98 eReR aR ,1 AEC proof and development requests. i . On the 19th of September Seaborg transmitted to the President a paper prepared by DMA, I believe the Test Branch, entitled "Nuclear Test Program", which is in response to an NSC action memo No. 87 which requests a comparison of the effectiveness cf testing nuclear explosives in various media. The £- Em teeo study addresses the rationale behind the various types of tests of nuclear weapons that are felt to be necessary for tactical weapons, smaller weights in missile warheads, lower fission yields for cleaner warheads, and developments in the ABM effects area. The need for weapons system tests and weapons effects measurements are stressed as well as the continuing need for a Vela program to improve our methods of monitoring a test ban treaty as well as improving our intelligence capabilities. In the environmental impact of the various types of tests be they weapons development or weapons effects are detailed here. The type of testing versus the media in which it can be performed is addressed throughout this study and there are a number of recommendations at the conclusion. First of all that the planned test program proceed for the next year under the assumption that it will be conducted underground and that steps be taken to provide for an underground testing capability for the indefinite future and further that preparations be taken for possible atmospheric tests at the NTS up to a few tens of kilotons. Further that plans be made and activites be pursued by both the AEC and the DoD to bring the Eniwetok area to a 3-month readiness posture and that a completely seaborne operation not be ignored. Further that the Vela and Plowshare tests be planned to proceed underground. There are a number of pieces of correspondence in here that I've seen in other files that address the activities and thoughts about planning or being ready to plan for atmospheric testing at the NTS and at Eniwetok should such authorization ever come. A TWX on 25 September from Betts to Hertford of ALO addresses certain actions that may be taken and others which may not be taken in relation to preparation for atmospheric testing. Among those which may be taken are selection of suitable balloon sites at the EPG, discussion with the military of various boosters and RV's that might be used for testing, detailed planning for fuzing and firing systems in conjunction with selected RV's, plans for diagnostic instrumentation and sampling systems, etc. The activities which are prohibited deal with procurement of additional balloons and flying of the balloons at this time. Further Betts requests a detailed proposal including a schedule and cost estimate for testing with the balloons at the NTS and EPG and for exoatmospheric testing. Also beginning ‘about this time September 25th is discussion of the very short response atmospheric testing program which goes on for some time as documented in other files. A lz An NTS Planning Board meeting was held on 27 September and the preliminary report of this meeting on the same date went to General Betts to address various questions that he had asked the laboratories and the operations offices. Among other things the group addressed whether acceleration of the present short term program was possible and determined that not only is acceleration not possible but that the present schedule is optimistic. Furthermore, acceleration which might come to pass by resumption of atmospheric testing at the NTS was studied and it was felt that about 5 LASL events could