EPA hauling coal tar from Ohio River

BROOKE COUNTY, W.Va. --

The Environmental Protection Agency is working to remove thousands of tons of coal tar from the Ohio River after residents' complaints of a foul odor in part of Brooke County.

The work is taking place near the Follansbee Kopper Plant, which is just outside of Wellsburg city limits. Numerous Wellsburg residents reported the odor and expressed health concerns and as a result, Wellsburg City Manager Mark Henne contacted the Department of Environmental Protection.

Henne said he is pleased with how quickly the DEP took action. A project management team tried a number of measures to help get rid of the odor -- like using a mist and foam substance -- but after those methods failed, the EPA agreed to haul away the material.

The coal tar that's being removed from the river has been there for years, officials said. Ultimately, it will be hauled to a landfill in Ohio.

Crews have been working on the project for several weeks. Henne said he hopes that not only will they be finished soon, but that it's also a permanent solution to the problem.