assistance in locating the second group of houses on Bikini Island, the ERDA recommended that en aerial survey of the type flown at Enewetak be conducted for the entire Bikini Atoil. This survey would provide detailed data including contours of the total external gamma radiation, content and plutonium in the soil surface. isotopic Neither the ERDA nor the DOI had the integrated logistical support system needed for an aerial survey and DOD was requested to supply this. ment Since DOD would request reimburse- for its support and there was insufficient time to obtain the necessary funding, ERDA conductec a limited ground survey of external radiation levels on Bikini and Eneu Islands in June 1975. that The results of this survey showed the radiation of the interior of Bikini Island was too high for further housing settlements and that future settlements on nearby Eneu Island would minimize radiation exposures. Kili Istand CIVIL NO. Currently, theBikinians are beingresettledto_ A lawsuit, THE PEOPLE OF BIKINI, ET AL VS. SEAMANS, ET AL, 75-348 U.S.D.C., D. Hawaii, alleges that the U.S. Government has not assessed properly the radiological conditions at Bikini and among other things, requests the court to order an aerial survey for Bikini comparable to that conducted at Enewetak. Justice, the plaintiffs' During negotiations with the Department of legal counsel recognized that the surveys and evaluation of radiological conditions at Bikini Atoll were not as comprehensive as more recent work at Enewetak Atoll, and sought an aerial radiological survey of Bikini and the other northern Marshall Islands. The merits of the aerial survey have been thoroughly discussed at staff levels between DOL, DOD, and DOE both before and after the initiation of the lawsuit. of ERDA, Briefings on the survey were provided to the Administrator the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health and Environment), the Department of the Interior, Office of Trust Territories, staff members of OMB, and the Chairman of the CEQ. eee voi g gs?