1181 ere he says—the article is titled. “TS. E Return to Bikini Island.” sofety of Nine years ago the U.S. Government told the Bikini Islanders it war mafe to return to their atoll, once the site of nuclear weapons tests in the Pacific Some of the islanders went bome. But now the government bas found thal ii wa. wrone According to tests last year the groundwater in Bikini is still too radioactive for bumar consumption 80 are the cocoputs and fruits and vegetables grown in the still contaminated soil. Bo the Interior Department bac very quietir asked Congress for $15 million to move the islanders to another location. Why are you asking for more moneyif it is safe! Is it safe? Safe is a relative term, isn’ it! DesiYes it is. If it was practicable for the people to onlyeat outside and mavbe have to drink outside water. then we think thal goes within the Federal standards, and that is the only guideline we have to go with. Since that is not a practical solution and we do see a rise in the cesium in the whole body counting. we believe thet they should not be allowed to eat the food on the island. and it is probably not a prac- tical situation. Any additional resettlement should be on Encu Island where they can have their schools and other facilities. That is the direction they should move and not try to do that on Bikini Island. Mr. Yares. Should theystay there is the question. Whois exercising the judgment on whether they should stay there! Haven't the levels been increasing! Our friend has said they are almost up to the top of the Federal standards. If they stay there, won't they go over the top! Mer. Dear. The whole question is, if they were to not eat the locally s on Bikini Island. would the radiation dose from cesium go downt Mr. Yares. What will you do, bring in box lunches? Mr. Dear. That is the impractical part of the solution. CURRENT FEEDING PROGRAM OX BIKINI _ Mr. Wixxex. If I might speak to thispart of the discussion, becau~ce it brings in the present time period What is being discussed illu-trates, as you have pointed out, one of the difficulties of administration. Decisions must be d on available information. Our decisions have to be based on the information which you havebeen given, which I also have been given, by representatives of the Department of Energy that local conditions would be safe if ample outside food supplies were provided for the le on the island. In addition, we provided equip- ment for fishing in lagoon. The outside food is sent in on a reguiar basis. These food supplies, while not attractive in all respects from the point of view of the normal diet, because some USDA preserved food are included, provide a food standard which is in terms of nutrition far above the average as far as diet in the Trust Territory is concerned. Mr. Yarzs. What does that mean! You deliver K rations to them! What kind of food are you ing aboutf Mr.Wivuns Dried foods, fresh fruits and vegetables from Ponape, as varied a diet as far as protein, Karch, carbohydrates is concerned It is prepared by nutritionists. DOE ARCHIVES IO04Ib