LOS ALAMOS SCIENTIFIC LABORATORY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO THE RECORD FRCM J. a,He SUBJECT .- LOS ALAMOS. NEW MEXICO pate: 87543 > September 16, 1975 411532 CHRISTMAS ISLAND SURVEY 9-16 AUGUST 1975 J-DOT MS 672 SYMBOL Professor Allyn Seymour, University of Washington; Dr. Mel Merritt, Sandia Laboratories; and I spent the period of 9 to 16 August 1975 on Christmas Island as guests of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Development Authority (GEIDA). The purpose was to make a general survey, including radio- logical, of the island both for the GEIDA and ERDA. The island was used by the UK during 1957 and 1958 for the Grapple series of nuclear tests which included 7 air drops to the southwest of the island and 2 balloon supported events on the south end of the island. During 1962, the US conducted 25 events of which 24 were air drops and the other a Polaris delivered weapon, ali to the west of the isiand as part of Operation Dominic. Subsequent to Dominic the UK maintained a regiment of Royal Engineers to stabilize and improve the testing facilities on the island. This effort was continued through 1964 at which time the facilities were put into the care of Atoll Plantations, Ltd. under a $23,000 (Australian) per year maintenance contract which was continued until 1968. Currently, Christmas Island is administered by the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Government. The islands are scheduled for internal self-government in 1976 and full independence in 1977. For this eventuality, the GEIDA was formed to better prepare the Gilbert and Ellice Islands and as a consequence, Christmas Island. Christmas is potentially a great asset to the Gilbert and Ellice Islanders; their islands are overpopulated, short of food, and their main source of income, quano, is about de- pleted. Christmas offers a large land mass, good climate, excellent fishing, a developed coconut plantation, and much potential for further growth. GEIDA has been actively attempting to develop that potential. Our purpose in visiting the island was to make a radiological survey as part of the ERDA program in surveying past US test sites, e.g. the Eniwetok and Bikini surveys, and to learn the present status of the island which lies near one of the corners of the triangle in which the US would conduct atmospheric nuclear tests in the event of such need. Kingman Reef is the site designated for high-yield tests which currently REPOSITORY DoE cottection BOX No. FOLOEA Hiay *2Q ime, rhs ery DO Viscen . Oy bas 023] Cow acl Cg le