In 1968, President Johnson was advised Commission that the main islands of Bikini monitored in the future), and permission Atoll for by the Atomic were safe Energy (but should be resettlement was given. In 1969, therefore, the Department of Defense and the Atomic Energy Commission cleared the 1970-73, planted atoll of brush, debris, and abandoned equipment, and during thousands of coconut trees and some breadfruit and pandanus were on Bikini and Eneu Islands with the help of a number of Bikini people who had begun the resettlement (3). In 1978, however, an examination of the settlers on Bikini by a team burdens from of additional the Brookhaven National radionuclide Laboratory cesium-137 revealed (4). As a Island significant result of body these and findings by the Department of Energy (5), the 139 settlers were evacuated in August 1978, and settlement has not been allowed by the U. S. Since that time. Studies by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory team, especially during the past 6 years, have accumulated extensive information on the radioactivity of Bikini soil, plant products (6) and water (7). validity of these data was that, coming biased. people from a questioned government by the laboratory, Bikini the people on testing may The the basis have been A review in 1982 by independent consultants selected by the Bikini (Epidemiology Resources, Inc.) confirmed the Lawrence Livermore analytical findings (8). The scarcity of land in the Marshall Islands and significance of land ownership make resettlement of Bikini of overriding importance to the Bikini people. on Ejit Marshalls. population Island The is Majuro Committee Atoll, estimates under 30 years of age, perhaps even under 16. S00001I in and that the more rest than and the majority cultural Atoll a matter There approximately 1120 Bikinians, of whom some 500 dwell on Kili 200 the are Island, about elsewhere 75 today percent is well in the of the under 20, The population has been increasing at a rapid rate. 12