e en vi B. AIR QUALITY. Alternatives involving the removal of soil will require the grubbing, stockpiling, and burning of existing vegetation. In addition, the alternatives of topping and transfer of soil to another isiand could require destruction and burning of vegetation. Collectively actions that remove or relocate soil and destroy vegetation will generate dust and smoke emissions. These emissions may also contain radionuclides. If these emissions constitute a hazard to workers and residents of the affected islands, then emission control measures may be required. C. GEOLOGY AND SOILS. Alternatives involving topping or the removal of soil from Bikini Island, and its disposal on other islands or elsewhere on Bikini Island, will result in the loss of a relatively thick and rich soil layer of value for crop cultivation and vegetation. The loss of Bikini Island's existing soil horizon would seriously impede the future recovery of some vegetation and cultivation of some crops on the land areas denuded of soil unless organic additives, fertilizers or other treatment measures are applied. At best, the crops would require one to 10 years to reach maturity and support the subsistence needs of the returning islanders. The application of untreated dredged lagoon sediments may not accelerate, improve, or stimulate crop development because of high salt and low nutrient concentrations. D. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY. All alternatives involving excavation, topping, transfer of soil to another island or removal of vegetation will result in the destruction of vegetation on the affected islands. The impact of this can be reduced somewhat by flagging important trees or other vegetation for transplantation or protection prior to grubbing and excavation. The natural recovery of vegetation and the establishment of new crops will require one to 10 years. No proposed or existing threatened or endangered species of plants occur or are expected to be affected by a Bikini cleanup project. The nesting activity of seabirds at Bikini Atoll could be affected by alternatives involving removal or relocation of soil and vegetation unless such actions are timed or located to avoid the breeding seasons of the seabirds. No threatened or endangered species of seabirds are thought to nest or reside at Bikini Atoll. Coconut crabs and other edible species of land crabs may occur naturally on the islands of Bikini Atoll. Alternative actions involving disturbance to soil or groundcover, especially in established coconut groves, could reduce the available habitut for these species. Consumption of coconut crabs may also be subject to some dietary restrictions due to bioaccumulation of unstable cesium. E. SEA TURTLES. Cleanup programs and involving disturbance to potential turtle nesting beaches could adversely affect threatened and endangered species of sea turtles through disturbance or destruction of nesting habitat. In addition, J00T&b the returning islanders would be expected to resume subsistence take of sea. turtles as presently authorized in Federal regulations. E-13