i
Brig. General Alfred D. Starbird
~3-
MAR 2
4957
Taongi would probably be much less usefull to the DOD for effects
studies than Bikini. The area available and high contamination
probability at Taongi bear out this point.
The Eniwetok Planning Board held its first scheduled meeting on
February 26; and, although formal minutes will not be immediately
available, representative of this office concluded that the Board
generally agreed that:
1.
Use of Taongi would almost certainly shorten the |
2.
From the standpoint of fallout on populated atolis,
Tacongi is a safer place to fire large shots than
Bikini or Eniwetok.
3.
Offsetting these advantages are the additional costs
in dollars of developing the site; procuring, outfitting, and operating a diagnostic ship; additional
operation and probably by about three weeks.
weather and other operational support.
4.
While the Board agrees that Taongi cannot be considered
5.
The Board reaffirms that an early decision on Taongi
is necessary.
essential, its use would be advantageous.
These conclusions were the result of at least six hours of extensive
deliberation by the Board.
PermanentizingSite Nan:
Any development of a permanent base camp at Site Nan should not
be predicated on Taongi operations. Rather, this is premised on
the separate real estate operations concept. There is good
reasoning in the UCRL-LASL desire to separate their operations,
indeed, as their laboratories are separate. Operational efficiency
and elimination of conflicting interests in site and area utilization would result. We therefore suggest that this subject be
considered as separate and apart from the Taongi proposal.
Diagnostic Ship:
It is our opinion that the diagnostic ship should be acquired and
controlled by the AEC. There should be no strings on making
hy
(continued)