"DOE ARCHIVE: PaS-B ri UNITED STATES! ~~ 5 ARCHIVES ; ATOMIC ENERGY comMissi8ke U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY WASHINGTON. D.C. aobad i 408299 a COMMISSIO <taeraad gt Tae ee 4 eee ee ‘ teliece 6+ lle -9 f . R y 4 i ’ > em -i | Box | ‘ i. a Folder MHS. FASVr|ik ata 2 newer,5 etl Dr. S, Dillon Ripley Secretary Smithsonian Institution Washington, D. C. 20560 Dear Dillon: I appreciate your inquiry with regard to our consideration of an expedition to Bikini for the collection of biota from the region as representative of post=detonation conditions, Members of our Division of Biology and Medicine staff have been in contact with Dr. I. E. Wallen of your staff, We would like some kind of report on the present status of the earlier collections and Dr, Osterberg of our staff and Dr, Wallen are discussing this matter, We also wish to review the results of the most recent expedition of the University of Washington to Bikini. Dr. Wallen's thought is that return of the natives makes this work of likely significance, The original surveys of the Bikini biota to which Dr. Wallen refers were partially supported by the Atomic Energy Commission, However, these were time-limited and it is my understanding that nothing definitive was accomplished that would make a new survey significant or interpretable with regard to effects on biota of weapons tests, We will continue to explore the matter with Dr, Wallen, A veview of the problems associated with repatriation of the Bikini people is scheduled for May 13-15. AEC input will be concerned only with radiation, although many other problems do exist. Cordially, cc: Secretariat (2)~————-@& ene OTty pete GM (2) AGMRD BMA BMES Chairman A2eLl~f 4