Senator Allard Celebrates Rocky Mountain Arsenal Expansion

SENATOR ALLARD CELEBRATES ROCKY MOUNTAIN ARSENAL EXPANSION
Says "Pearl on the Prairie" Transformation on Schedule

U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.), who in 1992 co-authored the legislation creating the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, joined Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson at a transfer ceremony at the Arsenal on Friday.

"Today we mark another milestone of the transformation from Arsenal to ‘Pearl on the Prairie.' As the original cosponsor of the 1992 Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge Act with former Congresswoman Pat Schroeder, it gives me great pleasure to help commemorate today's event," Allard said. "I am proud to see that one of these first pieces of legislation I championed in Congress is being implemented on schedule."

The Rocky Mountain Arsenal was once considered one of the most contaminated sites in the country and is one of the largest clean-up sites in the United States. The clean-up is nearly two-thirds complete, with final completion scheduled for 2011.

"Today's milestone is a true example of what can be done when people and government unite behind a common cause. This clean-up and transfer progress has been and will continue to be a collaborative effort," said Allard. "Lands once considered lost have been reclaimed for all to use and enjoy. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal is on track to become the ‘Pearl on the Prairie' that I always envisioned."

Once the clean-up and full transfer is complete, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal will be one of the largest urban National Wildlife Refuges in the nation.

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