Starting in 1965, and after passage of P.L. thyroid abnormality effects began to appear among 88-485, late the Rongelap population and these increased yearly. By the mid-1970's, Similar thyroid abnormalities began to appear in the people of Utirik. This led on March 17, 1977, to the submission to Congress by Interior of a bill to provide additional ex gratia compensation for the people of Rongelap and initial compensation for the people of Utirik. The bill also provided a flat $1,000 ex gratia payment to all of the affected Utirikese. This submission resulted in P.L. 95-134 (91 Stat. 1159), approved October 15, 1977, which provided specific amounts of compensation for specific injuries or death. The first , appropriation under P.L. 95-134 was made in the regular FY 78 Interior Appropriation Act. Under P.L. 95-134, to date some $1,383,000 in individual payments have been made as follows: Rongelap Exposed 35 payments of $25,000.....-...-.... 1 death payment..........-.--2-52-- S$ S$ 875,000 100,000 $ S$ 158,000 250,000 Utirik Exposed 158 individual ex gratia payments.... 10 payments of $25,000.........-.... Total to date.........-. $1,383,000 Additional late thyroid effect cases continue to appear in these two affected groups. It should be clearly noted that P.L. 95-134 provides for compensation only to the affected individuals who were on Rongelap or Utirik on March 1, 1954, and primarily revolves around the effect of thyroid abnormalities. P.L. 95-134 does not provide for any future effects which might develop in succeeding generations in these two groups -- nor, of course, in any other group. We hope that there will not be any claims of this sort They were not exposed to from the Bikini or Enewetak people. 145 advance Bikinhk however, aware, are you As fallout. direct residents were evacuated in August 1978 from Bikini Island when it was determined that continued residence there would be In 1980, we expect that the detrimental to their health. people of Enewetak Atoll will be returning to the southern part We cannot predict at this time what if any of their atoll. effects will result from long-term residence in areas where low radiation will be present for generations to come. ONSTA et See eT de tte SR ETD OT AEE TE RTPI Tetore a0 | Phe 3