PORTLAND, Ore. / SPOKANE, Wash. — Communities near two Pacific Northwest military bases are facing years of additional exposure to toxic chemicals after the U.S. Department of Defense quietly delayed cleanup efforts for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.”
The delay, totaling six years, pushes remediation timelines into the next decade at both the Portland Air National Guard base and Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS are man-made chemicals widely used in firefighting foams, nonstick cookware, and water-resistant fabrics. These compounds do not break down easily in the environment, earning the name “forever chemicals.”
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Scientific studies have linked PFAS exposure to serious health problems, including:
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Cancer
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Heart disease
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High cholesterol
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Birth defects
Because PFAS seep into soil and groundwater, they can pose long-term risks to nearby communities.
Cleanup Delays Announced
Originally, the Pentagon planned to complete PFAS investigations and cleanup planning at the Portland site by September 2025. That deadline has now been extended to September 2031. Similarly, Fairchild’s timeline has shifted from July 2026 to June 2032.
The Department of Defense (DoD) has argued that resources must first be reallocated to military bases where investigations have not yet started. Yet critics say the delays leave communities already known to be contaminated without relief.
State Agencies Express Concern
Environmental officials in both Oregon and Washington voiced frustration, noting that PFAS levels at the sites are already high and threaten sensitive water resources such as the Columbia Slough.
“This is not the time to slow down,” one Oregon environmental officer said. “Communities are counting on action, not more delays.”
Both states have passed legislation to phase out PFAS-containing firefighting foam — Washington banned its use in 2018, and Oregon lawmakers approved a phase-out earlier this year.
Budget and Policy Pressures
The delays coincide with congressional proposals by Republican lawmakers to cut nearly $200 million from the Pentagon’s environmental cleanup budget. At the same time, some have pushed to roll back a 2024 federal ban on firefighting foam that contains PFAS.
Without adequate funding, environmental groups fear more cleanup projects will be postponed nationwide.
History of Contamination at Fairchild
Fairchild Air Force Base has a long history of contamination. In 1995, it was designated a Superfund site for other toxic releases. Then, in 2017, testing revealed severe PFAS pollution.
By 2018, about 100 residents near the base had filed a class action lawsuit against 3M, the primary manufacturer of PFAS-based firefighting foam, alleging health impacts from years of exposure.
Despite the known risks, residents now face an additional six-year wait for federal cleanup action.
Local Impacts in Oregon
In Oregon, suspected PFAS hotspots include airports and firefighting training centers. At Portland International Airport, PFAS contamination was detected in aquatic life as early as 2017. The airport has since transitioned to PFAS-free firefighting foams, but contamination persists in nearby waterways.
The Portland Air National Guard base remains a focal point for concerns. Its proximity to the Columbia Slough, a sensitive ecological area, increases the urgency for cleanup, according to state regulators.
National Context
The Pentagon has acknowledged that about one-quarter of military sites nationwide with PFAS contamination are facing delays averaging five years. Across the country, nearly 140 sites are now on postponed cleanup schedules.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently strengthened oversight by designating several PFAS compounds as federally regulated hazardous substances. States are now required to test drinking water for PFAS contamination, a move aimed at better protecting residents.
Communication Gaps
One lingering question is how much the Defense Department has shared with local and state officials about the revised cleanup schedules. Oregon and Washington agencies said they are still reviewing records to determine what, if anything, they were told before the delays were confirmed.
Community advocates argue that residents should have been informed directly. “People deserve to know the risks in their neighborhoods and when help is coming,” said one Portland-area environmental organizer.
What’s Next
The six-year postponements mean residents living near both the Portland and Fairchild bases must rely on interim measures such as bottled water, home filters, or municipal water extensions to avoid PFAS exposure.
State agencies continue to press for immediate steps to ensure safe drinking water and protect public health, even as federal investigations stall.
A Growing National Problem
PFAS contamination has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing the country. Cleanup is costly, complex, and time-consuming — yet experts warn that delaying action only increases risks.
“Forever chemicals don’t wait,” one Washington health advocate said. “The longer cleanup is delayed, the deeper the contamination spreads.”
Key Takeaways
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Cleanup at Portland Air National Guard base delayed from 2025 to 2031.
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Cleanup at Fairchild Air Force Base delayed from 2026 to 2032.
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PFAS exposure linked to cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol, and birth defects.
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Both Oregon and Washington have banned PFAS firefighting foams, but legacy contamination remains.
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Nearly 140 U.S. military sites are now facing PFAS cleanup delays.
