~4-
On September 26, 1976, Enewetak Atoll
returned to Bikini Island.
was released and officially returned to the people.
Most Enewe-
tokese are scheduled to return some time during late 1980 or early
1981, but only after radioactive soil and debris have been removed
and islands are certified as "safe" for habitation.
Resettlement and rehabitation issues and concerns are
the ultimate responsibility of the Department of the Interior
(DOI)
through the Office of Territorial Affairs.
However,
decisions concerning the relative environmental safety of Marshall
Island atolls rest with DOE.
Health and safety decisions will be
based on the results of careful monitoring and sampling of soil,
marine and aquatic life, and terrestrial flora and fauna.
DOE
has compiled a great deal of information on the level of radiological contamination of Enewetak Atoll,
to cleaning up the Atoll.
a necessary prerequisite
A less extensive assessment of Bikini
Atoll was conducted before the small group was permitted to
resettle Bikini Island.
Late in 1978 an extensive survey of the following 12 atolls
and one island in the Marshall Islands will be initiated by DOE:
Rongerik,
Bikini,
Ujelang, Wotto,
Ailinginai, Rongelap, Ailuk,
Likiep, Taka, Utirik, Bikar, Mejit and Jemo Island...
These atolls
and island lie in the northern section of the Marshalls and are
considered as the range of the area in the South Pacific where
radiation fallout most likely occurred during the nuclear tests.
Tests will be conducted to bring the radiological information up
to what is currently known about Enewetak Atoll.
The need for an extensive survey of the above atolls was
prompted by a series of radiological-related problems encountered