2. A method has been proposed of producing, in situ, by thermal and mechanical means, relatively insoluble iron-rich silica compounds like those which appear as natural end products of soil and rock weathering in certain parts of the world. This would require the Pu-contaminated surface layers to be picked up, fired to temperatures sufficient to fuse iron-silica mixes which would carry the Pu into inert, chemically inactive compounds, thereby effectively removing Pu from wind, weathering, and biotic processes. This would likely be expensive, disruption of the environment would be complete, and recovery would be uncertain. 3. Leaving the Pu on the soil and rendering the soil surface immobile by surface agglomeration and fixation or by covering with a macadam or concrete surface, from biotic processes, also intended to remove Pu has been proposed. All these proposals have certain characteristics in common. Their objectives are to remove Pu from contact with biotic cycles, and from the further widespread distribution by wind and water. Most of the proposed methods would require extensive disturbance of the areas. Some would also present the hazard of contributing to further distribution of the element, even if on a short term, and some would leave earth surfaces denuded of native vegetation and subject to severe erosional processes on whatever Pu may have been left subsequent to the operation. All proposals are based on the hypothesis that Pu in the field in its present state under present conditions is a hazard which should be eliminated or at least properly mitigated. There is a concomitant with this position paper, a solicitation of proposals for pilot projects to undertake cleanup of Pu-contaminated areas and other areas contaminated with other nuclear debris. No doubt there will be other methods proposed or combinations of the above-suggested methods. This paper is a response to that solicita- tion for proposals, but supports, instead, the hypotheses that 167