PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER 12088, FEDERAL COMPLIANCE WITH POLLUTION CONTROL
STANDARDS (1978)
This order requires the head of each executive agency to take actions for
the prevention, control, and abatement of environmental pollution with respect
to federal facilities and activities. This directive covers toxic substances,
water pollution, drinking water, air emissions, noise, solid waste, radiation,
ocean dumping, pesticides, and other biocides.
MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT AND MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT
Although these acts may presently apply to Bikini, none of the cleanup
options will probably affect marine mammals covered by the Acts. Some
alternatives (topping, excavation, transfer of soil to another islet) will
result in removal of trees and shrubs and could affect some seabird nesting
habitat. Coordination with the US Fish and Wildlife Service will identify
measures, if any, to comply with migratory bird treaties and acts.
PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER 12114, ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ABROAD OF MAJOR
FEDERAL ACTIONS (1979)
This order does not presently apply to Bikini which is a part of the U.S.
‘administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. However, ratification of
the Compact may render the order applicable to federal actions in the Republic
of the Marshall Islands.
If applicable, this executive order would require
the federal (executive branch) agency to comply with applicable US or host
country environmental laws and regulations, whichever are more stringent.
CLEAN AIR ACT
Bikini Atoll (and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) is not a
“State" as technically defined in the Act and is therefore outside the
Jurisdiction of the Clean Air Act.
RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY ACT
Although the Act applies to the Trust Territory, none of the proposed
rehabilitation options will involve the handling of hazardous wastes as
defined and listed in the Act. However, any actions to remove or dispose of
oil and explosives contained in the lagoon shipwrecks may require coordination
with EPA and/or permits in accordance with the Act.
3.
ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING AT BIKINI ATOLL
A.
INTRODUCTION.
The main Committee report (1984), Appendix “A" on geology, oceanography and
hydrology by Peterson and Maragos, Appendix “B“ on soil and vegetation by
Stone and Robison, Appendix “C" on the shipwrecks by Kubo, and Appendix “"D" on
dosimetry by Kohn and Robison contain considerable information on the history,
geography, physiography, geology, hydrology, oceanography, soils, vegetation,
and dosimetry of Bikini Atoll. Rather than duplicate most of this
information, it is incorporated by reference into this environmental report,
and description of the existing environment at Bikini is limited only to a
brief description of the resources that would be affected by one or more of
the proposed alternatives.
.
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