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 | US DOE ARCHIVES 326 U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY MMISSION—_—__—— Collection Dos l> Cal Box Jeh #3 Folder &- Files 13264 NI} = Uw ry ESPerdene © v