The Salt Plains Wildlife Refuge Selenite Crystal Dig Area will re-open at 8 a.m. Saturday.
The dig area has been closed since April 2007 when vials from Chemical Agent Identification Sets were found in the area by a Boy Scout. The vials were used to train troops during World War II to recognize chemical agents. The vials contained diluted mustard, lewisite, chloropicrin and undiluted phosgene.
Army Corps of Engineers conducted a remedial investigation of the dig area. A total of 171 intact vials were found and removed as well as incendiary bomblets and other metal debris.
The final report from the Corps of Engineers recommended the use of educational materials to warn the public of potential hazards. The report stated “it is unlikely that munitions and explosives of concern or Chemical Agent Identification Sets remain at the project site. It cannot be stated with certainty, however, that no MEC or CAIS remain.”
The education materials will include two signs at the dig area, insert in the selenite crystal brochure and information on the Salt Plains Web site. This information will depict munitions and chemical vials which have been found in the dig area and actions to take by visitors if anymore are found.
The area will not re-open until Saturday to allow the refuge to produce and display the education material.
Local news
Crystal dig to open Saturday
- Local news
-
-
Arraignment set for murder trial
An Enid man was bound over for trial on a first-degree murder charge following a preliminary hearing Friday in the death of a 53-year-old man at a bar on Valentine’s Day.
-
Police arrest woman following bank robbery
Barbara Schneider-Orf, 49, was booked into Garfield County Detention Facility on complaints of robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, resisting arrest and attempting to elude police officers.
-
OBA graduates its largest class in history
A capacity crowd was on hand Friday night to send off 48 graduating seniors at Oklahoma Bible Academy, the largest graduating class to depart the private Christian school in its 100 years.
-
State House asks DHS to keep centers from closing
-
Man sentenced in 2 rape trials
An Enid man convicted of first- and second-degree rape in two separate trials this year was sentenced Friday to six years in prison.
-
Local News Briefs for 5-26-2012
-
Traveling Vietnam Wall gets fundraising boost
-
Storms moving across western Oklahoma
Shortly before 9 p.m., radar indicated a small area of showers and thunderstorms extending from Cheyenne and Reydon to Higgins and Arnett. The storms are moving to the north around 35 mph.
-
Kinnear tapped for VP role at Continental
Kirk Kinnear brings with him 33 years of crude oil marketing, international arbitrage, refinery supply, energy trading and hedging experience.
-
No reason to drink, drive this weekend
AAA Oklahoma is offering Tipsy Tow over the extended Memorial Day holiday period. The service is free and open to the public.
To call for Tipsy Tow, dial (800) AAA-HELP and ask for Tipsy Tow. AAA will provide a free tow and a free ride for the vehicle and up to two people, no questions asked, within a 15-mile radius from point of pickup.
- More Local news Headlines
-


