LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to clean up 35 homes with lead-contaminated soil in Lincoln’s North Bottoms neighborhood.

EPA spokesman Chris Whitley says the agency plans to offer remediation to property owners whose dirt tested high for lead. Whitley says remediation involves digging up at least one foot of soil, bringing in clean dirt and covering the area with sod or hydroseed.

The properties are located near the former site of the Northwestern Metal Co. plant, which operated from about 1918 to 1961.

Whitley says owners who agree to have their soil tested will receive a letter about remediation this fall or next spring.

The project is being handled by a federal Superfund program, and Whitley says remediation will be done at no cost to the property owner.