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4030S J
IANA ISLANDS 95o00
“MICRONESIAN NEWS SERVICE/SAIPAN, MAR
January 22, 1969
BIXINI CLEAN-UP TO START SOON
Saipan (MNS)--U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and Department
umped into action to get the Bikini renabilitetion
4
moving as quickly as possible.
Col. John Schott of the AEC
an cigateman survey team to begin clearing the Eneu Island cirstrip
on Bikiai Atoll.
Unfortunately, the Trust Territory ships in the
Yt
Marshalls are now tied up with tyrhoon relief efforts.
Other
possible means of transportation are being explored.
According to Deputy High Cormissioner Martin P. Mangan, the
“7 - Atomic Eners
wey y
Commissioner has several hundred trousaad dollars
woich must be spent before the end of fiscal year 1969 or before
July 1, 1969.
The total of AEC and Defense Department funds
available at this time is understood to be in the vicinity of
9600,CG0,
The cost of cleaning out the dangerous structures,
debris and radioactive iron is estimated by the AEC's contractor,
Homes and Narver, to be $1,200,000.
will cost about $3,200,000.
The entire return to Bikini
Former President Johnson requested
$1.7 million in his budget message last week, but the fact that.
other money is now available will mean 3ikini rehabilitation can
start at least six moaths earlier than previously planned.
One
a
AILAB
BEST COPY AV
LE
visited Saipan Tuesday, January 21, to arrange transportation for
of the first jobs to be done oa Bikini is to clecr
400 feet of the Eneu airstrip so that short-takeoff-and~landing
“-more=
a
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