DRAFT 7 7 May 53 ADMINISTRATION LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY Gen. K. E. Fields, director of military application, informa the AEC general counsel that the DMA "has always held that there is no need for purchasing or leasing” the land used at Enewetak and Bikini Atolls for weapon tegting. He explains that with current AEC use of these atolls through agreement with the Navy and DOI, "We maintain possession to a sufficient degree" to conduct the AffC testing without hindrance.“ 26 Jun 53 WEAPONTESTING Adm. A. W. Radford, commander-in-chief of the Pacific fleet,Istates that, based on Ivy experience, the aerial survey could be greatly reduced during Castle and that atolls in the Marshall Islands that lie within a potentially hazardou& radius from the test site would require individual surveillance by the aerial techniqte.“ 21 Oct 53 RADIATION RELOCATION Gordon Dunningof the AEC discusses safety precautions fog the Castle series with the observation that the "main objection to evacuation is the figh cost and the logistic problems presented in supporting such an operation." Edvard Heller of the JCAE reports that this matter will be discussed with Dr. John C. Bhgher, director of the AEC division of biology and medicine (DBM) when hereturns from his vacation in mid-November.“ 31 Oct 53 RELOCATION WEAPONTESTING In its preliminary radiological safety plan for the Castle semes the joint task force does not expect to evacuate native populations before the Cistle series. The rationale for not conducting such evacuations is based on February [1953 discussions between cognizant headquarters sections, radiological documengation from ivy, "apparent unrealism in the assumption of health hazards of a magnjtude conjectured for Ivy,” a policy of financial austerity for FY 1954, and the unavailatiility of task force equipment for evacuations. The plan states, "However, consideration of populated islands will be one of the major factors influencing the decision tofshoot." Commenting on the proposals, H. G. Hopwood, chief [pf staff for the CINCPACELT, advises the CINCPACFLT that the upwind populated arpas “presentleast concern since they are situated in a potentially safe region" but] that the "cloud tracking within the danger area will not provide information usefull to CINCPACFLT in the discharge of his responsibilities for the safety of other units and populated islands of the Pacific. . . . In the remote circumstance that exfreme post shot conditions develop a necessity for the temporary evacuation of any populated island in the Marshalls, units of JTF-7 would be required to accomplish this emergency measure upon the request of CINCPACFLT."”