. 6 r . . UNITED STATES oe Contin! files @ ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20545 2 oo ERE, ~ Lt. General Carroll H. Dunn, USA Director, Defense Nuclear Agency Washington, D. C. 20305 Dear General Dunn: This is in response to the DNA letter of December 4, 1972, regarding a joint DOD-DOI environmental statement to cover the restoration of Eniwetok Atoll. The AEC has considered the tentative environmental statement outline and the tentative schedule for drafting the environmental statement. We believe it is timely to commence writing an environmental statement. However, we recognize the possibility that results of the radiological and engineering surveys might raise questions as to whether parts of the Atoll can be restored to a status that is acceptable for unconditional occupancy. Further, it may develop that the proposed rehabilitation is of such a nature that an environmental statement will not be required for part or all of that operation. For these reasons, we would propose that the task of compliance with NEPA might more feasibly be broken up into more than one environmental statement. If that were done, the first statement would primarily be aimed at cleanup. It is relevant to this discussion to mention the measures the AEC now has under way toward establishment of cleanup criteria. As the radiological survey and analysis progress, information that is collected is being analyzed by the Data Evaluation Group. This Group will produce a report on the radiological status of the Atoll which will serve as a basis for establishing cleanup criteria and for making judgments regarding rehabilitation. While the survey progresses, the collected information and the evaluations derived will be reviewed at intervals by a team composed of representatives of DOD, DOI, EPA, PHS, and AEC. In this way agency representatives will be kept informed of the status of the survey and evaluation and will be able to contribute through suggestions and other guid- ance. After the report of the Data Evaluation Group has been completed, the AEC will prepare cleanup criteria. These criteria will be developed by the AEC's Division of Operational Safety in consultation with other staff of the AEC and other agencies. The timing for availability of radiological survey results and radiological assessments and for the completion of the dose assessments 00534 Lyre. 7a} fi GbteraIe-Inetecal |