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RADIOLOGICAL CLEANUP OF ENEWETAK ATOLL

from the time scheduled in the OPLAN for soil cleanup, COL Trea
estimated that, unless the project were extended beyond its scheduleq .

April 1980 completion date, only 12 months wouldbe available to exciga

and transport soil from the northern islands, leaving another 2-1/2 Months
to complete Runit soil cleanup and | month to finish closing the Concrete
cap. His study predicted that only 60,000 to 67,500 cubic yards of soil could
be moved by boat in that 12 months.
The Director, DNA was determined to complete the project on time
unless it proved manifestly impossible to do so. He believed his two
overriding commitments were: (I) to achieve satisfactory radiological
cleanup results for the dri-Enewetak; and (2) to complete the project on
time and within the funds appropriated from the taxpayers by the
Congress. While thefirst was paramount, VADM Monroe felt the seconq
also was of critical importance, and he still believed both could be
achieved. On-time completion was of great importance because of the
significant drain on the Services’ manpower, funds, equipment, and other
resources. VADM Monroe remained confident that COL Treat’s initiaj
time and quantity factors would improve with experience, and that other
efficiencies could be found.
Boat transportation was the principal constraining resource. There was
enough engineer manpower and equipment to excise and contain the
150,000 to 180,000 cubic yards of soil COL Treat estimated it would take to
reduce all islands, including Runit, to below 40 pCi/g. The elongated
configuration of the Cactus Crater container design would provide
sufficient volume and the MILCON fundsfor crater containment appeared
to be adequate to contain the currently estimated amounts of
contaminatedsoil.
The crux of the boat transportation problem was Enjebi. Field
Commandestimated that 57,900 cubic yards would have to be removed
from Enjebi to bring it below 40 pCi/g. This would use almost all of the
transport capability for a year. Alternatively, in the same year, 63,700
cubic yards of soil could be removed from seven other northern islands
(excluding Enjebi and Runit) to bring all seven to below 40 pCi/g. Runit
could be cleaned in either case since no boat assets were required.
According to COL Treat’s initial rough estimates, two obvious
alternatives were: (1) clean Enjebi to residential levels and clean Runit, or

(2) clean the other seven islands and Runit.’?3 However, two old Runit
issues, which COL Treat had been studying and reviewing with the ERSP

manager, were reopenedin thebriefing. 74.75

The ERSP characterization of Runit, requested in
not, for a number of reasons (previously discussed),
the time of the Il April 1978 meeting with Director,
conference, it was proposed again that, since Runit

October 1977, had
been completed at
DNA. During the
might have to be

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