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Army Corps Of Engineers Finds Unexploded Bombs At Arizona Wildlife Refuge

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is removing some unexploded bombs and other weapons found at public wildlife area near Tucson. The site was once used as a practice range by army soldiers at Fort Huachuca.

The Bureau of Land Management has closed two sections of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation area so the clean up can begin this week. BLM spokeswoman Diane Drobka said the corps studied the area and determined that the buried weapons are a threat to the public.   

"Some of its from World War II, so it's stuff that could explode, and someone could get really hurt,” said Drobka.

The corps plans to detonate the bombs at the site. Drobka said finding unused weapons on public lands is not rare, because the BLM often takes over old military ranges.

The project is expected to be completed by next April. Areas of the wildlife refuge where bombs have not been found will remain open to the public during the clean up. 

Steve Shadley was a reporter at KJZZ from 1990 to 1996 and from 2012 to 2015.