Mobilization
175
Navy task group during the Mobilization Phase arrived on 3 November
1977. The USS JUNEAU and USS ALAMOarrived from Okinawa and
offloaded two LCUs, and three LCM-8s.95 During the Mobilization Phase,
these Navy opportunesealifts delivered over 29,600 measurement tons of
cargo at no cost to the project, a savings in sealift costs of well over
$1,600,000.
The delivery of on-atoll critical building supplies, and the use of H&NPTD journeymen to complete some utility systems and other critical
facilities significantly improved the status of Lojwa Camp construction. By
mid-October, USASCH wasable to report that they were slightly ahead of
the original construction schedule. The camp’s 420,000-gallon steel water
tank was on hand and was being assembled. In the process, Private First
Class Kelvin W. Tea, USA, placed over 15,000 bolts, one of the more
formidable tasks in Lojwa Camp construction. Completion of the fresh
water and salt water distribution systems wasstill being delayed by a
nationwide shortage of pipe. Consequently, food service, shower, latrine,
and sewerfacilities would not be completed by the scheduled 15 November
1977 mobilization completion date. 96
PERMITS: 1975 - 1977
In addition to delays in camp construction, extended delays were
encountered in obtaining three Corps of Engineers’ permits for the
project. There was some doubt that permits were necessary, since the
Environmental Impact Statement documented the concurrence of those
concerned with the cleanup project actions to be covered by the three
proposed permits. Nevertheless, DNA decided to obtain them and, in
October 1975, POD agreed to expedite action to provide permits for: (1)
disposal of noncontaminated debris in the lagoon; (2) clearance (by coral
demolition) of channels into certain islands; and (3) crater containment of
contaminated soil and debris. POD’s costs in providing permits would be
financed from cleanup design funds already allocated.9” It turned out to be
more than a simple papertransaction.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in their action on the permits,
requested that DNA meet several conditions, including revegetation of
Cleared areas; replacement of soil removed in excising plutonium
concentrations on Runit, avoidance of seabird nesting grounds during the
nesting season; periodic radiation sampling in terrestrial and aquatic
resources; and semiannual reports to the Fish and Wildlife Service on
radiation found within fish and wildlife.98 Field Command advised that the
Environmental Impact Statement coveredall of the conditions except the