Crystal Hunters May Return To Great Salt Plains

CHEROKEE, Okla. (AP) -- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials are considering reopening the Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge to crystal hunters.

The area has been closed since April 2007 when vials of blistering solutions used in World War II-era chemical warfare training kits were unearthed by a Bartlesville Boy Scout.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that more than $2 million has been spent surveying the area and looking for additional vials.

A total of 171 vials have been found and officials say it's unlikely any more are still at the site.

A final plan for the area will be given to the wildlife service on April 17 and a decision on reopening it will be made by a Fish and Wildlife regional director in Albuquerque, N.M.