iede> tig APPENDIX "c" UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION WASHINGTON 25, D, C. March 26, 1954 Mr, Thomas E. Murray, Acting Chairman United States Atomic Energy Commission — Washington 25, D.C. Dear Mr. Murray: Transmitted herewith are the comments and recommendations of the Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine on the "Report of the Committee to Study the Nevada Proving Ground" as requested by the Commission in @ memorandum dated February 19, 1954 to Dr. John Cc. Bugher, Director, Division of Biology and Medicine, from the Division of Military Application. The Advisory Committee held a special meeting to consider this report at the Atomic Energy Commission in Washington, D. C., on Saturday, March 13, 1954. Paraphrasing General Forrest's famous saying, "Victory goes to the nation that gits there fustest with the mostest and bestest weapons", This is no less true in the atomic age. It is therefor essential to continue the Nevada Proving Grounds in order to achieve maximum speed in the development of weapons. Speed is essential tonational survival, In emergencies such as this some risks, immediate and long term, must be accepted. These risks should be frankly and publicly ecknowledged. However, the policy of minimizing these risks must be continued in both the locai and nationai interest. Our recommendations relative to the criteria beginning on Page 2 of AEC 141/22 are as follows: a. The number of nucle@r shots at the Nevada Preving Crounds in one year should be held to a plénned maximum of ten. The nunber of three high yield tower shots should not normally be exceeded. b. & c. Each nuclear shot programmed, whether for AEC, military or civil defense, should be justified individually evaluated as to probable off-site hazard, and should include plans for controlling or reducing its fall-out. -8- Appendix "c"