-3- nuclides in soil. These systems can be taken ashore on islands requiring soil pickup and removal. Additionally, a laboratory was established at Enewetak Island to support cleanup field cperations. The mobile systems and laboratory have operated successfully for the past year in support of DNA soil and debris cleanup operations. DOE systems and support personnel will continue to work with DNA until field operations are completed. DOE is also providing a full-time representative/advisor on the atoll to support the DNA cleanup commander. Despite the complications of this difficult project, cooperation among the various agencies and the people of Fnewetak has been exceptional. Northern Marshall Survey Considering that the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands is to terminate in 1981, and recognizing there is insufficient radiological information to categorize conditions on a number ‘of islands and atolls in the Northern Marshalls impacted by U.S. nuclear tests, AEC/ERDA/DOE staff have worked to obtain needed information. DOI, the Department of the Navy (DON), and DOE are now cooperating to conduct the survey. DOI is funding logistics support provided by DON, and DOE is funding the technical aspects of the survey which began in mid-September 1978. The survey is being conducted from the USNS Wheeling which supports land and marine survey teams, and also an aerial survey team using instrumentation in helicopters. Visits to the survey atolls were planned in three parts to allow periodic resupply of the ship at Kwajalein Atoll. Two of the three parts of the survey were completed October 30, 1978. The last - part of the field work will be completed in mid-November 1978. Preliminary information will be available in January 1979 showing external radiation levels in the atolis. Some of the survey atolls and islands are inhabited while others are not now but may be in the future. A complete assessment including the radiation dose received by people living on the 13 atolis and islands and who eat local terrestrial and marine foods will be available in about 2 years from initiation of the survey. Much of the time required is for laboratories to process -and analyze a very large number of collected environmental samples. The report of this survey will be a valuable documentation of radiological conditions in the Northern Marshalls and the findings are expected to facilitate status negotiation discussions related to the Marshall Islands portion of the -U.S. Trust Territory. DOE ARCHIVES