Honorable James A. Joseph -2- criteria were recommended because of uncertainties in estimating future doses to the peaple at Enewetak Atoll. However, following the return of people to the Islands, direct radiation exposure measurements would be available and compared with the full FRC guidance of 500 mrem/yr to individuals and 5000 mrem/30 yrs to the population. These criteria for Enewetak were agreed to by _all parties to the Statement, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who considered the Enewetak criteria to be "... upper limits ..." and that "... any proposed guideline Or numerical values for the dose limits are only preliminary guidance and that a cost-benefit analysis must be undertaken to determine whether the projected doses are really as low as readily achieyable-and practical before proceeding with the relocation project. On the basis of such analysis it may be prudent to lower dose guidelines for this operation." We interpret EPA's comments as essentially endorsing the Enewetak criteria, with the admonition that exposures be reduced even further if possible. We expect that the EPA will proyide any needed clarification on this matter to the Department of Interior: The degree of uncertainty in estimating doses on Eneu Island is Similar to that for Enewetak Atoll], Assuming, therefore, that Enewetak criteria are applicable to other situations in the northern Marshall Islands, the dose estimates for return of the Bikini people to Eneu Istand would be compared to the Enewetak criteria as described above rather than to the FRC guidance. When this is done, it is found that even with imported food the radiation doses to the people on Eneu would not be expected to be in compliance with the Enewetak criteria for about 20 years. Several combinations of residence and food constraints are discussed in the enclosed, and are illustrated and summarized in the attachments to the enclosed. Other considerations also are addressed. If any further refinement of the data changes these estimates in a significant way, we will immediately inform you. We trust that this is helpful to you im resolving the issue of the acceptability of Eneu Island as a residence island. Sincerely, Ruth C. Clusen Assistant Secretary for Environment Enclosure cc: Dr. William Mills, EPA au 96092549