UNITED il, ‘tae gi docum ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION, 2. Sereists ofaces WASHINGTON, D.C. 20545 & Julius H. Rubin, Assistant General Manager for Environment and Safety at, alae ’ HOM icahy decid POWERos + + ae rem. SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES RELATED TO SEVERAL PACIFIC ATOLLS BIKINI ATOLL As a result of a decision by President Johnson in 1968, Bikini Atoll was the site of an extensive cleanup effort by AEC and DOD in 1969. Part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Bikini Atoll is under the control of the Office of Territorial Affairs, Department of Interior. The Secretary of Interior has stated he will look to the AEC for assistance in the radiological aspects of the rehabilitation of Bikini Atoll. Most of the coconut trees, some 80,000, have been planted and a portion of the 40 houses under construction on Bikini Island should be ready for occupancy sometime in March 1972. It would then be possible for some of the Bikini families to retytn fo the Atoll. , The first followup radiological survey of Bikini Atoll was“conducted in May-June 1970, after thorough coordination with the High Commissioner of the Trust Territory in Saipar. ; soil samples obtained. Air sampling was performed and many It has been concluded that the additional measure- ‘ ments and analysis of samples during cleanup and during the 1970 survey i would not indicate the need for significant changes in the 1968 estimates i of exposure to residents which stand behind the decision to allow the 3h1e-T¥ Preparatory to the 1972 Bikini survey, Mr. Roger Ray and Mr. Frank Cluff of NVOO and I are to visit Saipan in early March 1972. We will be prepared to discuss with High Commissioner Johnston the plans and purpose for the next Bikini survey. Our aim.is to renew past working relationships with his staff and to obtain the necessary logistic support and concurrences for the AEC team visit to Bikini Atoll in May 1972. We expect to learn from Mr. Johnston the plans and progress in the agricultural rehabilitation of the Atoll and additional information on the schedule of return of the Bikini people. 'o) On return from Saipan we plan a short visit to Bikini Atoll to observe the implementation of AEC recommendations in the agricultural and housing construction projects and also a short visit to Eniwetok where project PACE is underway (to be covered later in this summary). , The 1972 followup radiological survey of Bikini Atoll is to begin about May 1, 1972, for twelve days. Within the ten-man team will be technical staff from the University of Washington Laboratory of Radiation Ecology (LRE), Western Environmental Research Laboratory (WERL) of EPA, Division } \- 2 h s ARP. \ CLASSIFICATION CA NCELLI ED” AUTHORITY: DO E/SA-20- Bikini people to return home. ites“a — fet s s WAGM«OA , he: tg This material cont n mnelegi aoe ; Ge U's -SEeRTT FLIG- S195” Po: 10% . &azs3 wi of pote @ es C4, fhe i we . forme“Hon» atteting tae ‘ ‘1 the cs [ transi a ARCa one . etpinton Rggrui mf prised : Jiu