o The contaminated soil would be mixed with cement and formed into a concrete matrix, which would fill the crater on the north end of Runit formed by the "Cactus" nuclear detonation. matrix. o The contaminated debris would be encapsulated in this concrete . o The dome-like mound formed over Cactus crater would be covered with a concrete cap to remove any resuspension and inhalation threat. o Since the entire island of Runit would remain quarantined indefinite~ ly because of residual sub-surface contamination in its soil, presence of the capped, encapsulated contamination at the north end of the island should pose no future problems for the People of Enewetak. In 1975 the Congress authorized the Enewetak Radiological Cleanup and Rehabilitation Project, and funds were appropriated in 1976. guidance wasas follows: Services. Congressional o The radiological cleanup was to be accomplished by the Military o A total of $20 million was appropriated in FY 1977 Military Construction (MilCon)funds. o DoD was directed to draw other needed resources, without reimbursement, from the Military Services' construction and support forces, their subsistence, equipment, material, supplies, and transportation. . o DoD was further directed to employ all feasible economies in the. project, consistent with meeting radiation standards established by AEC (DoE). o The People of Enewetak were required to agree that appropriation of the $20 million MilCon funds would constitute the total commitment of the U.S. Government for the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll. During development of the Master Plan with the People of Enewetak, probably the most important decision involved choice of residence islands. Since residence islands would be the site of most subsistence agriculture, as well as living and sleeping quarters and community centers, great care had to be taken to ensure that the living patterns and locations selected would not permit the people to accumulate lifetime body burdens of radioactivity at levels thought by medical science to cause any significant increase in the risk of adverse health effects. From the start it was clear that the dri-Enewetak could return safely to their home island of Enewetak in the south. The three large southern islands of Enewetak, Medren, and Japtan, which had been the base camp for the 4,000-man scientific task force during the test period, had remained essentially uncontaminated by the testing and had served as headquarters for the caretaker force subsequently. The