One of the Channel Islands which has been closed to the public for more than two years over concerns of possible unexploded military ordnance is reopening to visitors.
The U-S Navy owns San Miguel Island, but opened it to visitors under the supervision of the National Park Service. In April of 2014, the eight mile long, four mile island some 55 miles west of Ventura was completely closed because of concerns about unexploded military ordnance. The island was a military bombing range for decades, from World War II into the 1970’s.
Yvonne Menard, with the National Park Service, says teams surveyed 18 miles of marked trails, and other high use areas. They found 125 pounds of munition remnants, but no active explosive items. As in the past, visitors must be escorted by park personnel past the park’s ranger station, and must stay on established trails. Visitors now also have to sign a release of liability.
The island will reopen May 17th.
Visitors can get to the island via Island Packers, the official Channel Islands National Park concessionaire, and now also by air, through flights offered by Channel Islands Aviation.