JUK 1

1972

Chairman Schlesinger

Comnissioner Ramey
Comuissioner Johnson
Comaissioner Lereon
Comitesioner Doub

THRU:

General Manager

lef 9.0.

Ok

ENIWETOE.

An ARC survey teem visited Fniwetok Atoll during May 11-17, 1977,

to conduct « prelirinary radiological survey toward developing a
more detailed eurvey program to be conducted this fail in anticipation
of decontamineting and rehabilitating the Atoll prior to return to its
original owners. Simultaneous with the AFC survey team visit, the
Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) was making preparations for a serics of
high explogive cratering experiments.

Complex radiological conditions exist on Runit Island (Yvonne), Fnivetok

Atoll, due to several nuclear devices exploded on Funit from 1951
throush 1958 and subsequent earth and debris moving activities. The
historical records of operationge on Kunit contain some contradictions
with respect to radioactive waste disposal, although several alpha waste

burfal grounds are known to exist in the Atoll.

The AEC's prelininary radiological survey has located ea plutonium bearing eand leyer outcropping on the ocean side of the Runit mid-island
area end, sinilarly, the apparent existence of plutonium fragmente and

graine on the Islend eurface. The areas containing these surface plutonium contaninetions are not yet clearly delineated but appear to be
extensive.

Further, contaminated scrap metal debris fs located through-

out the Island.
On Mzy 17, Mr. Roger Ray, Assistant Manager for Cperstione, NV, arrived .
at Enivetok vith a group of FEniwetokese council members and their
:
lawyer, being escorted by Trust Territory officiale. Tho ATC curvey
|
team briefed Mr. Ray on their findings and their concern about the

i

possibility of high alpha contamination on Runit Island. Mr. Ray then |
briefed a teem of arriving workers from Scripps Institute and WA's

*
RG

US DOE ARCHIVES
326 U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY
COMMISSION

Collection

.

Craw (ollecha,

Box

S

Folder Badiokvotent

Sugvey
f

Select target paragraph3