adiation for the people living on Bikini from
969 to 1978. The average dose was 1.2 rem.
vith a maximum of 3 rem. These levels were not
-ery different from those received by other
world populations and were not expected to proiuce any discernible effects.
In 1978, a comprehensive radiological survey
of the northern Marshall Islands was conducted, using helicopters equipped with gammameasuring instruments. Manyfood, water, and
soil samples were collected from the Islanas for
radioassays. DOE’s policy was to furnish copies
of all of its technical reports and findings to the
Trust Territory government and to the Marshall
Island authorities. This practice was followed in
the dissemination of radiological survey results
in the 1970s, and because of the direct personal
impact of these reports on the resident popuila‘tions, the DOE commissioned a series of simple
bilingual booklets, which were delivered and
explained to the affected people (A, 53, 58).
In late 1978, the Trust Territory Government
began new construction on Kili Island to make
it more permanent and habitable (B-73).
The following personal communication from
Roger Ray, former Manager of the DOE program in the Marshall Islands, describes more
recent events regarding the resettlement of
Bikini.
At Bikini, DOE-directed Lawrence
S44
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tal radiation leveis which. wereloW-enough,
to permit resettlement, but neighboring |
Bikini Island, from which the atoll takes
its name, required further study and treat-
sions.*> In 1988 the Congress granted the
sum of 90 million dollars to the Bikini peo‘ple to enable them to select and implement
remedial measures from Livermore and
BARCstudies.
In the meantime, the population on Kili
Island had expanded to over 1000 people due to |
influx of Bikinians from other atolls. They now
appear to have become better adjusted to life
there. They have usedfinancial assistance to
improve housing, build a gymnasium, and a new
dispensary. Thevillage at Kili is looked upon by
other Marshallese as a model village (B-73).
The long years away have not lessened the
desire of the people, particularly older people,
to return to Bikini. Most of the younger genera-
tion has neverseen the island. Their nostalgia .
has been somewhat assuaged in the past few
years by allowing small groups of Bikinians to
make short visits to the island. The recently
completed Council House on the island affords a
center for activities.
DOE scientists are advising the Bikini people
about possible methods for radiological clean-up
of their Island. (B-104). It will probably be some
years before resettlement is possible. Time has
taken its toll, so that the numbersin the original group evacuated in 1946 are greatly
reduced. It is sad that many of the older people
may never realize their dream of returning to
live on their homeisland.
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,
ment. Bikini was the traditional population center and ancestral home of many
Bikinians, and without the productive land
of Bikini a resettlement was not apt to succeed.
By the mid-1980's, the Livermore work
had demonstrated several promising techniques for making Bikini Island habitable
and for improving conditions at Eneu. The
United States Congress authorized independent studies by a group of scientists
selected by the Bikini people and their
advisors to verify the Livermore conclu-
2004 18h
‘She Bikini Atoll Rehabilitation Commuttee (BARC),
Chairman: Henry Kohn.
35