DRAFT
27
7 Dec 66
RELOCATION
Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall advises AEC Chairman Seaborg that the
DOI is "most anxious to determine whether the Bikini people caf now be returned
to their homeland" and asks the AEC to review the issue at the "earliest opportunity.”
Udall’s primary concern is that the Bikinians’ plight might convin¢e all Micronesians
to vote against permanentaffiliation with the U.S. in their upconfing plebiscite.'”
1967
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
BNL studies conclude, "with increasing probability,” that
h retardation in
"some of the Rongelap children" has resulted from "hypofunction of the thyroid
gland.”
24 Jan 67
CONTRACTOR
RELOCATION
Officials from the University of Washington, BNL, the DOI,
FRC, and the AEC,
including the Health and Safety Laboratory (HASL) of NYOO,decid® to resurvey Bikini
Atoll to determineif its people can be returned there. Ed Held is selected to plan the
expedition.
Mar 67
CONTRACTOR
, MEDICAL
Conard diagnoses a new case of nodules in a 17-year-ol@ boy. Of the 19
children under age 10 exposed in 1954, 16 have "developed thyro# pathology,” with
two displaying hypothyroidism. To date, 11 people have been operated on andall
are in "good condition with no further ... abnormalities." Those ghildren who have
not been operated on are receiving hormones.’”
Apr - May 67
RADIATION
RELOCATION
The AEC undertakes a survey of the Bikint Atoll to detefmine "levels and
components of external gammaradiation fields." Cesium’is foungi to be the "major
contributor ... to the total exposure rate” on Bikini and Eneu Islands, and because of
its 30.5 year half-life its "levels on Bikini ... are likely to be thej limiting factor in
assessing the long term hazards” to repopulating the island.”'”*
An agricultural survey of Bikini Atoll finds that “while a smal part of theatoll
was damaged by the nuclear explosions, the atoll as a whole coul@ support coconut
groves and subsistence crops." In addition, fish and seabirds
frould provide an
"extended supply of sustenance." It is recommended to begin anf"early agricultural
rehabilitation program” to prepare the islands for resettlement.
Such a program is
expected to last four years and cost $165,000.’
An anthropological study of the Bikinians and their leaders reveals that most
are dissatisfied with Kili and wish to return to Bikini."”