LRAPA to hold hearing on J.H. Baxter wood treatment plant's air quality permit
The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency will hold a public hearing and comment period for the modification and renewal of J.H. Baxter & Co.'s air quality permit.
The agency will hold an information session at 5:30 p.m. on May 9 at the downtown Eugene Library Bascom/Tykeson Room, followed by a public hearing immediately after. LRAPA will provide information about the draft modification and renewal of the Baxter facility's air quality permit. Attendees will have opportunities to ask questions and provide comments, LRAPA said.
In December, J.H. Baxter applied for the renewal and modification of its air permit. The facility stopped all manufacturing of treated wood products in January 2022, but it continues to run an evaporator and a natural gas-fired boiler, LRAPA said.
Related: What's next for homes contaminated by the J.H. Baxter plant
The plant had operated since 1940 and has a history of environmental violations. Department of Environmental Quality oversaw testing in nearby soil in 2020 discovering a class of toxic compounds called dioxins in some.
New findings from the Oregon Health Authority show some homes near the plant in west Eugene have dioxin levels high enough to potentially harm children who were exposed to the soil and could contaminate eggs from chickens raised on it. DEQ formed a cleanup plan for seven contaminated yards around the former plant. The agency said it plans to pay for the upfront costs with expectations J.H. Baxter will later pay back the costs.
The renewed permit would remove all wood preservation equipment and activities from the permit, LRAPA said.
Read more: What residents should know from report on contamination near J.H. Baxter plant
The evaporator collects rainwater that has fallen into containment areas, and the gas-fired boiler provides steam to the evaporator, LRAPA said. The facility has been evaporating the rainwater that comes into contact with the former production and storage tanks, since it may mix with small amounts of preservation solution, LRAPA said. The facility is not allowed to discharge rainwater into the city of Eugene's industrial wastewater system, LRAPA said.
The evaporation process can release particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, greenhouse gases and hazardous air pollutants to the air, LRAPA said. The permit will limit these emissions and will not exceed the significant emission rate established by LRAPA, the agency said.
People may also submit written comments regarding the facility's air quality permit until 5 p.m. May 26. Questions or written comments should be submitted to permitting@lrapa.org or mailed to 1010 Main St., Springfield, OR., 97477.
For more information about the facility's permit renewal and modification, go to lrapa.org.
Makenzie Elliott covers breaking news and public safety for The Register-Guard. Reach her at MElliott@gannett.com. Find her on Twitter at @makenzielliott.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: LRAPA to hold hearing on J.H. Baxter plant's air quality
