dunelover
Beach Fanatic
We actually have a place in Oklahoma where people go and dig for crystals, the salt plains. A few weeks ago a boy scout found a vial, containing yes.....training chemicals--- mustard gas if I remember right. Key to the story as mentioned above, whatever you find, do not transport, pick up or move!!
Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge's selenite crystal site remains closed as members of the Army's 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 GreatSaltPlainsBombingRange near Cherokee, Oklahoma.
