ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20545 -
September 15, 1977
At the Marshall Island Workshop several of you expressed concern over
the planned criteria and cleanup activities scheduled for Enewetak
Atoll in the near future. This concern led to an unsigned "statement
of concern" being sent to Dr. Liverman through me. I thought you
might be interested in what took place regarding this matter after
our meeting.
In response to these expressed concerns, Dr. Bruce W. Wachholz was
requested by Dr. Liverman to arrange for an immediate review of the
adequacy of both the cleanup criteria and the crater disposal plans,
together with any appropriate recommendations. This review was heid
August 15-17, 1977, at the Nevada Operations Office. A list of the
review group chaired by Dr. William J. Bair, Battelle-Northwest, is
enclosed.
Briefings of the background of the guidance, of the current
situation, and of proposed plans were presented by ERDA Headquarters
personnel, by Nevada Operations Office personnel, and by Defense Nuclear
Agency Headquarters and Field Command personnel. Opinions of all
interested parties were freely discussed.
Considering all factors the review group unanimously found that both
the cleanup criteria and the disposal plan were adequate and that
neither would result in unacceptable health and environmental risks.
Further, they reaffirmed the reasonableness of such activities.
Consequently, following this review Dr. Liverman feels that plans
should proceed as anticipated.
We hope that this review, a direct result of the Livermore Workshop,
will help to assure you that all aspects of the situation have been
considered not only by the several interested agencies and their staffs,
but also by a group of laboratory experts covering a variety of disci~
This review has helped to reassure us that our
goals and plans are appropriate ones, and we trust that you also will
pe reassured that your concerns were recognized and addressed.
dh). burr,
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Enclosure:
As stated
‘.
W. W. Burr, Jr.,’ M.D.
Deputy Director
Division of Biomedical and
Environmental Research
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