Statement of Hon. Max Sandlin, U.S. Representative from the State of Texas

Last October I had the pleasure of participating in the dedication of the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Uncertain, Texas. This was just one step in an ongoing effort to create an educational and environmental legacy out of a former army ammunition plant. The Caddo Lake Institute is a most unusual success story formed from a public-private partnership and the tireless labor of the local community.

The Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant (LAAP) formerly employed over 3,000 people. This plant manufactured explosives and was a self-contained city. For over fifty years, LAAP supplied explosives to our nation's armed forces across the globe. First opened in World War II, LAAP shipped flares, rockets and shells to armed conflicts in Vietnam, Korea and Operation Desert Storm. At the end of the Cold War, the plant became responsible for the destruction of the nuclear missile engines it once built. Soviet inspectors watched on as over 700 Pershing missile engines were fastened into concrete cages and fired as their hulls were crushed.

When the U.S. Army and Monsanto Chemical officials first made their way to the banks of Caddo Lake in the early 1940's, they undoubtedly noticed its beauty. It is virtually impossible to overlook the pristine natural habitat complete with tall pines and exotic cypress trees draped in Spanish moss (picture). What these officials did not realize is that this place, soon to be known as Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant, sat on a wetland of international importance with a national treasure of native plant and wildlife species.

While the ammunition plant successfully met its manufacturing demands, it left behind a legacy of pollution and contamination. Longhorns' doors have been closed for many years, but its by-products continue to pollute the soil and water of Caddo Lake. Further, asbestos is prominent in the standing buildings of the now defunct ammunition plant.

Things would probably have continued to deteriorate had it not been for the efforts of local citizens, pleas from several colleges and universities and the presence of the Caddo Lake Institute. The Caddo Lake Institute was established by Mr. Don Henley and we are honored to have him with us today.

As early as 1993, local schools such as Wiley College, Stephen F. Austin State University and East Baptist University actively lobbied for federal and international recognition for the refuge as well as funding for an educational institute.

In 1996, Caddo Lake was designated a "Ramsar Wetland of International Importance" and was officially recognized as an ecosystem essential for maintaining biodiversity. Caddo Lake was also given Resource Category 1 status by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) --- its highest classification of wetlands.

Dwight Shellman, President of the Caddo Lake Institute, conceived and implemented the plan for local involvement. Robin and Betty Holder, who live in Uncertain and own the local grocery store, went with Mr. Shellman, who is also here today, to look at other wildlife refuges and examine plans for environmentally sound reuse of abandoned war industry land. Both Robin and Betty agree that any other use of the plant would be a waste and are excited about its future.

Currently, land has been privately leased for the Caddo Lake Institute campus. We envision a collaborative atmosphere created by our community leaders for visiting research scientists, graduate students and echo-tourists. This atmosphere will contribute to the creation and evolution of the first US Regional Ramsar Wetland Science Center, which will honor international wetland standards. The higher education facility will conduct research on better forestry and wetland practices. This research will not only advance agricultural practices but also improve wetland preservation and conservation throughout the nation. It is important that we facilitate the implementation of this plan with federal funding to help build the research center.

The creation of the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge provides a rare opportunity to coordinate echo-tourism, scientific research and economic growth. Our conservation initiatives are in place and our local interest is sustained. The Wildlife Conservation bill would support our conservation plan and strategy at Caddo Lake. I am pleased to be a part of this effort and will continue to work to make this plan a reality.