280 RADIOLOGICAL CLEANUP OF ENEWETAK ATOLL the Service Element Commanders—there was impatience to begin Soil operations. Understandably, these individuals were concerned because the soil removal equipment, operators, and other resources, which they had worked so hard to have in place for the start of Cleanup Phase on 15 November 1977, had not yet begun soil cleanup—and it was mid-January 1978. They wanted to begin soil cleanup at once. After many hours of discussions, VADM Monroe directed the following actions: a. Begin a pilot soil removal project to ascertain the effectivenessof the planned soil excision technique in reducing transuranic concentrations and to consolidate the planning factors of time, men, trucks, boats, quantities, etc., on which firm planning would late; depend. The choice of island for the pilot soil removal project was to be agreed between the ERSP and Field Command and recommended to the Director, DNA for decision. b. Expedite compilation ofall island soil characterization data by DOE and finalize soil cleanup criteria including consideration of the new EPA guidelines. c. Expedite review by Field Command, DOE-NV, and TTPI of island use plans and island cleanup priorities. d. Intensify characterization efforts at the Aomon crypt, including interviews with any people still available who were involved in its construction, and solicit ideas from all concerned on how to survey and excise the crypt. e. Concentrate Army and Navy Element efforts on northern island debris cleanup, both contaminated and uncontaminated, until soil cleanup decisions could be made.>7-58 Thus, VWADM Monroe's plan was to compensate for the late startin soil cleanup by getting ahead of schedule in the cleanup of debris. As will be shown later, the characterization and reviews continued well into the spring of 1978. Meanwhile, a small, but important, soil cleanup operation was conducted shortly after the Director's visit. MEDREN (ELMER) ISLAND SOIL CLEANUP The 1973 Enewetak Radiological Survey indicated two areas on Medren with elevated gamma levels. One area was found to contain a cobalt (Co60) source in a dosimeter calibration shed. This source was removed and gamma levels returned to normal background. The other area was not identified at that time. It was essential that the JTG locate and removethe contamination before the Defense Property Disposal Service contractor began scrap removal operations on Medren.