter is shut down
After decades of polluting West Eugene neighborhoods, creosote manufacturer J.H. Baxter abandoned operations in January 2022, facing extensive fines from the Department of Environmental Quality and plenty of public backlash.
Since then, government agencies and local organizations have been working together to assess and remediate contamination at the site and surrounding areas.
Latest Update
On July 16, 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency hosted a community meeting to discuss J.H. Baxter, which has newly earned a Superfund site designation on the National Priorities List. This latest update signifies a new chapter in the J.H. Baxter story: Remediation is on the horizon, but will take time.
At the meeting, EPA representatives reviewed work that has already been completed at the site to start the most urgent cleanup needs. Earlier this year, EPA performed “Time Critical Removal Action” to remove toxic sludge and waste, demolish tanks, and dispose of contaminated materials. Dozens of retorts, sheds, and buildings no longer exist and the land has been backfilled and regraded.
During the meeting, attendees expressed concern about their own health and wondered what more could be done. “Tonight, we’re celebrating,” said Arjorie Arberry-Baribeault, Beyond Toxics Community Organizer. "This is what we wanted. So I hear the fear. I hear the anxiety. I hear the anger. But it's directed at the wrong people, because these people did it. We did it!”
Next Steps
EPA performs a Remedial Investigation & Feasibility Study
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The investigation includes a Human Health Risk assessment and Environmental Risk Assessment
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Soil sampling will continue to determine the boundary of the Superfund Site beyond the J.H. Baxter property line
These inform the Proposed Plan for cleanup, which will be open for public comment upon completion.
EPA creates a Community Involvement Plan
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EPA will interview community members and create a plan for involvement. This plan will be open for public comment as well.
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Community meetings will be held throughout the process
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Opportunity to apply for a Technical Assistance Grant, to hire a technical advisor to review plans & reports
Before TCRA operations - looking southwest
Before TCRA operations - looking south
After TCRA operations - the boiler room was removed after this image was captured (looking west)
Post TCRA final view - looking east
Earlier this Year
In January 2025, we learned that the company and its president Georgia Baxter-Krause pleaded guilty to charges of illegally treating hazardous waste and making false statements to regulatory agencies. She and the company agreed to pay $1.5 million in criminal fines, and would receive a federal prison sentence on April 22, which happened to be Earth Day.
Beyond Toxics joined West Eugene community members at the Lane County Federal Courthouse that Earth Day to witness the sentencing.
While the sentencing and fines feel like a slap on the wrist for a president and company that had been operating for 80 years, there is a silver lining: Baxter saw some accountability, and the community is receiving the help it needs to begin to heal.
There are currently two class-action lawsuits awaiting trial in the U.S. District Court.
A Brief Timeline of the J.H. Baxter Saga
2004: Lane Regional Air Protection Agency logs more than 700 complaints from 100 households alleging sickness from fumes coming from J.H. Baxter.
2007: A three-year study encompassing 14,694 West Eugene households finds a pattern of lung cancer and acute leukemia near J.H. Baxter.
2018: J.H. Baxter fined for mishandling and improper storage of hazardous waste.
2019: J.H. Baxter found responsible for release of hazardous levels of naphthalene, a chemical commonly used in wood treatment.
2020: Beyond Toxics launches pilot air quality study with Oregon State University Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health Research.
2021: DEQ fines J.H. Baxter for hazardous waste and water quality violations.
2022: Air quality study concludes with data showing elevated levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), known air pollutants found in creosote which is used to treat wood.
January 2022: J.H. Baxter ceases operations, citing an inability to pay for site cleanup or additional testing. Oregon DEQ declares J.H. Baxter an Orphan Site.
January 2024: DEQ begins cleanup of residential properties in West Eugene.
April 2025: J.H. Baxter President Georgia Baxter-Krause pleads guilty to criminal charges and is sentenced to 90 days in federal prison.
July 2025: J.H. Baxter site added to EPA National Superfund Priority List.
Beyond Toxics and West Eugene Community members are continuing to advocate for Public Health Standards, to protect future generations of Eugenians from having to deal with similar situations.
Recent News
January 2025
Eugene’s J.H. Baxter & Co. faces federal criminal charges
J.H. Baxter pleads guilty to felony environmental crimes at Eugene plant
J.H. Baxter and its president plead guilty to environmental violations, lying to federal regulators
J.H. Baxter guilty plea to lead to $1.5 million fine, jail time for company president
Guilty plea in JH Baxter criminal case. A 'victory' years in the making for residents
April 2025
President of J.H. Baxter fined, sentenced to 90 days in jail
JH Baxter President gets 90 days for environmental violations, fined $1.5 million
J.H. Baxter fined $1M, president sentenced for environmental crimes
July 2025
J.H. Baxter becomes Superfund site
'I couldn't believe it': Community sees J.H. Baxter mess up close but plume stays out of sight
Critical cleanup of J.H. Baxter Superfund Site almost done; now comes the rest (PHOTOS)
Locals gather to learn the future of J.H. Baxter plant as a Superfund site
Next stage of cleanup outlined for J.H. Baxter Superfund site in Eugene
October 2025
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