1 RG _____SOMMISSION__— -— | collessia" A -(3. | eox77Gb. 3 $ 3 ? 7an S T O T ERGY EN RIG e 326 us At "4" “DOE ARCHIVE: A0 - oo 5 a , — CItn,¥ SMITIISON LAN UN SVETUTION Weshenylon, LAA LOTOO CDSE1. Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg Chairman Atomic Energy Commission Washington, D. Cc. 20545 BEST COPY AVAILABLE Dear Glenn: Recently it was broughc to my atrention that consideration is being given to the establishment of human populations on Bikini, Marshall Islands. I was pleased to learn that past radioactivity concerns are nearly alleviated and that the Island may be near recovery from the severe strains of nuclear testing. i was reminded that during the perzed 1959-1962 the Smithsonian institution was given funds by the Atomic Energy Comuission and the Office of Naval Research to identify, preserve, and store the récoverable portion of an excellent buc scattered collection of marine orgeaisms made in 1946, prior to the Nuclear Test Program. We were aple to achieve a substantial portion of this objective and our coilections now are richer with comparative material. May I sussest that consideration be given to the mounting of an expedition to 5ikini to re-collect che marine fauna and flora cud tnac the Smichsonian Institution be again supported to develop a naiicaal etudy resource of pre- and post-nucicar test material? If this secms reasonable, I would sugges” that contact from your staff could 3e méue with Dr. L. E. Wallen, Head, Smithsonian Office of Oceanography and wimnoiogy. With highest regards, Cordially yours S. Dillon Ripley Secretary S } ~~