AOA S77
October 29, 1975
TO:
Guy H. Cunningham, OGC
The following material was discussed with Dr. Liverman.
STATEMENT OF ERDA POSITION ON BIKINI INJUNCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to state the ERDA position
on suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii
on the People of Bikini, et al vs Robert C. Seamans, Jr., et al,
Motion for Preliminary Injunction.
Background
In 1946 the President approved for National security reasons, the
use of Bikini Atoll for nuclear testing. In the period 1946 to 1958,
23 muclear tests were conducted at Bikini Atoll.
Following a request from the Secretary of the Interior in December
1966, AEC agreed to review the radiological conditions in the Atoll
and make recommendations on the return of the Bikini people. In
August 1968 the President announced the decision to return the Bikini
people to their Atoll. Also, the President directed the Secretary of
Defense, Secretary of the Interior and Chairman of AEC to cooperate
in the Bikini resettlement program.
The AEC was responsible for advice and assistance on radiological
matters. The DOD was responsible for conducting the cleanup. The
Department of the Interior was responsible for rehabilitation and resettlement.
BEST AVAILABLE CoP
During the period 1966 to the present, AEC/ERDA has continued to
provide the DOI with advice on the radiological aspects of the rehabilita-
tion and resettlement of Bikini Atoll.
Periodic followup radiological surveys of Bikini have been conducted
specifically in 1970, 1972 and 1975, In January 1975, ERDA agreed to
conduct a radiological evaluation and make an assessment of the Trust
Territory's preliminary plans for constructing additional housing at
Bikini Atoll.
A radiological survey of Bikini and Eneu Islands was
made in June 1975.
Preliminary results of this survey were presented
at a briefing, August 1975.
Additional information and assessments
were to be provided in about 6 months.
~~
RC
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