A considerable amount of heavy equipment (crane, backhoe, dozer, tractor, forklift, cherry picker, portable generators, etc.) were left out in the open in the aftermath of the 1978 evacuation, and are now rusting unsalvageable hulks. The approximately 40 residential structures built on Bikini Island in the early 1970's have not been maintained since the 1978 evacuation and were heavily damaged during subsequent storms. A major investment would be required to restore the dwellings, if restoration is possible. The Lawrence Livermore Laboratory personnel, however, managed to repair some of the equipment several years ago (including the D-6 bulldozer) and it is still in operation. The laboratory also maintains power, water, air conditioned rooms, buildings, trucks, boats, backhoe, laboratory equipment, etc., in support of their ongoing studies. The sheetpile road causeways on the outer islets constructed during the nuclear testing era have failed or have rusted beyond function in most areas including the causeways connecting some of the southern islands (Aerokojlol, Bikdrin). Sandy beaches have piled up against some of the causeways and are, therefore, still functioning to an extent, especially the causeway connecting Aomen and Lomilik Islets. The approximately 4,000-foot long runway on Eneu Island is in suprisingly good condition and is adequately crowned to avoid drainage problems. The paved parking apron adjacent to the west central side of the runway is in excellent condition and free of vegetation. This could serve as an excellent site for a large freshwater catchment system. As noted earlier, most of the roads on both Bikini and Eneu Istands are no longer. maintained and are rapidly being overgrown by indigenous and exotic vegetation. : 4, REVIEW OF SPECIFIC ALTERNATIVES A. MORE DESIRABLE PLANS. The Committee feels that alternatives involving (1) delayed resettlement (spontaneous decay of unstable cesium), (2) chemical treatment of soil with potassium fertilizer, and (3) excavation and disposal of soil are the three major areas worthy of continued examination and analysis. With regard to the first plan, the Bikinians expressed to the Committee by a letter dated 14 August 1984 their lack of support for alternatives that do not allow the early resettlement of Bikini Island. latter two alternatives are described below: The CHEMICAL TREATMENT USING POTASSIUM FERTILIZER This alternative involves the addition of potassium fertilizer to contaminated soils that result in reduced or blocked uptake of unstable cesium by food crops. Existings groundcover would not need to be removed. Preliminary studies indicate that the application of potassium ric fertilizers does somewhat reduce cesium uptake by plants at moderately low soil levels, but more systematic studies are needed prior to a final determination on effectiveness, especially at the higher cesium levels prevailing on Bikini Island. (See Robison and Stone Appendix B.) If feasible, potassium treatment would have the advantage of reducing or eliminating the need for soil excavation and possibly removal of vegetation on the lesser contaminated islands, say those within a factor of 2 or 3 from the liminal rooting zone specific activity. Certainly for Bikini Island it can 0001482 help to the extent of truncating the waiting period, but it would still be inadequate as the sole strategy to allow early consumption of locally grown crops. t-9