DOCUMENT DOES NOT conrTA IN ECI Reviewed by “nrPS 9why Date LO OOD UNITED STATES ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20545 aug 11 1977 Dr. W. J. Bair Manager, Biomedical and Environmental Research Program Pacific Northwest Laboratory P, 0. Box 999 Richland, Washington 99352 REPOSITORY 409811 / BR PN NL. COLLECTION Marshal] BOX No. IG ES rower Znewt tak Lslands (977 Dear Dr. Bair: This will confirm recent telephone conversations seeking your assistance in the review of the cleanup criteria for Enewetak that AEC/ERDA was responsible for preparing. The key element in plans for the ongoing Enewetak Atoll project is recommendations for cleanup and rehabilitation criteria developed by an AEC Task Group in June 1974, and decisions by Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) on crater disposal of contaminated debris and soil on Runit Island. Several factors opt for a final review of these recommendations and decisions; namely, EPA has in draft for final review, "Guidance on Dose Limits for the Transuranium Elements in the General Environment"; Mahlon E. Gates, Manager, NV, has indicated his professional staff have voiced objections to the disposal plan and believe that "soil cleanup" of the northern islands according to AEC guidance is unsupportable, unsound, and counterproductive; concern has been expressed for the cleanup guidelines in a letter to Dr. Liverman which was prepared by a number of scientists at the time of the Livermore review of all AES Facific activities on June 27-29, 1972; DOD has a neavy commitment to the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll and to a technique of disposal that has changed with time and will shortly begin to expend considerable effort in soil removal and disposal activities; and ERDA has commitments to provide certification of Enewetak cleanup and long term radiological followup of the Atoll when it is resettled. You are invited to participate in a review of: 1. AEC recommendations for cleanup and rehabilitation of Enewetak Atoll and specifically the criteria for plutonium-239 in soil, and 2. Environmental and health implications and Jong term monitoring requirements for crater disposal of contaminated debris and soil on Runit Island. 4 la” 7