DRAFT
65
the DOE/NV organized and conducted the radiological survey of 288 islands in the
northern Marshalls as part of the DOE project. Recognizing that EP has been
responsible since 1977 for the Marshall Islands p
ms, Roser explains that, except
for the professional medical responsibility, the technical resou
currently in the
Marshall Islands are primarily weapons-related and are part of the Safeguard "C"
program to maintain the capability to resume atmospheric testing. "In fact,” adds
Roser, "much of the field effort in the Marshall Islands is ar exercise of the
expeditionary capability which is an important aspect of Defense
rams’ Safeguard
‘C.™ Because most of the DOE logistic and support base "is| common to the
Safeguard 'C' readiness program," DP should assume direction
DOE Marshall Isiand activities, Roser concludes."
afd control of the
25 Mar 82
ADMINISTRATION
Kris Morris reports that Herman E. Roser has signed the pspposalto transfer
the Marshail Islands program to DP. The only issue is one of
where to locate the
program in DP: in program support (PS) or safety, environment
and emergency
actions (SEEA). Morris recommendsthat the program be placed in |PS. She does not
foresee the need for additional staff because the bulk of the work if done in NV and
the Pacific Area support office (PASO).
Apr 82
ADMINISTRATION
:
Dr. Charles W. Edington, associate director of the DOE OHER,
calls the linking
of Safeguard "C" to the Marshall Islands program “ludicrous.” Edingfon drafts an issue
paper discussing the proposed transfer of the Marshall Islands pragram to DP. The
paper, which was never sent, concludes: DP does not have the médical or technical
staff to manage the program and an association of the health carp
and radiological
monitoring programs to the weaponsprogram will destroy any pretqnse of objectivity.
OHERsees no point in continuing research at the Mid-Pacific Mariqe Laboratory. He
perceives this attempt as another effort to transfer management @f the program to
NV. Edington recommendsthat if EP is unwilling to retain the program that it be
transferred to ER/EHER instead of DP. He also acknowledges fhe differences of
opinion between the DOE and NV on DOE's role in the Marshall
Blands: while the
DOE maintains that it is an advisor to the DOI and the DOD] NV has led the
Marshallese to believe that the DOE has a greater responsibility tan is the case.‘
14 Apr 82
ADMINISTRATION
J. W. Thiessen,
acting deputy associate director of
recommendation of Roser to transfer the Marshall Islands progra
believes that Roser’s recommendation results from pressures fromy
P, opposes the
to DP. Thiessen
NV to take over
the policy direction of a program in which NV has had only logistic support
responsibility. According to Thiessen, DP also wants the program qontrol in order to
retain the Mid-Pacific Research Laboratory on Enjebi island. Thiessdn fears that if the
program is transferred to DP, then headquarters would not be congulted adequately.
Moreover, Thiessen thinks that the DOE should close the Mid-Pacific Research
Laboratory because it has been inactive for several year. He recorpmendsthat if EP
wishes to drop theprogram, then the Marshall Islands project shopld be transferred
back to his office.