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JUN 19 7275
Dear Mr.
Seoreto ry:
Recut Covweiep ect
love cause ¢ «rave coneerns as respects our
respons. « ities teo.rd the recy ie of the Trust Territory of the
Pacif
bocends,
re
eer these of Bikini, Enewetak, Rengelap,
Utirik end Ronyerit. Stolls.
The cleanup, of Bikini, in anticipction of the eventual settlement,
was a joint effort emong the Department of the Interior, Department
of Defense, Atomic Energy Cormission end the Trust Territory of the
Pacific Islands, cs set forth in the enclosed August 12, 19 68,
instructions from President Jolnson.
As we were proceeding with the
construction prosran
the Atomic nergy Commission, in November 1974,
One
informed us of some recent radiological findings that caused us to
stop the project.
We were told that a sophisticated follow-on
survey wes highly Cosirable not cnly on Bikini but throughout the
various nuclear test areas.
To that end, Secretary Morton, in his
March 7, 1975, letter to you requested logistics support fo r the
Energy Researen ana Development Administration survey.
Unfortunately,
» 1975 repiv, the Department ot Defense could
in Mr. Clo.wents! May
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not prcvide this uniess
Trae
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$609,009 in costs could be reimburs ed.
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Department of the Interior was unable to identify funds for this, nor
could ERDA which was prepared to cbsorb all other related costs fro
monies already proprammed.
Consequently, we are deeply concerned
that a quclity radiological survey such as that performed on Enevwetar,
whose pecple wild net
be coming back for some time, cannot be made
availeble
in a timely, fashion tor
the RBikinicns whose return is
immincnt.
To compound the situation, on June 11 the Marshallese chief, who
claims control over the atolls of Rongelap, Utirik and Rongerik, all
accidental fallout areas from the 1954 Bravo test on Bikini, visited
the Director of Territorial Affairs, claiming loss of use and other
damage as a result of this event.
He contends that the U.S.
Government never presented the people with a briefing of any radiooo —
logical survey conducted nor to date has told his people that
Rongerik is habitable.
It is clear that the U.S.
Governnent has and will continue to have
for many years, a long-term responsibility for thorough monitoring of
couse
“ENERGY
From
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Save Energy and You Serve America!
9603
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