134
RADIOLOGICAL CLEANUP OF ENEWETAK ATOLL
With the selectionof the in situ method, the radiological planning issue
shifted from the numberof soil samples per unit area to how manyin situ
measurements were needed and whatsize the in situ field of view should
be. In developing the OPLAN, the issue was resolved by specific ERDA
decisions. Measurements would be made at a specific height and on a
specific grid spacing. Raw data would be converted to plutonium
concentrations using a consistent set of reasonable assumptions, and the
resulting numbers would be related to the revised soil cleanup criteria.
(See expanded discussions in later chapters.)
OPLAN development indicated that the cleanup would require more
people, more time, and more money than previously estimated.323 While
the CONPLAN estimated 600 military personnel, the OPLAN called for
866. In the CONPLAN, it was estimated that the project would take 28
months from D-Day, while the OPLAN developers estimated 34 months. |
Time estimates for camp construction and demobilization in both plans
were furnished by 84th Engineer Battalion personnel, however, planning
factors had changed considerably since the time the CONPLAN had been
developed; i.e., tents and prefabricated buildings were eliminated in favor
of more permanent facilities. Some of the additional time was required to
construct additional billeting and recreation facilities required to support a
population of 443 at Lojwa Camp, 122 more than estimated in the
CONPLAN.324 Additional construction time also was required because
the many prefabricated units anticipated in the CONPLAN were not
available. All but a few facilities would have to be constructed using
standard building materials.325.326 Too, some activities which were
previously considered as part of the cleanup were redefined as
demobilization functions.
There was an anticipated 3-month delay in availability of ERDA
radiological support (15 September [977 rather than IS June 1977). In order
to accommodate this delay and the delay in availability of the Lojwa Camp,
the planners rescheduled mobilization and cleanup activities. Northern
islands debris survey and removal were rescheduled to begin prior to,
instead of concurrent with, contaminated soi! operations and southern
islands cleanup. 327
Three alternatives for determining D-Day were considered:
a. D-Day of [5 June 1977, with mobilization actions as scheduled in the
JCS-approved CONPLAN.
7
b. D-Day of 15 June 1977, with modifications to the ONPLAN
schedule of mobilization actions to accommodate the delay in ERDA
radiological support and Lojwa Camp availability.
c. Deferral of D-Day to accommodate the delay in ERDA radiological
support and Lojwa Camp availability while maintaining the
CONPLAN schedule for mobilization actions.
Planning and Programming
135
The critical factor in the selection of D-Day was the time required for
mobilization of manpower and material. For a major project, a minimum
of 180 days normally is required from the time personnel and supplies are
requisitioned until they arrive at the work site. The Logistics and
Manpower Working Groups insisted that even with Force Activity
Designator (FAD) Il, a relatively high military priority, and expedited
action at all levels, an absolute minimum of 90 days was required. Even so,
to meet a IS June 1977 D-Day, the absolute latest date the mobilization
effort could begin was 15 March 1977.
The first alternative, which required that base Camps using tents be
erected in 60 days, was clearly impractical for the more permanent type
camp being proposed for Lojwa. The third alternative was strongly favored
by ERDA and Army planners. Navy and Air Force planners were prepared
to support either the second or third alternative although they, too,
preferred the latter. The Manpower and Logistics Working Groups also
preferred the third alternative, but believed that they could.support
the
second if certain conditions were met: (I) the project must be designated as
FAD II, and (2) mobilization must begin by 1S March 1977. Manpower and
material for base camp construction must be requisitioned a minimum of
90 days before construction forces were due to arrive on D-Day. Since
actual cleanup operations would not begin until after the mobilization
phase was completed at D+5 months, manpower and equipment for
cleanup could be ordered later; however, the manpower and material
required for camp construction would have to be identified and
requisitioned as soon as possible. This meant that mobilization could not
be delayed until the OPLAN had been finalized and approved, but must
begin immediately (March) if D-Day were to be 15 June 1977.
Based upon these considerations, BG Lacy selected the second
alternative and approved starting mobilization on 15 March 1977. The
deciding factor in’ establishing IS June 1977 as D-Day was general
agreement that the momentum established at the conference should be
maintained. Other factors were avoidanceof cost escalations and the need
to demonstrate to the dri-Enewetak, and to the world, that the United
States was about to fulfill its promises.328,329
To accommodate both the lengthened schedules and the [5 June 1977 DDay, the operations schedule of the CONPLAN (Figure 2-7) had to be
revised in the OPLAN. The determining factor in the CONPLAN schedule
Was COM aaa nhtilse mlirmena rere mey
require approximately 2 years. Since the actual extent of soil
contamination, especially subsurface contamination, was unknown, the
planners could only make a rough estimateofits magnitude. The OPLAN
acknowledged this in several places: