ee
134...
RADIOLOGICAL CLEANUP OF ENEWETAK ATOLL
With the selection ofthe in situ method, the radiologicalplanningiggy,
shifted from the numberof soil samples per unit area to how manyin Sity
measurements were needed and whatsize thein situ field of view shoulg
be. In developing the OPLAN, the issue was resolved by specific ERDA
decisions. Measurements would be made at a specific height and on a
specific grid spacing. Raw data would be converted to plutonium
concentrations using a consistent set of reasonable assumptions, and the
resulting numbers would be related to the revised soil cleanupcriteria.
(See expanded discussions in later chapters.)
OPLAN development indicated that the cleanup would require More
people, more time, and more moneythan previously estimated.323 While
the CONPLANestimated 600 military personnel, the OPLANcalled for
866. In the CONPLAN, it was estimated that the project would take 28
months from D-Day, while the OPLAN developers estimated 34 months.
Time estimates for camp construction and demobilization in both plans
were furnished by 84th Engineer Battalion personnel; however, Planning
factors had changed considerably since the time the CONPLAN had been
developed; i.e., tents and prefabricated buildings were eliminated in favor
of more permanent facilities. Some of the additional time was required to
construct additional billeting and recreation facilities required to supporta
population of 443 at Lojwa Camp, 122 more than estimated in the
CONPLAN.324 Additional construction time also was required because
the many prefabricated units anticipated in the CONPLAN were not
available. All but a few facilities would have to be constructed using
standard building materials.325.326 Too, some activities which were
previously considered as part of the cleanup were redefined as
demobilization functions.
There was an anticipated 3-month delay in availability of ERDA
radiological support (15 September 1977 rather than 15 June 1977). In order
to accommodatethis delay and the delay in availability of the Lojwa Camp,
the planners rescheduled mobilization and cleanup activities. Northern
islands debris survey and removal were rescheduled to begin prior to,
instead of concurrent with, contaminated soil operations and southern
islands cleanup.327
Three alternatives for determining D-Day were considered:
a. D-Day of 15 June 1977, with mobilization actions as scheduled in the
JCS-approved CONPLAN.
b. D-Day of 15 June 1977, with modifications to the CONPLAN
schedule of mobilization actions to accommodate the delay in ERDA
radiological support and Lojwa Campavailability.
c. Deferral of D-Day to accommodate the delay in ERDAradiological
support and Lojwa Camp availability while maintaining the
CONPLANschedule for mobilization actions.