UNITED STATES ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20545 ” James L. 410774 ee APR 21 1977 Liverman Assistant Administrator for Environment and Safety SSC NONCURRENCE WITH "REQUEST FOR FIELD COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT POSITION OF AES ACTIVITIES IN THE PACIFIC AREA" SSC nonconcurs in the proposal for establishing in the Pacific a scientific manager for all AES Pacific activities for the following reasons; l. The recent criticism of ERDA medical and research programs in the Pacific have hampered the establishment of good rapport with the Marshallese which is necessary to the conduct of the needed followup survey and radiological safety program. A closer association of the radiological monitoring program with research activities by the establishment of a single scientific manager may well increase suspicions that the purpose of the ERDA Pacific programs is primarily for research. Unlike research, where a project may represent the scientific interests of a single or a few investigators, radiological safety, environmental and personnel monitoring and dose assessment activities in the Pacific, must consider radiological conditions in the total environment from a long-range viewpoint. This work is made to be relevant to resettlement problems by directing the efforts of scientists from several laboratories in the U.S. Coordination of research that is primarily motivated by the individual investigator's interests@g with SSC radiological survey and assessment efforts is a minor problem, if a problem at all, and best accomplished by staff of Headquarters Divisions working together. Marshallese confidence in ERDA in radiological matters has declined because delayed effects such as growth retardation in some children and a high percentage of thyroid abnormalities associated with BRAVO fallout have occurred without warning among those participating in the ERDA medical followup program at Rongelap and Utirik. The belief that peoples of the Pacific are being used by ERDA in radiation effects research is widespread among the Marshallese and their leaders. Many are convinced that the ERDA medical followup program is not being conducted for their benefit but for other reasons.