FORT PLAIN — The state departments of Environmental Conservation and Health are proposing to remove contaminants from the former Fort Plain Manufactured Gas Plant in the village, as part of the state’s overall plan to clean up former manufactured gas plant sites.

“This is one site that we are addressing with the utility companies that is a result of contamination left behind from the gas production activities that had taken place at the turn of the last century,” DEC spokeswoman Maureen Wren said. “With all of these projects, we feel that it’s important to keep the public involved as much as possible.”

Residents are invited to a presentation about the cleanup plan at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Fort Plain Fireman’s Home, 168 Canal St.

Officials from DEC said the primary contaminant found at the Fort Plain site was coal tar, which is present in the groundwater and subsurface soils.

The half-acre site is currently owned by National Grid and is secured by a chain-link fence and posted with a “No Trespassing” sign.

According to DOH spokeswoman Beth Goldberg, the site’s contaminants are not a direct health hazard to the surrounding community, but could be harmful to anyone who might trespasses on the site. She said the contaminated groundwater is not a hazard because residents use public water.

The DEC has a variety of options for the site’s contaminated soil and groundwater, but is proposing a $3.9 million plan that would remove 1,000 cubic yards of soil to depths of 15 feet and address the contaminated groundwater. The site would then be monitored for up to 30 years. Wren said National Grid would be paying for the project.

Treatment and/or disposal of the soil would occur at an off-site facility. Officials said it may be necessary to close a portion of Hancock Street during a portion of the project.

Goldberg said DOH officials will be monitoring the project to ensure the contaminants don’t harm workers and residents of the surrounding areas. The site is bordered by a residence, a steep wooded bank leading to Clinton Avenue and a parking lot.

Wren said work wouldn’t start until 2009 and could take four to six months or longer, depending on the contamination.

“The unique thing about this site is that it’s small, which is good because there is less space for contamination, but it gives us less space to work also,” Wren said.

The Fort Plain Manufactured Gas Plant was part of many similar facilities throughout the state that turned coal and oil into natural gas in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Fort Plain MGP produced gas from both coal and oil from 1868 to 1920.

Cleanup of similar sites have occurred throughout the Mohawk Valley, including a 2002 project at the Johnstown site near the Colonial Cemetery and the cleanup of the current Riverlink Park site in Amsterdam.

The public is able to comment about the Fort Plain project until March 26. Written comments can be made to project manager Bernard Franklin, NYSDEC central office, 625 Broadway, 13th Floor, Albany NY 12233.