Proposed Plan Out for Review For CAIS Site

Cherokee, Oklahoma The USACE Oklahoma District is seeking public comment on the Proposed Plan for the Crystal Digging Area site located within the Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. The FUDS was a popular tourist attraction for decades that saw an average of 30,000 annual visitors before it was closed back in April 2007. The site was closed when a CAIS (chemical agent identification set) vial was discovered by a young boy digging for selenite crystals in the area (original UXOInfo.com article link).

The U.S. Army 22nd Chemical Battalion responded shortly after the initial CAIS vial was found and uncovered 134 additional CAIS vials and three incendiary munitions. A TCRA was conducted in the summer of 2007 where 28 additional CAIS vials were recovered along with munitions debris. CAIS vials recovered from the site included vials from the K951 and K952 type kits.

As a follow on to the TCRA, the USACE conducted a RI/FS for the site that was completed in the fall of 2008. A Proposed Plan was then developed for the site. The Proposed Plan currently out for public review and comment specifies five alternatives for the Crystal Digging Area site including:

• No Further Action
• Access Controls-Restricted use of site
• Educational Awareness
• Investigation of Select Remaining Anomalies
• Excavation and Restoration

Comments on the Proposed Plan are due to the USACE Oklahoma District by 18 March. A meeting was held on 03 March to discuss the plan and the alternatives with the public.

Notes  1) The Crystal Digging Area is adjacent to the Great Salt Lakes Bombing Range which was used by the U.S. Army Air Corps for munitions training back in WWII. The former range area is now part of a 18,000 acre wildlife refuge area. 2) The Great Salt Lakes Bombing Range and the Crystal Digging Area are being evaluated separately under the FUDS program. 3) The Crystal Digging Area site holds selenite crystals, which are a form of gypsum designated the official crystal of Oklahoma.