_ re ee cued am ee Ee i Warren D. Johnson ee ee ee ia i et - 4 - to be disposed by removing some of the plutonium from the soil. Whether such reduction is econciaically sound would depend on the final disposal method and its asyociated cost. Should deep ocean burial be the chosen prethod, the removal of plutonium from the soil would not be a cost circetive action. In recognition of the above points, DNA should plan iis cleanup and disposal actions as if no additional guidance from AEC way be forthcowing. Any. results of a further AEC study to determine the pessibility of reducing the volume of plutonium-contaminated material should be viewed as an added benefit. Our di:.cussions with staff of the Department of the Interior during the Septer-o-y 1974 visit to Enewetak Atoll indicated that a group of people from Ujelaug Atoll will be allowed to return to Japtan Island before cleanup operations begin. In a July 18, 1974 letter to the Department of the Interior, AERC presanted its views on the safety aspects of any proposed early return of people to Japtan. We view an early return as a significant step that should be tre..ted in the DEES. Sincerely, 4 Jjpes L. Liverman Assistant General Manager for Biomedical and Environmental Research and Safety Programs Enclosure: Staff Ceport ec: : . Council on Environmental Quality, w/encl. (5) *e-