Public Notice
Regarding the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Section 106 Review of the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation, Restoration of Carrie Furnace Stove Deck, Stock House, and Trestle
Homestead, PA (June 26, 2024)—The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has offered the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation (RSHC), in Homestead, Pennsylvania, a Challenge Infrastructure and Capacity Building grant (CHA-286629) to restore the Carrie Blast Furnaces, a National Historic Landmark.
NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. This public notice is issued as part of NEH’s responsibilities under 36 C.F.R. Part 800, the regulations which implement Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, 54 U.S.C. 306108. NEH, a funding agency, is required by regulation to identify and assess the effects of any proposed actions on historic properties. If any proposed action will have an adverse effect on historic resources, NEH works with the appropriate parties to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects. Additionally, the Section 106 regulations require NEH to consider the views of the public on preservation issues when making final decisions that affect historic properties.
The project involves the repair, stabilization, and partial reconstruction of portions of the Carrie Furnaces, located at 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd., Swissvale, Pennsylvania 15218-2525. The Carrie Furnaces is a steel mill structure 92 feet in height that sits on 35 acres of preserved landscape, originally constructed in 1906. The project will focus on two sections within the furnaces, the stock house and stove deck. Within these sections, damaged steel components will be either repaired or removed and replaced in order to restore integrity to the structures. The Carrie Blast Furnace #6 and 7 is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NHRP # 06001070) and is a National Historic Landmark. Section 106 will be conducted as a phased review, with this notice focused on the stair tower portion of the project.
On June 25, 2024, Emma Diehl, Environmental Review Division Manager, with the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office provided the opinion that the proposed work for the stair tower will have No Adverse Effect upon above and below ground historic resources. After reviewing Section 106 documentation NEH issues a final determination of No Adverse Effect.
As required by Section 106, NEH is providing the public with information about this project, as well as an opportunity to comment on any knowledge of, or concerns with, historic properties in the proposed project area, and issues relating to the project’s potential effects on historic properties. Comments may be submitted to the NEH by e-mail to FPO@neh.gov. The deadline for submitting comments is July 10, 2024.
