Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge Closed

The Denver Post is reporting that the RMAWR is closed to the public because they found some lewisite at the Superfund site. From the article:

Officials closed the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge to the public Thursday after revealing workers at an adjacent cleanup site had unearthed a potentially deadly chemical warfare agent.

The workers detected the agent, a mustard-gas-like chemical called lewisite, late Wednesday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a statement.

There doesn't seem to be any word on when it might re-open.

Wow,

I guess I am kinda glad I waited to take my kids there.

I know some are not worried about such things. But I would rather be safe than sorry.

- Derek

I think we all know that that site will never truly be cleaned up. Thus, they gave it back to the animals instead of turning it into yet another subdivision.

I'm with you and your children's safety Derek, you just never know and it's better to be cautious.

Ok, ok, If I must, I'll be the voice of reason. The site is clean, period. I was on TV with the refuge manager today and they found a small amount of contamination is a cubic yard of soil in the middle of the Central Remidiation Area in the middle of 27 square miles. There is constant testing of air, soil and water quality + testing of roadkill and starling eggs WITH NO CONTAMINATION. The idea that you can't take kids out there is one of the most absurd things I've ever heard, right up there with the 12 foot tall prairie dogs. The entire Superfund cleanup that has been going on for 23 years is soooo close to complete. It is/was a Superfund site for a reason (well documented in Prairie Thunder) and is one of the most successful cleanups in our Nation's history. Let's no overreact to this sensationized news and diminish the remarkable work of the USFWS, The US ARMY and SHELL. These folks have worked hard and with great pride in making RMA a jewel of the refuge system, which it is. The refuge will likely be back open next weekend, when you can take your kids for a meaningful outdoor experience.

Are you saying there are no 12-foot-tall prairie dogs??? Crap...

Thanks for your perspective, Dave.

Todd, I'm disappointed. I was certain that you would post a 12 ft-tall prarie dog.

I was really looking forward to seeing those 12 foot tall prairie dogs too derned it

As far as I know, the only giant-sized prairie dog is the one that they advertise out in Kansas.

Les, you must be talking about the 8,000lb Prarie Dog. The exit is near Oakley, KS on I-70. I was tempted to see what all of the fuss was about until a friend of mine (and local resident) told me that it was a cement statue...so I opted for the the 6 legged steer instead. I heard that they hide it behind a wood barrier so that you have to pay to see it.

A 12' tall prairie dog, huh? I'd like to see that. We have our very own Superfund clean-up site in Moab along the banks of the Colorado River and rumor here is that there are shark sized fish downstream from it. Anybody for a rafting trip?

Gee,
I feel much safer now knowing the ARMY is taking care of the clean up...

But wait, weren't they the ones that put the mustard gas there in the first place.

Sorry, I coudn't resist.

Hmmm... I think ya'll are talking about the 10 foot tall Jackalope that escaped from the arsenal some years back. It got as far as Dubois on 287 in WY before being captured. It was shot during a wild rampage and it's now on dispaly in a gas station there. I have a photo of that critter here somewhere with my son sitting on it. Course, Taylor has grown to six foot one inch tall due to cross contamination so Derek I think your concerns are quite rational.

I have a picture of a 6' prairie dog that was published in Colorado Shooting, but I've never seen a 12' tall one.

The Jackalope!

I have never even heard of a Jackalope... And that sucker is Big!!!
I guess almost anything is possible after a few good whiffs of mustard gas. LOL.