OBJECTIVE OF CLEAN-UP PHASE

The conclusions of the Ad Hoc Committee stated that the islands of
Bikini and Eneu could be used for continuous occupancy and agricultural -

development sufficient to support the returning population.

The clean-up

of these islands called for:

1,

the removal of all test related debris with disposal at
sea of all radioactive debris

2,

stripping of the vegetation to permit planting of coconuts,

pandanus, breadfruit, etc.

This was accomplished by cutting

swaths which were approximately 20 feet wide on 56-foot
centers through the vegetative cover
3,

determining residual external radiation levels at each
step of the clearing and stripping operations, and

4,

obtaining samples of available food items for laboratory
analysis for comparison with previously collected data.

Although permanent occupancy was to be limited to the islands of Bikini
and Eneu, the Ad Hoc Committee further concluded that “radioactive scrap
should be removed from the islands adjacent to former shot sites."

Since

these islands may be used for the collection of birds, turtles, and

their eggs for human consumption, removal of radioactive debris would
make the scrap unavailable for collection by the natives.
The final objectives of the clean-up program, therefore, included the
elimination of all physical hazards and the disposal of all radioactive
scrap from each island of the atoll in addition to the specific measures
cited for Bikini and Eneu.
The Western Environmental Research Laboratory (WERL), which conducts

radiological surveillance operations in the Pacific for the AEC, was
requested to provide Radiological Safety Advisors to the AEC Project
Manager for the clean-up effort.

In addition, a comprehensive sampling

program was to be conducted of all edible varieties of food found to
be growing there.

Analyses of samples were to be performed by WERL

at one or both of its two laboratories, located in Honolulu, Hawaii
and Las Veqas, Nevada.

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