MARIENVILLE — The US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service announced that public comments are being accepted on the remedial action selection for the Nansen and Mckinley Tar Sites Cleanup Project in the Allegheny National Forest.

The project is located along Coon Run and Wolf Run, headwater tributaries for the South Branch of Tionesta Creek in Elk County. The proposed remedial actions and background information are available for review in the Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis (EE/CA) report posted on the forest website.

The Nansen and McKinley Tar Sites were historically used to manufacture wood chemicals including charcoal, methanol and acetate lime in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Contamination at the sites is presumed to be byproducts from this historical operation in the form of wood tar, which was discarded on nearby ground surfaces near or within streams during production. The EE/CA proposes a cleanup action to address wood tar deposits found in and along the banks of Coon and Wolf runs. The main goals of the proposed cleanup are to:

“We welcome the public to review the EE/CA and submit comments on this project that aims to improve water quality and reduce potential risks to humans, aquatic wildlife and the environment,” said Marienville District Ranger Daniele Gualtieri.

The Forest Service will issue a decision document called an Action Memorandum which selects the final cleanup action and contains a summary of responses to the comments received during the public comment period. The Action Memorandum will be issued and made available for public review as part of the administrative record.

Documents relevant to the work are available on the Allegheny National Forest website at or by contacting Kevin Treese at kevin.treese@usda.gov or (814) 927-5759.

The comment period will close Sept. 16. Comments can be submitted by postal mail or online.