OBSERVATIONS ON THE PROJECT TO CLEANUP, REHABILITATE, AND RESEITLE ENEMETAK ATOLL COMPTROLLER GENERAL’S REPORT TO THE CONGRESS 1 DIGEST ——.- i -. The United States acquired Enewetak Atoll from the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in 1946 to use as a nuclear weqons Before the testing began, the United States reloca~d proving ground. the people of Enewetak, then numbering 742, to Uje7ang Ato77,a smaller less desirable atoll, where they still reside. Forty-three nuclear tests were conducted .. : at Enewetak from 1943 to 1953 which left some of the islands of the Atoll . cbnta!ninatedwith radioactive elements. (See p. 1.) ,. .—.-- - .. ---- .—- —-----—.- - -- ——.—- -— - . In 1972, the United States announced it was preparedto ---- release Enewetak Atoll to the Trust Territory with the expectation it wuld cleaned up and resettled. The cleanup, rehabili%cmand eventually be resettlement project is underway and is expected to be completed im1980.at of about ”$120 million. The Departments of Defense, E=rgy . are responsible for the project. (See P. a cost - and Interior 3.) As work progresses on the cleanup of radiological debris and soil on Enewetak, there are several developments suggesting that theoriiginal plan will not be achieved. The returning people of Enewetak may have more living pattern restrictions imposed on them than initially pl+nned. Some islands designated for agricultural or food gathering purpos~. may be quarantined indefinitely. . (See p. 9.) . . “