-2-
assistance in locating the second group of ‘houses on Bikini Idland, the
ERDA recommended that an aerial survey of the type flown at Erfewetak be
conducted for the entire Bikini Atoll.
{
This survey would provide detailed
data including contours of the total external gamma radiation,J isotopic
content and plutonium in the soil surface.
{
Neither the ERDA
npr the DOI
had the integrated logistical support system needed for an aerfial survey
and DOD was requested to supply this.
Since DOD would request
ment for its support and there was insufficient time to obtainf
reimbursethe necessary
funding, ERDA conducted a limited ground survey of external rafliation levels
NtEe latin ee
cantina aie ule
on Bikini and Eneu Islands in June 1975.
The results of this
burvey showed
that the radiation of the interior of Bikini Island was too hikh for further
housing settlements and that future settlements on nearby Eneuf
Island would
minimize radiation exposures.
nt project is
under review.
Currently, the Bikini resettle
A lawsuit, THE PEOPLE OF BIKINI, ET AL VS.
§
CIVIL NO. 75-348 U.S.D.C., D. Hawaii, alleges that the U.S. G
NS, ET AL,
ernment has
hot assessed properly the radiological conditions at Bikini a
among other
things, requests the court to order an aerial survey for Biki
comparable
to that conducted at Enewetak.
Justice, the plaintiffs’
During negotiations with the
Department of
legal counsel recognized that the surpeys and
evaluation of radiological conditions at Bikini Atoll were notf
as compre-
hensive as more recent work at Enewetak Atoll, and sought an
rial radiolo-
gical survey of Bikini and the other northern Marshall Islands
The merits of the aerial survey have been thoroughly discussedj
at staff
levels between DOI, DOD, and DOE both before and after the inifiation of
the lawsuit.
Briefings on the survey were provided to the Administrator
of ERDA, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health and Envir
ent),
the
Department of the Interior, Office of Trust Territories, stafff members of
OMB, and the Chairman of the CEQ.