-3« can determine the six sites in question are located on the Islands of Ujelang, Rongelap, Utirik, Kusaie, Wotho and Kapingamarangi. Rental of about $418.00 per year is being paid by DASA. The AEC medical team has two trailers located at Rongelap. It has not been determined if the rental payments cover these sites or just the Rad Safe site at the end of the Island, The rental paid at Utirik probably covers locations of the five buildings previously described. Mr. Norwood, High Commissioner asked our assistance in determining if Bikini could be returned to the natives who are now living on the Island of Kili. He also requested the salvage rights to vessels used in the tests and abandoned, We requested our Nevada Opera- tions Office to check on these two points. was received by twx 11/10/66, The following response "Unclas in response to your twx requesting information for High Commissioner W, R. Norwood, we have contacted a number of people in the AEC and other government agencies. A summary of pertinent facts and opinions relative to your questions are as follows: 1. On June 30, 1966, the AEC transferred possession of the Pacific proving grounds, including Bikini Atoll to the Department of Navy. Later the Navy relinquished control of PPG to the Air Force as part of the Western Test Range. Currently the Air Force is conducting classified activities in that area, If you desire details as to the nature of the activities, you should direct inquiries to the Air Force liason officer for the Western Test Range who is stationed in Honolulu, Though a number of radiological surveys and bioenvironmental studies have been conducted at Bikini since the last test there, none were speci- fically directed toward determinining when the islands could be reinhabited, It is the opinion of Dr. Gordon Dunning, Deputy Director, DOS, HQ, and others that, at present, there simply is not enough information about all facets of the radiological problems at Bikini to allow authorities in the AEC to consider reinhabitation of the islands on a completely unrestricted basis. 2. It is the opinion of Mr, Thomas Fleming, Chief Counsel, NVOO, that authority to dispose of the abandoned vessels must be delegated by DOD. At the present time, the