v | : Plan ning and Programming 81 first problem for DNA was to decide which appropriation should | fu athe cleanup project. Operations at Enewetak Atoll during the various ne d been financed primarily with Research, Development, Test and rests hat (RDT&E) funds: RDT&E funds could be requested for the Evaluation up project, since their purpose was to close out an RDT&E facility ~ clean ince the radiological cleanup certainly would require research and and 0 ment of new technology. However, the use of such funds for deve np might conflict with, and dilute, DNA’s normal RDT&E program nding. For this and other reasons, it was decided to treat the cleanup } project as a site-restoration and site-preparation project; i.e., preparing the ite for DOI’s construction work in the Rehabilitation Program. On this basis the cleanup project was treated as a Military Construction (MILCON) Program.89 Since MILCON channels within DOD and the | Congress are accustomed to traditional construction projects, there were many difficulties in explaining and justifying the more unorthodox Enewetak Cleanup Project request through these channels. i~ DNA’sinitial FY 1975 request wasfor a $35.5 million authorizationfor a | MILCON program for radiological and other cleanupefforts.8! A revised estimate was submitted on 21 November 1973 to include an additional $1.5 million to reimburse AECfor radiological support of cleanup,as agreedat the 7 September 1972 conference. The revised request of $37 million was to be appropriated as follows: $12.5 million in FY 1975, $21.7 million in FY 1976, and $2.8 million in FY 1977.82 . OMB/DOD Program Budget Decision Number166 reduced the FY 1975 request to $4 million and recommended $21.2 million for FY 1976 and $10.3 million for FY 1977. The additional funding to reimburse AEC was not addressed in the decision.83 DNA requested that funding for this support be included, giving new totals of $21.7 million in FY 1976 and $11.3 ~ million FY 1977.84 The President’s Budget for FY 1975 requested aninitial MILCON appropriation of $4 million to provide for initial mobilization and base camp rehabilitation. The authorization request was approved by U the Senate Armed Services Committee; however, the House Committee on Armed Services denied authorization of FY 1975 funds for theinitial ; phase of cleanup on the grounds that ‘‘insufficient planning had been | completed to permit a firm estimate of overall costs.’’85 The Joint Conference Committee upheld the House Committee’s position, thus ending action on the matter in the first session of the 93d Congress.86 Meanwhile, other preparations for the cleanup project were progressing. i v FY 1975 CONCEPT PLANNING: 1974 , 3 . an DNA’s original concept for accomplishing the cleanup wasto contractit out to a private construction company. Defense Agencies such as DNA oe oe