TONABENRAL,
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June 19, 1972
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Ng ince the President approved Eniwetok Atoll as a central Pacific test site
‘sf n 1947, there were a total of 43 nuclear test shots; 35 of which were
“| “announced, The first tests were in April '48, followed by tests in 1951,
Sai 1952, 1954, 1956 and 1958. From 1958 to 1969 the Eniwetok Atoll was used
eve {as an impact and scoring area for ICBM's launched from Vandenberg AFB. In
“222/01966 and 1969 two beryllium fuel rocket engine tests were conducted. Current2i|Sly the Defense Nuclear Agency is preparing a series of high explosive cratering
:
‘experiments . This program, known as PACE, is part of a series of experiments
designed to provide blast and shock environmental data, for assessing and
upgrading the hardness of strategic systems.
AND REVIEW PATES
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RELEASE
DEPARTMENT OFENERGY DECLASSIFICATION REVIEW
DETERMINATION {CRCLE NUMBER(S]
DISCUSSION OF REHABILITATION ON ENIWETOK ATOLL
Diplomatic and administrative actions by the Department of Interior and Trust
Territory have resulted in a joint announcement - April 18, 1972, that Eniwetok
Atoll will be returned to the administrative control of the Trust Territory
at the end of 1973, to commence rehabilitation. Also, there has been correspondence between the Department of Interior and Department of Defense on return of the atoll to the Trust Territory. Ultimately it appears that the atoll
is to be returned to its native inhabitants. These diplomatic and administrative actions appear to be predicated on the assumption that like Bikini Atoll,
cleanup of Eniwetok could be accomplished.
The action raises significant poli-
cy and practical administrative and budgetary questions which will undoubtedly
impact on the AEC.
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Recent radiological surveys, and studies of the records of test operations
have shown that the radiological situation at Eniwetok is much more complex
than existed at Bikini. There were more tests conducted at Eniwetok than
Bikini (43 compared to 23) resulting in more contaminated debris, there are
contaminated waste burial sites at Eniwetok, and there were safety tests at
Eniwetok producing areas of high plutonium contamination. Particularly for
these last two conditions, there were no parallel problems at Bikini. The
only problem unique to Bikini, and this is yet to be treated, is the presence
of eleven ships sitting on the lagoon bottom some of which may show measurable levels of fission product and induced activity and for which there is interest
in salvage.
There is a policy question whether the Bikini cleanup pattern should or could
be followed. There will be questions concerning whether it will be accept-
able in light of the public attitude toward environmental matters today to
allow a rehabilitation of the island if restriction on movement and items of
food are required.
a
Classified by:
Dr. Martin B. Biles
Director, DOS
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6/20/72
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