USFS Acknowledges Tree-Marking Paint Dumping and Responds with Soil Sampling

Published in the Siskiyou News on April 5, 2026 was the official response from the US Forest Service acknowledging the unlawful practice of dumping tree-marking paint in National Forest soil. Read and share the article here. 

Key points from their response: 

• "Direction to all contractors has been updated to ensure clarity on Forest Service requirements and proper handling and disposal of paint in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and agency policies."
• "The Forest completed soil sampling and waste-characteristic screening at the site depicted in photographs provided by whistleblower."
• Laboratory results showed that "metals were below California TTLC thresholds (Total Threshold Limit Concentrations)", but present nonetheless.
• "The analysis did identify petroleum-range organics and trace-level volatile organic compounds (VOCs) consistent with petroleum distillates and solvents."
• "While the results did not definitively classify the diluted residue as a hazardous waste under federal or state criteria, the Forest is treating the material cautiously."
• "The agency will continue working closely with Siskiyou County, complete any additional site assessments that may be warranted, and ensure corrective measures remain in place to prevent recurrence."
  
  

Remaining concerns and unanswered questions: 

• While the USFS has claimed they themselves will "ensure" proper handling and disposal of paint in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, how will the public know that the same agency that polluted will abide by this in the future? Who else will enforce this and hold the USFS accountable? Where can the public see evidence of these new changes? 
• Where can the public view the SDS sheet (Safety Data Sheet) that provide information on the hazards of the paint materials including health risks, handling, storage and disposal instructions, and emergency measures? 
• Why aren't the details of the soil sample results made public?
• It is still unclear how long this unlawful practice has been occurring with the USFS and how widespread. How can the public better understand at what scale National Forests that surround local communities have been affected? 

As of this moment, Siskiyou County and the California EPA have not made any public comments, updates, or release of final reports on this investigation.