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Arlington Residents Invited to "Open House" To Learn More About Possible Ground Water Contamination Near J.H. Baxter Wood Treating Facility

Release Date: 4/19/2001
Contact Information: Kimberly Ogle
ogle.kimberly@epamail.epa.gov
(206) 553-0955

April 19, 2001 - - - - - - - - - - 01-011


For Immediate Release

EPA Proposes to Issue an Administrative Order On Consent(AOC)to Facility to Handle Stormwater, Monitor Ground Water Contamination & Begin Planning Cleanup

In an effort to protect drinking water in the city of Arlington, Washington, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to enter into an Administrative Order on Consent(AOC) with the J.H. Baxter & Company, a wood treater based in Arlington. A well that supplies the City of Arlington’s drinking water is located less than half a mile to the west of the facility, whose property is contaminated with pentachlorophenol and creosote from over 30 years of operation.

The proposed Order – authorized under federal hazardous waste regulations – requires the company to take additional measures to handle stormwater at the facility, test area drinking water wells and begin planning to clean up the 51 acre property.

“Open House” Scheduled for Monday (4/23) Night

To enable residents in the vicinity of the company to learn more about possible ground water contamination stemming from facility operations, the EPA and the Washington Department of Health are holding an informational “Open House” at the Stillaguamish Senior Center(18308 Smokey Point Blvd.) From 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Monday, April 23rd. Officials from the EPA, Washington Department of Health, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry will be on hand to answer questions and provide additional information about the Order and its requirements.Site History

J.H. Baxter & Company has operated a wood treatment facility on its property at 6520 188th Street NE, Arlington, Washington, since 1970. The company’s primary business is treating wood to produce utility poles. They are currently using pentachlorophenol (PCP) and oil solution to treat wood, but used creosote as well as PCP until around 1990. They also handle, store, treat, and dispose of solid waste & hazardous waste at the facility as part of normal business operations.

From 1960s until 1970, some of the company’s property had been used as a pole treatment plant by Ted Butcher, Inc., another wood treating company that apparently also used a solution of PCP and creosote to treat wood poles. Releases of PCP solution from company treating tanks were reported in March 1981 (1400 gallons), February 1989 (200 gallons), and January 1990 (2,000 gallons). The chemicals PCP and creosote are toxic and can cause human health risks when ingested, inhaled or absorbed.

Public & Private Wells To Be Tested

The area surrounding the company’s property is mixed residential, recreational and industrial. There is a residence surrounded on three sides by the company, residences across the railroad tracks and street to the east of the company, and residences directly to the north and southeast. There is also a mobile home park immediately to the northwest and a ball park just west company. Since private drinking water wells provide the source of water for many homes near the site, some area residents will be asked to have their wells tested.

Public Comment Sought

Those wishing to comment on the proposed agreement may do so by sending their written comments to :

Kimberly Ogle, EPA project Mgr.
U.S. EPA, Region 10
1200 Sixth Ave., WCM-126
Seattle, WA 98101
e-mail: ogle.kimberly@epa.gov

Written comments must be received by April 27, 2001. E-mailed comments must include your name and your mailing address.