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Planning and Programming
united States in the way of nuclear weapons and security for all
americans, not what restoration would cost per individual resettled.2!3
The two [roijs, Johannes Peter and Binton Abraham, confirmed the
through their
statement’s accuracy and responded to committee questions
.
interpreter, Donald Capelle.
The committee discussed at length both the written agreements which
committed the United States to return the atoll and the authority of the
signatories to make such commitments. It was decided that Congress had
provided that authority in Title 48, USC, Section 1681.2!4
The committee questioned the amount of payments which hadalready
been made to the dri-Enewetak for use of the atoll, especially the
$1,020,000 ex gratia payment madein trust in 1976. Mr. Mitchell explained
that this was not a paymentfor use of the atoll, but an outright gift in
- recognition of the hardships the people had suffered at Ujelang. It was not
a lease payment or a payment of damages, but a gift, intended to
supplement their subsistence. Since it was a trust fund, they received only
the interest, about $150 per person per year, or 43¢ per person perday, an
extremely small amount, even for the Marshall Islands.2!5
|
The problem of subsistence was discussed further, especially the
possibility of radioactivity in the food. ERDArepresentatives presented a
report on the experimental farm on Enjebi which was producingfruit (but
x.
poe
from which no data on uptakeofradioactivity was yet available). Also, an
ERDA report on radiological conditions at the atoll and protection of
future residents was presented.216 The committee was advised that the
current plan did not envision soil removal from Enjebi,2!7 and the island
was not plannedto be used for residence. 218
The cleanup of Runit also received special attention. LTG Johnson
indicated that 3 or 4 feet of soil might have to be removed from the Fig/
Quince area on Runit.2!9 All plutonium contamination on Runit above a
specified level would be removed and encapsulated. The island would be
made safe to work on and tovisit.229 In the event funding limits prevented
complete cleanup of Runit, the project would have to be cancelled or the
U.S. would have to retain indefinite control over the atoll; i.e., continue
the quarantine of Runit. In response to a Congressional inquiry on the
impact of a fund limitation, LTG Johnsonstated that it was his view that,
once the major effort and expense of mobilizing andinitiating the cleanup
had been incurred, it would be ineffective and uneconomical to quit work
before the most significant radiological hazard on the atoll had been
removed.221
Means of reducing total costs were discussed in detail, including:
alternatives for disposal of contaminated material; the option to leave
certain buildings standing; the use of Operations and Maintenance
appropriations to finance the base camps; the use of excess equipment;
Teese