ue
LF
radsafe and health support, and reconstruction assistance.
However,
it was originally thought that the construction effort
involved would be minor, and JTF SEVEN included $24,400 for
this purpose in their FY 1955 and FY 1956 budgets.
Because of
this budgeting by JTF SEVEN, ATC hes never included funds for
this work in its budget.
However, with the passase of time the
builidinss on Rongelap have deteriorated to the point where they
can no longer be repaired and the entire village must be
reconstructed.
The cost of this reconstruction and other
rehabilitation measures is $230,000.
In an effort to resolve
this problem and in consonance with CINCPAC's statement, we
requested CNO (the Executive Agent of the Joint Chiefs of Staff)
to provide funds for the construction on Rongelap.
The CNO
reply (copy of which is attached) states that at no time has
the cost of repatriation of the Rongelapese been considered a
Navy responsibility.
In view of this situation AFC will accept
the resvonsibility for funding for the reconstruction and other
rehabilitation measures on Rongelap and DMA will make the
$280,000 available out of funds presently available or budgeted
for the Weapons Program.
Departmént of Energy
Historian’s Office
ARCHIVES
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Appendix "B"