DRAFT 35 situation at Enewetak and that at Bikini and the need for a radi Enewetak.** 26 Mar 72 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY Micronesian P.L. 4C-33 creates from the Micronesian legislat@re a SpecialJoint Committee Concerning Ronge’ap and Utirik. The committee ig responsible for investigating the effects of radiation on the people of Rongelap andjUtirik Atolls, and is charged with securing medical assistance and compensation for those injured from radiation exposure. Olympio T. Borja, Marianas senator, is chairman. Other committee members are Representatives Hans Williander of Truk ang Timothy Olkeriil of Palau. 18 Apr 72 AGREEMENT High Commissioner Edward E. Johnston and U.S. Ambassad@r Franklin Haydn Williams, of the DOI, announce that the U.S. government is pr@pared to release Enewetak Atoll to the T.T. at the end of 1973. The announcement &cknowledges the necessity of survey, cleanup, and rehabilitation procedures such those done on Bikini. Parry, japtan, and Aniyaanii are to receive first priorityy in cleanup and rehabilitation. The DOD, with technical support of the AEC, ig to conduct the cleanup. The U.S. plans research and development tests on the at@ll that should be completed by the end of 1973.7” May 72 CONTRACTOR RADIATION © A survey is conducted on Bikini Atoll following planting of and Eneu Islands and the start of house construction on Bikini. air, plant, soil, and animal sampling and external Radionuclide levels are found to be decreasing slowly. radiation) onuts on Bikini Jhe survey covers measurements. The teqm is led by the University of Washington, with participation by scientists from the FPA, the Western Environmental Research Laboratory (WERL), and the AEC.”* 10-24 May 72 RADIATION A survey team of AEC, DOD, and EPA personnel visits §newetak Atoll to determine the nature and extent of the necessary cleanup and a c@st estimate. The team finds a significant radiological hazard existing on six islands: [Bogallus, Engebi, Aomon,Biijiri, Runit, and Parry. Results of the survey lead to a estimate of as much as $40 million and a conclusion that Runit tsland and perhabs Enjebi may be so contaminated that it may not be "economically feasible to make them safe for human use.” 11-17 May 72 PLUTONIUM RADIATION An AEC team conducts a preliminary radiological survey ayd locates surface plutonium contamination on Runit Island. This includes plutonium-Bearing sand layer outcropping on the ocean side of the mid-island area, plutonium fragments and grains on the island surface, and contaminated scrap metal throughout tBe island.”