Allard Celebrates National Wildlife Refuge Establishment At Rocky Flats

Press Release

ALLARD CELEBRATES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ESTABLISHMENT AT ROCKY FLATS

U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) commented today on the official signing and transfer of the Rocky Flats Technology Site. The signing transfers jurisdiction of the site's management from the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) to the U.S. Dept. of the Interior.

"Today's signing is a landmark event," said Allard. "This transfer officially establishes the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge. Land that was once considered off limits will soon be home to a wildlife refuge that can be used by many. The future of Rocky Flats is bright."

Allard was an original co-author of the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge Act which statutorily requires the site to be cleaned up and transferred to the U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Once officially transferred, the site will be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as outlined in Fish and Wildlife's Comprehensive Conservation Plan.

"As the original sponsor of the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge Act, I know too well, the commitment, dedication, and effort involved in cleaning up and transferring this site," continued Allard. "While original estimates suggested it would take over 70 years and cost upwards of $35 billion dollars to clean-up and transfer Rocky Flats, hard work, leadership, and vision resulted in the completion of the clean-up in less than 15 years. The completed transfer of the site is now saving tax payers billions of dollars."

The Rocky Flats Technology Site manufactured components for nuclear weapons for our nation's defense until 1988 and has been owned and operated by the DOE the since 1951. The 6,200 acre complex housed more than 100 buildings is located 16 miles northwest of downtown Denver. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certified the completion of the site cleanup last month.

"The people of Colorado and our Nation can be proud of the accelerated clean-up and closure of Rocky Flats," said Allard. "The clean-up and transfer is an unprecedented and world renowned feat. It is my hope that Congress and the American people in the years to come will look at Rocky Flats as a model of what can be done when people and all levels of government unite behind a common cause."

Since 1996, Allard has worked to ensure the successful clean-up of the former nuclear weapons site, securing more than $7 billion dollars toward its' clean-up. The clean-up effort was completed in December, 2005.

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