d. At this time, we are firmly committed to terminate the cleanup and rehabilitation of Enewetak on 15 April 1980. By this date, all DOD, DOE, and DOI operations are to be complete, including the planting of coconut trees. As you are aware, the lack of adequate transuranic characterization data in the northern islands delayed the start of soil removal on these islands. Fortunately, we were able to concentrate on debris removal, and thus avoid delaying the entire cleanup program. It now appears that the lack of adequate current suburanic characterization data is having a delaying effect on plans for the rehabilitation and resettlement efforts. If all coconut trees are not planted in this planting season (Jun-Nov 79), there will be no other optimum planting opportunities prior to 15 April 1980. Consequently, there would be no DOD-provided base facilities to support such an effort (aircraft, boats, billets, mess, communications, fuel, etc.). Therefore, the complete implementation of the coconut tree planting program in 1979 seems essential. Incidentally, regardless of the final decision on planting a full density of trees on any of the northern islands, it would seem to me to be very prudent to at least plant a "minimum grid" of trees on all the principal islands. ; < If this is not done now, how will the data be obtained to allow SE Se TS eae studies and analysis concerning the eventual usefulness of these islands for commercial coconut agriculture? I know that we are all extremely concerned about the events that have occurred on Bikini, and that none of us desire to see this repeated on Enewetak Atoll. Nevertheless, as Undersecretary Joseph so ably pointed 4 C5)