‘ vO —79 ¢ @ F- R09 BIKINI RESETTLEMENT PLAN RELEASED A further step toward the return of the Bikini people was taken when the President transmitted a budget request of § I 20%, s1? cor fiscal year 1970 for the cleanup of the atoll, the construction of housing and a village center for the first returnees, and the initiation of a replanting program designed to make the main islands of Bikini and Enyu once again productive. 47 es Shae ger “Clean-up will actually begin in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1969 with the use of $600,000 made available by the Atomic Energy Commission and the Defemse Department," Secretary Udall stated. "Funds requested in fiscal year 1970 are intended to complete the clean-up job and to make major inroads on the construction and replanting projects." Secretary Udall has released a resettlement program prepared by the High Commissioner of the Trust Territory with the assistance of personnel from the Atomic Energy Commission, the Defense Department and the Department of the Interior. The resettlement program is the direct result of a survey trip made to Bikini in late August following the President's announcement that the Bikini people could be returned. The survey trip was designed to develop basic informa- tion for planning a resettlement program. The resettlement of the Bikini people is planned to be phased over a six-year period, beginning in fiscal year 1970 and costing an estimated $3,000,000 over that period. The first step, and the largest single cost element, is the clearing of the atoll and test-related debris and the clearing of scrub vegetatioa to permit replanting of coconuts and other food and commercial crops. Six months are estimated for the clean-up phase at a cost of approximately $1,200,000. 5065593 asU