——_$ cyO03 buy MOKavyling ham, CGC. October 29, 1975 fCeeney Malivat uno hecuceL tart D, ivennn hes STATEMENT OF ERDA POSITION ON BIKINI INJUNCTION AO 7 & The purpose of this memorandum is to state the ERDA position on suite filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii on the People of Bikini, et al vs Robert C. Seamans, Jr., et al, Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Background In 1946 the President approved for National security reasons, the use of Bikini Atoll for nuclear te g. Inthe period 1946 to 1958, 23 nuclear Les were Cede Bikini Atoll. Following a request from the Secretary of the Interior in December 1966, AEC agreed to review the radiological conditionsand make recommendations on the return of the Bikini people. In August 1968 the President announced the decision to return the Bikini people to their . Atoll. Also, the President directed the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Interior and Chairman of AEC to t cooperate in the Bikini resettlement program. The AEC was paienertty responsible radiological matters. $ hes if ages and assistance on Abe The ‘Bod, cohduet e cleanup. The Department of the Interior$3 responsible for rehabili ation and resettlement. During the period 1966 to the present, AEC/ERDA has contimed to provide the DOI with advice on the radiological aspects of the rehabilitation and resettlement of Bikini Atoll. BEST AVAILABLE COPY Periodic followup radiological surveys of Bikini have been conducted specifically in 1970, 1972 and 1975. In January 1975, ERDA agreed to conduct a radiological evaluation and make an assessment of the Trust Territory's preliminary plans for constructing additional housing at Bikini Atoll. A radiological survey of Bikiniand Eneu,was made in June 1975, andtre preliminary results of thesurvey were presented at a briefing, August yo Ald: der al infovare ten avd asfesSmtn IY, shat siy Mb.dhs. doy were be provi RC US DOE ARCHIVES 326 U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY Faraut @¥ dsalob sat %2 WSDL ly Collection Dos[ Deal E:les Box___ 13 seb /326 Folder 4- es ‘ vir Cervrespondenteg. ’