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.