J.H. Baxter & Co.: Stop Dumping Toxic Waste

Hazardous waste has been linked to cancer, birth defects for babies, chronic illness, and even death. Thanks to J.H. Baxter, these risks are a potential reality for every family in Eugene, Oregon.
        
J.H Baxter & Co. is a wood preserving company. The company has been fined more than $200,000 for allegedly illegally disposing of toxic chemicals – including creosote and arsenic. It uses these chemicals in the wood treatment process – and by not following the law, they polluted local water supplies in Eugene. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality believes that, on at least two occasions, the storm water treatment pond at the Eugene, Oregon plant overflowed with untreated storm water which flowed into the Amazon Creek. The company was also charged $64,000 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency which required Baxter to construct new berms and drainage systems when storing toxic waste in order to ensure that toxins do not seep into the ground.

We demand that J.H. Baxter

• creates and timelines an actionable plan to reduce current and future pollutants and waste.
• infrastructures to reduce waste in the future.
• creates an advisory committee with at least 50 number of community members and regulatory experts who will sign off on their plan.
• must be transparent regarding how it treats and disposes of waste.
• releases an annual report regarding its practices and performance in meeting goals to reduce pollution.             

We must hold them accountable, or multiple generations of families will suffer the consequences of their complete disregard for laws and humanity. Lives are at risk, as is the viability of Eugene as a safe choice to live or raise a family. Individuals need to rise up and let them know this is not okay. We implore you to join the cause and sign our petition today. This community needs us to stand up. J.H. Baxter owes us solutions for those who have been impacted, and a plan to never allow this to occur again. Either J. H. Baxter takes responsibility for releasing hazardous chemical waste, or they can take their business elsewhere.