Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuges selenite crystal site remains closed as members of the Armys 22d Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort) continue their support of the recovery of vials from chemical agent identification sets (CAIS) used until the 1960s for safely training soldiers in the identification of chemical agents. As of April 30, 2007 , approximately 130 intact CAIS vials have been recovered. Each vial contains one of four chemicals. These training sets were not designed to be lethal, but may cause a variety of irritations. To date, a final determination of the content of each vial has not been made. Once identified, the vials will be disposed of per applicable state and federal laws.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is encouraging people who may have collected CAIS vials or military munitions as souvenirs from the salt plain or other sites to notify their local law enforcement agency so they can be safely recovered and destroyed. Having these items places you, your family and your neighbors at risk. To protect yourself, your family and your neighbors, do not keep these items as souvenirs, and learn the 3Rs (RECOGNIZE - that you may have a CAIS or munition, RETREAT - do not touch, disturb, or move it, REPORT - call 911). Refuge Manager Jon Brock stated, "Public safety remains our first and foremost concern and turning in these items with a complete and open amnesty can avert a potential incident."
The site of discovery is a formerly used defense site (FUDS) - the former Great Salt Plains Bombing Range near Cherokee, Oklahoma .
For photos and further information on CAIS visit the Department of Defense UXO Safety site at: http://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public/Library/Explosives/UXOSafety/cais.html.
Information about Formerly Used Defense Sites can be found at:
https://eko.usace.army.mil/usacecop/pub/ecop/what_we_do/fuds/.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 547 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. Visit the Services website at http://www.fws.gov.
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