DRAFT
49
court order a radiological aerial survey of Bikini. They subsequently amend the original
motion and ask the court to enjoin the defendants from proceeding further with the
Bikini Resettlement Program until the government complies with the requirements of
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Theplaintiffs want the governmentto
begin an environmental impact study and the court to prohibit the government from
reprogramming funds earmarked for the Bikini Resettlement Program. The
Marshallese also ask the court to require the government to submit to the court a
plan for completing a radiological study of the Bikini people.**
9 Oct 75
ADMINISTRATION
RADIATION
After Martin B. Biles, director of ERDA/DOS, and Roger Ray agree that the NV
can fulfill the tasks and responsibilities of ERDA under the DNA-ERDA Enewetak
cleanup agreement, Biles designates the NV as the office in charge of carrying out the
ERDA portion of that agreement.
.
1976
CONTRACTOR
RADIATION
PLUTONIUM
WEAPON TESTING
The BNLinitiates an external radiation survey program for Rongelap, Rongerik,
Ailuk, Wotje, and Utirik Atolls to gather information on ambientradiation levels from
weapontesting in order to make external dose calculations for peopleliving in the
surveyed areas.”
Urine bioassays from Bikini show plutonium” and plutonium”levels higher
than 1971 by a factor of two. Cesium'*’ levels from urine are higher than 1970
values by factor of about 30. Strontium” levels are higher by a factor of aboutfive.
This information is provided as testimony during House Appropriations Committee
hearings in spring 1978. It is reportedly from an 11 May 1977. memorandum from
Conard to: Liverman.™.a
pots
.
.
rTe
23 Jan - 20 Feb 76
.
++ CONTRACTOR
MEDICAD'
RADIATION(: ooeee:
RELOCATION
On 23 January Roger Ray, ERDA/NV assistant manager for environment and
safety, recommends to James L Liverman, ERDA directorof the division of biomedical
and environmental research (DBER), approval of a BNL medical team "sick call" to
y
Bikini Island residents. According to Ray, NV is prepared to support this activity and
to assist with an accompanying information program. Ray bases his recommendation
on requests from Oscar de Brum, Marshall Islands district administrator, and the
Bikini representative and the awareness ofthe islanders’ apprehension about possible
radiation effects because of their residence on Bikini Island. On 20 February
Liverman approves the BNLvisit to Bikini during the regular medical survey of the
Marshall Islands, providing that the Bikinians invite the team, that their attorney and
the T.T. government approve, “and that adequate explanation be provided to the
Bikini people to the effect that the sick call is not necessitated by any radiation
exposure that they may have received.”
Soguud