EPA v. J.H. Baxter, Inc.

Case summary

On August 27, 2018, Region 10 filed a Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) with J.H. Baxter, Inc. (Baxter) to address Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) violations at its facility in Eugene, Oregon. The facility is a wood preserving operation and stored and disposed of hazardous wastes without obtaining a permit or complying with conditions applicable to hazardous waste generators. Among the violated conditions, Baxter failed to maintain a curb or berm around the perimeter of a drip pad, failed to adequately clean a drip pad, failed to comply with their Drippage Contingency Plan, and failed to label and date a container of hazardous waste. They also failed to submit a closure plan and to develop a cost estimate for closure. As a result of this action, Baxter improved the berm around the drip pad and agreed to improve their general housekeeping and cleaning procedures to prevent potential releases of hazardous waste. They also agreed to work with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to ensure that long-term cleanup plans and cost estimates are developed specific to the violations in this enforcement action. Under the terms of the agreement, Baxter agreed to pay a penalty of $64,000.

Defendants (1)

• J.H. Baxter, Inc.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• J H BAXTER AND COMPANY

  85 BAXTER ST, EUGENE, OR, 97402

  Registry ID: 110000488295

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3002 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• J.H. Baxter, Inc.entered 2018-08-27

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $64,000

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2018-07-28Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2018-08-27Final Order Issued
• 2018-08-27Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2020-04-06Enforcement Action Closed