Just south of that are two parcels owned by Dunbar Asphalt and Williams Brothers which are not part of the EPA plan, Ms. Mathur said. The EPA is in talks with those companies.

The second phase of cleanup includes 231 acres south of Ohio Street which are under a proposed purchaser agreement with a mining company using the slag for asphalt, Ms. Mathur said. When that operation is complete, cleanup will begin.

As far as what will become of the site after cleanup, the EPA is open to suggestions as long as they are safe for the environment and people and don’t degrade the progress at the site. Any development must also conform to zoning laws.

“We can’t say it’s never going to be anything but a field … we aren’t able to address that now,” said Ms. Deitzel.

The actual Sharon Steel plant is not part of the sites the project covers.

The EPA will address all public concerns before deciding on the cleanup plan. The deadline for comment, which could be extended 30 days if someone requests it, is Aug. 14.

Send comments in writing to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Attn: Carrie Deitzel, 1650 Arch St. (3HS52), Philadelphia19103 or via e-mail to: deitzel.carrie@epa.gov.

For more information about the site, visit the Web site: www.epa.gov/arweb, and from the menus choose PA, “Sharon Steel- Farrell Works” for the site name and “remedial” for AR Type. Then click “search” and then “search results.”