401579
UNITED STATES
‘Tyee, ole AG
(,
ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATICN
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20545
August 12, 1977
James L. Liverman, AES
ENEWETAK REVIEW
Pursuant to conversations with Ken Cowser, Bill Burr, and coe Deal,
I have proceeded to organize an immediate review of the Enewetak
Situation. Attached is a list of the attendees and a tentetive
agenda. The meeting will be held at the Nevada Operations Office
and is expected to last through the week of August 15-19. We have
kept DNA fully informed; they are most concerned about this activity
at this late time (see memo to you from Joe Deal this date re this
subject).
_
The objectives of the review are two:
1)
2)
Review of AEC recommendations for clean-up and rehabilitation
of Enewetak Atoll, specifically the criteria for Pu-239 in soil;
Review of environmental and health implications of, anc longterm monitoring requirements for, disposal of contaminated debris
and soil.
The review group will be requested to either endorse the present
criteria and plans, or to present alternate recommendations with
justification. Before the meeting disbands, I would look io have
a report available for your consideration.
The potential exposure of the Enewetakese from soil contamination has
been addressed in the past. Therefore it should be possible to review
this material, relate it to potential exposure of the native lifestyles
under varying degrees of constraint, derive potential heai:h consequences
resulting therefrom, and arrive at some conclusions as to the accept-.
ability of the clean-up criteria. As of August 11, howeve-, the risk
acceptability factor upon which the EPA transuranic guidance is based
has been challenged within EPA. ORP unofficially advises chat the
guidance itself will not change; Rowe has not yet endorsed this,
lowever.
{See accompanying memo}.
I requested of EPA/ORP an