STAPF COMMENTS It is expected that the results of dose estimates for use of Eneu as a village island will depend to a considerable degree on the assumptions regarding land use and diet. The task of providing additional advice to DOI is further complicated by observing that while we have a chance to correct past mistakes, the problem of limiting exposures in an atoll environment is more difficult than recognized earlier. Though the residency limitations of the return to Bikini Atoll were never well unéexstoed by the Rikinians and any wnder- standing they may have had has been further dimmed by time, the fact is that the AEC recommendation to President Johnson for their return to the atoll and the subsequent plans for cleanup and rehabilitation of the atoll, were based primarily upon radiological considerations. First, that the U.&. radiation protection standards for exposures of individuals will be used to determine what is "safe."* Second, that any restrictions to limit exposures be simple and easily wnderstood by the Bikinians, and three, that all involved parties maintain a spirit of cooperation to achieve the goal of the Bikinians again living in safety on their atoll. the people, their advisors, These parties include the Trust Territory Government, and agencies of the Federal Governnent. In addition, past judgements and recommendations have been based on dose estimates using the average contamination level of land and food as opposed to "worst case" conditions. We believe this approach is still valid. *Thére is no decumertation that a numerical balance or tradeoff was made between the benefits of the Bikinlans revuinm and the risks of radiation exposure. As stated in 1968, the pre- dicted exposures "do not offer a significant threat to health and safety." In our strict application of Federal radiation standards for a similar decision to return the Fnewetakese to their atoll, EPA considered the numerical values of these standards as upper limits.