DEP To Hold Jan. 22 Virtual Hearing On Proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act Interim Response At Tub Mill Farm, Clearview Farm Waste Site, Somerset County

On January 7, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will hold a virtual public hearing Wednesday, January 22 at 6:00 p.m. to take testimony from interested parties on DEP’s interim response under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act (HSCA) at Tub Mill Farms and Clearview Farms in Elk Lick Township, Somerset County.

Tub Mill Farms and Clearview Farms are two parcels containing, among other waste, thousands of chemically treated utility poles and railroad ties. 

Utility poles and railroad ties have historically been treated with one of three main types of heavy-duty wood preservatives: chromated arsenical, creosote, and pentachlorophenol. 

Direct contact with and the leaching of these chemicals pose a human health and environmental risk. 

Additionally, the potential for aerosolized particles also poses a human health risk if the piles were to catch fire.

The primary objective of the project is to remove hazardous material at the site consisting of, but not limited to, utility poles, railroad ties, and contaminated soils. 

Once removed, all hazardous materials will be properly disposed of according to all applicable federal and state regulations for hazardous waste disposal. 

More information can be found on DEP’s webpage for this site.

Those wishing to register to provide comment or observe the virtual public hearing must register with Lauren Camarda, regional communications manager, by email at lcamarda@pa.gov  or phone at 412-442-4203 at least 24 hours before the hearing.

[Individuals who want to just watch the hearing online should contact Lauren Camarda for a link by sending an email to: lcamarda@pa.gov.]

Video demonstrations and screen sharing by witnesses will not be permitted. Testimony will be limited to three minutes. DEP asks that each organization designate one speaker per group and reminds those presenting that time may not be shared or relinquished to others.

DEP will equally consider all comments, whether delivered orally during the virtual hearing or submitted in writing. 

Written comments may be submitted to RA-EPSW-HSCA@pa.gov  and must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. 

Individuals wishing to attend who require an auxiliary aid, service, or other accommodations to participate should contact Lauren Camarda by email at lcamarda@pa.gov or by calling 412-442-4203. 

Individuals wishing to attend who require an auxiliary aid, service, or other accommodations to participate should contact Lauren Camarda. The Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service is available by calling 1-800-654-5984 (TTD users) or 1-800-654-5988 (voice users) and request that they be relayed to Lauren Camarda at 412-442-4203.

Click Here for the DEP announcement.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website.  Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

Resource Link:

-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act Interim Response At Tub Mill Farm, Clearview Farm Waste Site, Somerset County  [PaEN]

[Posted: January 7, 2025]  PA Environment Digest