. ; . ‘ ‘ - . . Nee Unit ' States Department of ’ 2 Interior OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240 - foie. 410356 Recent developments have caused rave concerns as respects our responsibilities toward the people of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, primarily those of Bikini, Enewetak, Rongelap, Utirik and Rongerik Atolls. : . ° d The cleanup of Bikini, in anticipation of the eventual settlement, ._ was a joint effort among the Department of the Interior, Department of Defense, Atomic Energy Comnission and the Trust Territory of. the Pacific Islands, as set forth in the enclosed August 12, 1968, instructions from President Johnson. As we were proceeding with the construction program the Atomic Energy Commission, in November 1974, informed us of some recent radiological findings that caused us to We were told that a sophisticated follow-on -gurvey was highly desirable not only on Bikini but throughout the various nuclear test areas. To that end, Secretary Morton, in his March 7, 1975, letter to Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger, requested logistics support for the Energy Research and Development Administration survey. Unfortunately, in Mr. Clemeats' May 29,:°1975 reply, the Department of Defense could not provide this unless $609,000 in costs could be reimbursed. The Department of the Interior was unable to identify funds for this, nor could ERDA which was prepared to absorb all other related costs from monies already programmed. Consequently,.we are deeply concerned that a quality radiological survey such as that performei on Enewetak, whose people will not be coming back for some time, cannot be made available ina timelyfashion for the Bikinians whose return is imminent. Ser # . To compound the situation, on June 11 the Marshallese chief, who claims control over the atolls of Rongelap, Utirik and Rongerik, all “aceidental fallout areas from the’ 1954 Bravo test on Bikini, visited the Director of Territorial Affairs, claiming loss of.use and other ~ damage as a result of this event. He contends that the U.S. Government never presented the people with a briefing of any radio- logical survey conducted nor to date has Rongerik is habitable. told his people that It is clear that the U.S. Government has and will continue to have for many years, a long-term responsibility for thorough monitoring of CONSERVE AMERICA'S ENERGY : BEST CORY AVAILABLE ‘ ? al Bue 19. 97% Dear Dr. Seamans: siop the project. ' oe Save Energy and You Serve America! .