APPENDIX "tc"
DRAFT LUTTER TO TH" DEPARTMENT OF TH INTERIOR
AND THE DePARTMENT OF STAT?
1. The Atomic Mmergy Commission has considered the problem
of returning the Rongelap people to their home atoll in the
Trust Territory, and has carefully weighed the data from
radiological surveys made during the past two and one-half
years,
including that of the latest survey made in July 1956,
2. These data indicate a presence of a residual contami-
nation on the Island of Rongelap, but at a level that is
acceptable from a health point of view, both for the potential
external gamma radiation exposure and the strontium-90 content
in the food supply, with the possible exception of land crabs.
3. The Commission's position ts that the Rongelapese could
be returned to their home island as soon as rehabilitation
procedures on the Island of Kongelap are completed, with the
advice that land crabs not be eaten at this time.
4. In accordance with previous views of the Department
of the Interior (Department of State) the Atomic Energy Commission is proceeding with implementation of the program for the
reconstruction and rehabilitation of the homes and facilities on
Rongelap.
It is expected that these preparations will require
approximately five months.
Since the AEC has made a determination
that it will be safe from a health standpoint to return the
Rongelapse to their home island upon completion of these prepa-
rations, your concurrence in this plan to return these people
to their home island is requested.
Degartment of Eneray
Historian’s
Office
ARCHIVES
-19 -
Appendix "c"