The EPA Approves Cleanup Plan For San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site
Agency Requires Companies Responsible For Toxic Waste To Meet Strict Requirements During Remediation.
On September 15, 2025, THEA put out the following news release providing details about the EPA’s decision to approve a final cleanup plan for the Northern Pit of the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site.
Summary: The EPA has approved the cleanup plan for the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site, but in a rare move, imposed more than 40 additional conditions and will require agency approval for any changes to the plan. After years of delays, the agency’s decision is a victory for residents who have endured illnesses and pushed for a thorough cleanup. The EPA still needs to finalize details, establish a timeline, and set penalties, but Texas Health and Environment Alliance (THEA) and its coalition remains committed to ensuring the companies are held accountable until the hazardous material is removed.
The EPA has informed the companies responsible for the dioxin and other toxic waste in the San Jacinto River that it has approved of their cleanup plan, but in an unusual move, will require the companies to meet dozens of additional conditions. The EPA will also require agency approval for any changes in the plan.
“The EPA is taking decisive action to protect the community and the San Jacinto River,” said Jackie Medcalf, CEO and Founder of Texas Health and Environment Alliance (THEA). “This is a victory for all of the residents who have been pushing for the cleanup of this environmental hazard for so many years.”
International Paper Company and Waste Management subsidiary, McGinnes Industrial Maintenance Corporation, are responsible for the cleanup of the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site, located in Harris County, just east of Houston.
They have been under a court mandate to produce a final cleanup plan, called a “Final (100%) Remedial Design” since 2018. The Southern Pit was successfully cleaned up in 2024, but the plan for the Northern Pit has been stalled by a series of actions by the companies. They sought and received 565 days worth of delays, and submitted multiple plans that did not meet the EPA’s requirements.
The EPA has now taken a rarely-used approach to make sure the project moves forward and meets its requirements to protect the safety of residents. In a letter dated September 9th, 2025, the EPA approved the company’s final plan, but put more than 40 conditions on the work. It also took the unusual step of requiring agency approval for every change.
“EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has said his priority is to jumpstart the superfund site cleanup process and this may be the most important project to see action under that policy. We appreciate the EPA taking firm action on a project that has been allowed to languish for far too long,” said Medcalf.
“The people who live along the river deserve the real credit for this action. The EPA’s conditions reflect many of the same requirements that the community has been pushing for, including assurances that the site will be thoroughly tested to make sure the cleanup was done properly,” Medcalf said.
The EPA still needs to iron out some of the details on the plan before it establishes a timeline and penalties if International Paper and Waste Management’s subsidiary fail to follow the plan. THEA’s San Jacinto River Coalition will continue to be engaged until the contaminated material is removed.
“Residents have lost loved ones. Many have developed cancer and other illnesses themselves, but they never stopped. This is a blue-collar community. They show up for work and they don’t quit until the job is done,” Medcalf said. “They stayed united during the years of delays and the community will hold the companies accountable to follow this cleanup plan. This community isn’t going anywhere and they aren’t going to stop pushing for a full, effective cleanup.”
Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey has been actively pushing the EPA to take definitive action. After revieing the EPA letter, he provided this comment:
“For decades, families along the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund site have carried the burden of living next to one of the nation’s most toxic sites. The decision by the EPA to approve the removal plans is a long-awaited victory for our community. This plan represents years of hard work by THEA’s coalition of local residents who refused to give up. While we celebrate this milestone, my office will stay committed to ensuring the cleanup is done right, done safely, and done quickly, because the residents of East Harris County deserve nothing less.”