“~

strontium and cesium which are the radionuclides causing the problem
with respect to planting of coconut trees.

Analysis of this more recent

data might well reveal lower levels of these two nuclides than were
reported in the 1974 survey, and consequently, possibly permit planting
on some or all of these northeastern islands.

In any event, information

provided in Mr. Deal's letter was not sufficient to provide a convincing
rationale for changing these long-agreed-to plans to plant coconuts on
the northeast islands.
c.

During a 4 May 1978 conference on Enewetak, one of the most signif-

icant changes made in the cleanup plan was the decision to SaeGiate removal
of soil containing high levels of transuranics from Enjebi and attempt to
bring it down as nearly as possible to the residential criterion level of
40 picocuries per gram (pCi/g).

This decision meant that the dri-Enjebi

people might be able to return to their home island at some time in the
future (perhaps 30-50 years) when radionuclides, such as strontium and
cesium, had further decayed.

We have, in fact, now made the decision to

proceed with soil removal so as to attain the residential level of 40
pCi/g, and the cleanup forces are fully engaged in achieving this important
task.

Mr. Deal's letter recommended that coconut trees not be planted now

on any of the northeast islands or Enjebi.

Yet, we know that if the

people are eventually to live on Enjebi, they must have a means for subsistence and growing cash crops such as commercial coconut or copra.

It

would appear that Enjebi will present little or no more risk than any of
the northeast islands.
10,000 coconut trees.

Further, it offers a single island site for over

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