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Toxic Waste Lingers: Cleanup Order Issued After Decades
6 May
Summary
- EPA ordered removal of over 230,000 cubic yards of toxic waste.
- Cancer clusters identified in communities near the contaminated site.
- Companies face significant civil penalties for non-compliance.
For nearly two decades, the San Jacinto River Waste Pits have been recognized as a heavily contaminated area. In the mid-1960s, hazardous material from nearby paper mills was dumped into pits carved into the watershed.
Recent health concerns have escalated, with state officials identifying a cancer cluster in communities surrounding the river last year. Longtime residents have tragically lost family members to cancer, attributing these deaths to living near the toxic waste pits.
In April 2026, the EPA issued a new order compelling International Paper and McGinnes Industrial Maintenance Corporation to excavate more than 230,000 cubic yards of toxic waste. The order stipulates that violations or non-compliance could result in daily civil penalties exceeding $71,000.
Both companies acknowledged receiving the order and stated they are reviewing its details, affirming their continued cooperation with the EPA's process. However, the order does not specify a clear timeline for the cleanup's commencement, leaving residents hopeful yet skeptical after years of unfulfilled promises.
