202 RADIOLOGICAL CLEANUP OF ENEWETAK ATOLL would be conducted during the mobilization phase so that the techniques would be perfected by the time the cleanup phase began on 15 November 1977. The planners believed, in a practical sense, that the tests would constitute the beginning of radiological cleanup on the island where they were conducted and, considering the input of cleanup resources, that the island selected would receive priority for radiological cleanup once the cleanup phase began. Development of priorities and schedules for island-by-island cleanup began after the first OPLAN conference in February 1977.45 The planners considered such factors as channel access, terrain, extent of work required, and planned island use by the dri-Enewetak. After several months of deliberation, it was decided that pilot tests of the cleanup techniques would be conducted on Enjebi.46.47 It afforded sufficient variety and quantity of work to develop and test thoroughly the basic techniques for radiological surveys and cleanup. Channel access conditions were well known from recent operations there, andlittle additional work would be required for additional clearance. Beachtrafficability was good, and the terrain was suitable for the various tests. In addition, Enjebi was considered to be oneof the safer northern islands for the development of techniquesand initial training of raw personnel. Following procedures outlined in OPLAN 600-77, DOE-ERSP used measurements from the 1973 Radiological Survey and the recent gross aerial survey to identify plutonium concentrations on Enjebi which were likely to require soil cleanup.48 The exact boundaries and extent of the concentrations were to be identified by fine surveys conducted in conjunction with iterative removal of contaminated soil from the areas.49 On 15 July, the newly arrived in situ van (IMP) was deployed to Enjebi for development andtesting of the fine survey techniques. ERDA’s research supportvessel, the Liktanur I, was anchored just off the island to provide preliminary logistical support.59 FRST and Army engineer elements deployed the following week to participate in the Enjebi survey. IN SITU SOIL SURVEY PROCEDURES The IMP was a mobile soil assay system mountedin a tracked vehicle (Figure 4-10). The system was self-contained to the extent that all radiological data could be acquired and most of the data processed in the van. Final data processing and map overlays ‘were doneat the base camp laboratories. EG&G Corporation, under contract to ERDA, provided both the equipmentandthe technicians. The IMP drivers were military enlisted personnel.