BOCESae UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION a te NEVADA OPERATIONS OFFICE P.O. BOX 14100 LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 69114 ae A) 2: ar ye aad ted yf CONFIRMED fe Major General E. B. Giller, USAF Assistant General Manager for Military Application, HQ BIKINI/ENIWETOK RADIOLOGICAL SURVEYS TO BE LHS UNCLASSIFIED APTHORITY: DOE/SA-20 oo 5 hg 7 Cethabsy BY Usp. may DATE? th -Sa Vt1¥ (i445 Loy This acknowledges your 22 July letter advising that weapons program funds are not to be used for Bikini and Eniwetok radiologic surveys and cleanup activities. As discussed in advance with you, we did participate last week in an Air Force Weapons Laboratory recon of Eniwetok preliminary to their conducting a cratering program there; however, all of our costs were reimbursable except the Program 18 salary and travel of the one NVOO participant. We have previously expressed our concerns relative to the Bikini situation, but feel you should be apprised of what we learned at the recent Eniwetok reconnaissance. This involved a quick look at seven shot islands, including a general radiation survey of each entire island. Most measurements were taken at the ground surface. Substantial quantities of activated metal debris were discovered at radiation levels of up to 35 mr/hr on contact. Using a PAC-1S survey instrument we found in addition what appears to be a significant plutonium contamination along one stretch of beach. This area 1s subject to erosion into the ocean from rain and probably high tide action. Evaluation of the possible hazard presented by this area of contamination must await analysis of soil samples. A number of craters were surveyed, and the highest gross gamma exposure rates encountered ranged up to l mr/hr. Of all the locations examined, the highest measurements of gamma, plutonium and scrap metal counts exist on the island of Yvonne (Runit), which has been used by Kentron (the maintenance contractor) and the Coast Guard for recreation purposes. Soil and water samples were taken from several of the islands, and results will be avail- able for evaluation within the next six weeks. It is of significance however that we found areas on several of the islands which would be considered controlled areas based on present NTS criteria. This situation at Yvonne was discussed informally with the Kentron site Manager, who indicated that the area would be placed off limits to Kentron personnel, However it may be appropriate that AEC/Headquarters formally contact the DOT (Coast Guard) and DOD (Kentron) to apprise them of these prelim inary findings and suggest suitable precautionary measures. Department of the Interior (Trust Territories) should probably also be notified when th situation becomes better understood. 0 SoU yup 7 ut Doty Dini,