The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a community public meeting to report on the status of the clean-up of the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site (SJRWPSS) on September 8, 2026.  The EPA has required the responsible parties, International Paper Company and McGinnes Industrial Maintenance Corporation, a part of Waste Management, fully clean-up both north and south waste pits.

EPA reviewed how dioxin and other wastes, which contaminate Galveston Bay and the communities of Highlands and Channelview, wound up in the San Jacinto River and Galveston Bay.  The clean-up action for the south waste pit has been completed with the removal of 10 feet of contaminated soil (150,000 tons of material), treatment of 1.4 million gallons of water, and placement of new soil in the south waste pit.

An operation and maintenance plan, with institutional controls, is being prepared and there is a requirement that no residences can be built on the site. Only industrial and commercial uses are allowed on the site.

Implementation of the north pits clean-up has begun.  There will be a two-walled, 10-foot-tall, cofferdam installed which will cover 14-18 acres with 30 feet of material removed.  The sand separation area will be monitored as it recovers naturally. The clean-up of the north pit could take as long as 7 years to complete.  Estimated costs have increased from $105 million to $262 million with 250,000 cubic yards of material to be removed.

The Sierra Club has been involved with the SJRWPSS clean-up process since 2009 and has supported the Texas Health and Environment Alliance/San Jacinto River Coalition in their efforts to get those responsible for this Superfund Site to clean it up.

The Sierra Club supports U.S. EPA in implementation of a complete clean-up of the SJRWPSS.  We must ensure that this clean-up occurs and ends a toxic blight that has affected Houston, San Jacinto River, Highlands, Channelview, and Galveston Bay.