RADIOLOGICAL CLEANUP OF ENEWETAK ATOLL
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Planning and Programming
checks be made of the people and environment to assure that exposure
criteria were not being approached or exceeded.
Master Plan had been based on the dri-Enjebi returning to their homeisland. Further details of the ftnal Master Plan are contained in Chapter10.
Information obtained from the meetings with the dri-Enewetak, plus
data from the Engineering Study and from preliminary results of the
Radiological Survey, was enoughto begin preparing a DEIS for the project
and to develop initial funding estimates. H&N was engaged by DNA to
compile the DEIS, and they started work on 19 June 1973. On 21 June 1973
LTG Dunn testified before the House Subcommittee on Appropriations,
seeking Fiscal Year (FY) 1974 funds to complete the planning studies and
ENEWETAK ATOLL MASTER PLAN: MAY-NOVEMBER 1973
The Government agencies realized the importance of having the driEnewetak involved in every step of cleanup and rehabilitation of their
homeland. On 20-23 February 1973 (the week after field work on the
NVO-140 was completed), representatives from DNA, DOI, and AEC met
surveys./9 A total of $270,000 was provided in FY 1974 for the EIS and
results of the recent surveys and to discuss their desires. The parties met
THE EXPLORATORY PROGRAM ON ENIWETOK: JUNE 1973
information for the DEIS and for funding estimates. The Master Plan was
In June 1973, DNA decided to abandon the PACE II high explosive
cratering program at Enewetak and sostipulated in the U.S. District Court
other planning studies.
in Honolulu with dri-Enewetak community council members, their
attorney, and the Marshall Islands District Administrator to brief them on
.
;
fo
to be developed by the TTPI, based on the expected results of the cleanup
project and the desires of the dri-Enewetak. Conferees proposed that the
people elect a Planning Council to work with TTPI in developing the
i
The TTPI contracted with H&N to develop the Enewetak Master Plan.
Master Plan and with DNAin planning the cleanup project.§?
A survey team consisting of Mr. Carleton Hawpe, TTPI architectural
consultant under contract to H&N, Mr. John Stewart, of AEC, and Mr.
Ken Marsh, of LLL, visited Ujelang Atoll in July 1973 to coordinate with
the Enewetak Planning Council. Mr. Hawpe was engaged by H&N at the
request of the dri-Enewetak. He was a Peace Corps voluntcer in the
Marshall Islands, who had made his home in Majuro, and was well liked
and fluent in Marshallese. Together, they covered all aspects of
rehabilitation, resettlement, and development ofthe atoll. This survey,
together with results of the Enewetak Engineering Survey, provided a
r
basis for the first draft of the Master Plan, which wasissued in Novembe
1973.68
Since the AEC’s Radiological Survey Report had not yet been
completed, the draft Master Plan was based on certain assumptions
final
derived from preliminary results of that survey. Upon issuance ofthe
proved
ons
assumpti
the
of
Enewetak Radiological Survey Report, some
:
acter Plon’s accu motion
that Enewetak Atoll could be sufficiently cleanedof all radiological hazards
so that Enjebi would be safe for habitation.£? These changes in the
radiological dose estimates and predictions required that the Master Plan
be revised and republished in January 1975. Thus, the final Master Plan
draft
called for all residence to be on the southern islands, whereas the
_—-_—~ ---:
again at Majuro, the Marshall Islands District Center, on 2-4 May 1973,
a
this time with representatives of the TTPI. At this meeting, the idea of
provide
to
proposed
was
ent
resettlem
and
tion
rehabilita
Master Plan for
;_
79
in Hawati. The court order preventing PACE II authorized the
continuation of the PACE I geological studies, which were renamed the
Exploratory Program on Eniwetok (EXPOE).?!
Field studies for EXPOE began in October 1973 and included the core
drilling of 46 bore holes (50-100m depth) on ten islands. The purpose was
to define the near-subsurface geology of the atoll in order that preevent
geologic models could be madeat each of the six nuclear crater sites. In
addition, seismic refraction profiles were conducted on the same islandsto
define seismic velocities. Also in the program approved by the District
Court was a 40-foot, cylindrical, high explosive, in situ test, which was
conducted at the PACE test bed on Aomon to provide dynamic material
properties of the PACE media. Several miles of over-water seismic
reflection profiles also were conducted during EXPOE. These over-water
seismic studies centered on the three high-yield nuclear craters (Oak. 9
megatons; Mike, 10.4 megatons; and Koa, 1.37 megatons) and provided
significant information concerning the subsurface morphology of the
craters. In addition to the EXPOEfield studies, a comprehensive search
was conducted of old photos, films, drawings, etc., to define the exact
crater dimensions, device emplacement details, device yield and
performance details, and ejecta and debris distribution for the cratering
events 72
Several significant studics were conducted in support of the PACE and
EXPOE programs. These additional studies included: soil and water
surveys in the northern part of the atoll for radioactive debris location and
characterization; analysis of previous studies on cratering and testing in
general; flora and fauna ecological studies; and identification of water-well