Mr. Hal Hollister 2 December 21, 1978 for administrative purposes. To facilitate funding that the task group considers necessary, it may help to establish a project review group consisting of the Director~-of OHE~, OECO, and OMS to approve the proposed budgets and provide funds. An advisory committee, such as the Northern Marshall Islands Advisory Group, might also serve in support of the program. “The most crucial factor in assuring the plan’s effectiveness is the selection of the Marshall Islands program manager and chairman of the task group. The person filling this position would have major tasks to integrate the effort, develop an active plan and successfully deal with issues raised by other government While the position agencies and by the Marshallese and their representatives. devote sufficient time to these may not be full-time, the managershould responsibilities and have adequate funding and technical and clerical staff support. There ‘are several possible candidates for a program manager. In accordance with our telephone conversation, you would be the logical person to assume this responsibility for many good reasons. These include your experience, knowledge of the Marshall Islands program arid the fact that you already report directly However, I recognize the compelling reasons, such as your other to Mrs. Clusen. important assignments, that probably make you unavailable. In considering other possibilities, I would rule out other DOE staff who have current responsibilities in the Pacific because it would be difficult, if not impossible, for one of them to gain the full cooperation of other participants Appointing someone from a laboratory could be an attractive ~n the program. option; however, it might pose problems unless the appointee were from a laboratory that is not participating in the Marshall Islands program in any capacity, even advisory. In view of these considerations, I feel that Dr. Bruce Wachholz is the most desirable choice to assume management responsibility for the Marshall Islands He is well qualified in terms of experience and knowledge of the program program. and he would rank h~gh among all possible candidates. Dr. Wachholz also has abundant experience in working with participating DOE organizational components and other government agencies. I have complete confidence in his ability to provide-the direction required for the Northern Marshall Islands program. As you know, this is an urgent matter. A program manager should be in place early in January so that he can deal with the Enewetak issues. Also, it is imperative that a program planbe developed soon to provide guidance to all participants because it appears that prior to a postcleanup survey and dose assessment, steps are being taken towards resettlement of Enewetak. These steps may be in conflict with eventual DOE recommendations. I will be pleased to discuss this further. Sincerely yours, . P W. J. Bair, Ph.D., Manager Environment, Health, and Safety Research Program WJB:ms