é ¢ UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. AOOLAT — +, ee 20545 JUN 1 ACrnime et 1972 yeu Captain soy n! - CDR Richter Chairman Schlesinger Commissioner Ramey Commissioner Johnson Major Fava Major Cotner Sheen—~—BD Commissioner Larson = Comnissioner Doub THRU: ® General Mana ENIWETOK An AEC survey team visited Eniwetok Atoll during May 11-17, 1972, to conduct a preliminary radiological survey toward developing a more detailed survey program to be conducted this fall in anticipation of decontaminating and rehabilitating the Atoll prior to return to its original owners. Simultaneous with the AEC survey team visit, the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) was making preparations for a series of high explosive cratering experiments. Complex radiological conditions exist on Runit Island (Yvonne), Eniwetok Atoll, due to several nuclear devices exploded on Runit from 1951 through 1958 and subsequent earth and debris moving activities. The historical records of operations on Runit contain some contradictions with respect to radioactive waste disposal, although several alpha waste burial grounds are known to exist in the Atoll. }& .3 The AEC's preliminary radiological survey has located a plutonium bearing sand layer outcropping on the ocean side of the Runit mid-island area and, similarly, the apparent existence of plutonium fragments and grains on the Island surface. The areas containing these surface plutonium contaminations are not yet clearly delineated but appear to be extensive. Further, contaminated scrap metal debris is located throughout the Island. $ On May 17, Mr. Roger Ray, Assistant Menager for Operations, NV, arrived at Eniwetok with a group of Eniwetokese council members and their lawyer, being escorted by Trust Territory officials. The AEC survey team briefed Mr. Ray on their findings and their concern about the possibility of high alpha contamination on Runit Island. Mr. Ray then briefed a team of arriving workers from Scripps Institute and DNA's File Folpek= Trost Tern dora Og Vol. F . wh Jan- Jura 1942 5001143 . oo — na fe. VLA 7 Drews Le f