determined that AEC could fund the airfield ‘improvements in the

amount of $794,400 plus an additional amount which would be available for warehousing, power cables from Parry Island, new barracks,

and the like. At the same time, AEC requested that the Task Force
seek authority to utilize operational funds for the first three
groups of projects listed above.

This request was mde on the

grounds that they were of primary interest to the military and that
AEC funds were not sufficient to cover their cost.

This was agreed

to by the Task Force and approval of the Secretary.of Defense was

obtained on 22 August 1953 to use $354,595 to carry out the work.
Though this work began very shortly, it would have been a great advantage if the entire matter had been dealt with and settled at an

earlier date.
A Similar and allied problem arose later in CASTLE when it was
realized that the erosion which had occurred on the lagoon side of
Eniwetok Island during Typhoon HESTER was continuing through the
ensuing year to such a degree that roadways, building foundations,

and several other facilities were being greatly jeopardized.

It

became evident toward the end of 1953 that the only effective action

for this condition would be provision of a 9 ,000-foot, concrete seawall.

Once again, it was considered that this would be an AEC re-

sponsibility; and, once again, funds were not available without

the sacrifice of other essential work. Continuing erosion became
the mtter of such urgency by early 1954 that in March, 1954, CJIF

SEVEN approved the use of $210,000 of Task Force operational funds

39

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