109 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