DRAFT 27 7 Dec 66 RELOCATION Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall advises AEC Chairman Seaborg that the DO! is "most anxious to determine whether the Bikini people can now be returned to their homeland" and asks the AEC to review the issue at the “earliest opportunity.” Udall’s primary concern is that the Bikinians’ plight might convince all Micronesians to vote against permanentaffiliation with the U.S. in their upcoming plebiscite.'” 1967 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL BNLstudies conclude, “with increasing probability," that growth retardation in “some of the Rongelap children" has resulted from "hypofunction of the thyroid gland.” 24 Jan 67 CONTRACTOR RELOCATION Officials from the University of Washington, BNL, the DOI, FRC, and the AEC, including the Health and Safety Laboratory (HASL) of NYOO,decideto resurvey Bikini Atoll to determineif its people can be returned there. Ed Held is selected to plan the expedition. '” Mar 67 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conard diagnoses a new case of nodules in a 17-year-old boy. Of the 19 children under age 10 exposed in 1954, 16 have "developed thyroid pathology,” with two displaying hypothyroidism. To date, 11 people have been operated on andall are in "good condition with no further ... abnormalities.". Those children who have not been operated on are receiving hormones.’” Apr - May 67 RADIATION © RELOCATION == si ite ote ae tt “ ‘The AEC ‘undertakes a survey of the Bikini’ Atoll to determine "levels and components of external gamma radiation fields." Cesium” is found to be the "major contributor ... to the total exposure rate" on 8ikini and Eneu Islands, and because of its 30.5 year half-life its "levels on Bikini ... are likely to be the limiting factor in assessing the long term hazards" to repopulating the island.""”* An agricultural survey of Bikini Atoll finds that “while a small part of the atoll was damaged bythe nuclear explosions, the atoll as a whole could support coconut groves and subsistence crops." In addition, fish and seabirds could provide an “extended supply of sustenance." It is recommended to begin an “early agricultural rehabilitation program" to prepare the islands for resettlement. Such a program is expected to last four years and cost $165,000.'” Cot C3 Cc. Cl: “sy An anthropological study of the Bikinians and their leaders reveals that most are dissatisfied with Kili and wish to return to Bikini.'”