1181 Mr Sos na beppamad te As Pincns’ ssticle on Merch: 1h where he savs—the article is titled. “WS. Erree or the Sctety of + Returm to Bikini Island.” Nine years ago the C.S. Government told the Bikini Islanders it was Kafe 16 returt to their atoll, once the site of puciesr weapors tests ir the Pacific Some of the islanders went home But now the government bas found that i was wranc According to teste last year the groundwater in Bikini is still toc radioactive for bumer consumption Sc are the coconuts and fruits aod referable: grown fp the still contaminated soll. So the Interior Departmen: has vers quieils asked Congress for €15 million to move the islanders to another location. _ Why are you asking for more money if it is safe! Is it safef Safe is a rejative term, isn’t itf Mr. Dray. Yes. it is. If it was practicable for the people to onlyeat outside food and maybe have to drink outside water, then wethink that goes within the Federal standards, and that is the only guideline we have to go with. Since that is not a practical solution and we do see a rise in the cesium in the whole body counting. we believe that they should no be allowed to eat the foodon the island. and it is probably not a prartical situation. Any additional resettlement should be on Encu Island where they can have their schools and other facilities. That i¢ the direction they should move and not try to do that on Bikini Island. Mr. Yates. Should theystay there is the question. Who is exercising the judgment on whether they should stay theref Haven't the levels been increasing! Our friend has ssid they are almost up to the top of the Federal standards. If they stay there, won't they go over the top! Mor. Dear. The whole question is, if they were to not eat the locally as on Bikini Island, would the radiation dose fromcesium— go down? Mr. Yates. What will you do, bring in box lunches? Mr. Dear. That ts the impractical part of the solution. CURRENT FEEDING FROGRAM OD} BIEIN] Mr. Wixgez. If I might speak to this part of the discussion, becau~ it brings in the present time period. What is being discussed illu-- pointed out, one of the difficulties of administration. Decisions must be based on available information. Our decisions have to be based on the information which you have been given, which J] also have been given, by representatives of the Department of Energy that local conditions would be safe if ample outside food supplies wert provided for the Je on the island. In addition, we provided equi}: ment for fishing in the lagoon. The outside food is sent in on a regular basis. These food supplies, while not attractive in al} respects from the point of view of the normal diet, because some USDA preserved foodare included, provide a food standard which is in terms of nutmuon far above the average as far as diet in the Trust Territoryis concerned. Mr. Yates. What does that meanf You deliver K rations to them! What land of food are you talking about! Mr, Wixxei Dried foods, fresh fruits and vegetables from Ponape, ae varied & died as far as protein, aarch, carbohydrates is concerned. It is. prepared by nutritionists. 9011521 ATETENT trates, as you have