"5. The use of certain equipment and other assets available to the DOD may bein
the best interest of the U.S. Government. These assets, to the extent possible, will
be utilized for the clean up phase.
"6. An environmental impact statement concerning the ecological implications of
clean up will be required prior to a decision on whether or not to perform the clean
up operation.
"7,
Funding guidance will be provided separately to the Project Manager by the
Secretary of Defense." (Rush, 1972.)
2.1.2 Early Surveys and Reports
The University of Washington Applied Fisheries Laboratory (AFL), later to become the Laboratory of
Radiation Biology (LRB), then the Laboratory of Radiation Ecology (LRE), was involved in
radioecology studies at Bikini and Enewetak starting with the first nuclear tests conducted at the
Pacifie Proving Ground in 1946. Throughout the testing period and continuing into the late 1970s,
Laboratory personnel returned many times to investigate and document the biological effects of
nuclear testing. Laboratory emphasis was placed on gaining an understanding of the mechanisms
whereby radionuclides were absorbed by marine and terrestrial biota and documenting the short and
long term effects of these radiation sources. (A complete list of University of Washington
publications resulting from the Enewetak studies appears in the bibliography.)
Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (now LLNL), of the University of California, provided the lion's
share of technical effort in the Enewetak Radiological Survey of 1972-73, reported in NVO-140.
With more than 100 laboratory personnel involved in that effort which extended well over a year, it
was natural that the commitment and interest of some would lead to continued involvement. In 1974
and beyond, emphasis was placed upon studies of the Atoll's ecological systems and the significance
of radiological contaminants in these systems to the safety and well-being of returning populations.
From time to time the LLL investigators were called upon for advice pertaining to the cleanup and,
in turn, the data base generated during the cleanup made a substantial contribution to the LLL
studies. (A complete list of Lawrence Livermore Laboratory publications resulting from Enewetak
studies appears in the bibliography.)
The continuing surveillance of Bikini, commencing with the cleanup of that atoll in 1969, provided
additional insight and experience pertinent to the Enewetak task. Although the radiological
conditions of the two atolls differed in detail, there was enough similarity to make knowledge gained
and lessons learned at one highly useful at the other.
2.1.3 Engineering Study, 1972
In October 1972, Holmes & Narver, Inc., (H&N) was awarded a contract by the Defense Nuclear
Agency, Washington, D.C., to make an engineering study and estimate of the work involved in
making the islands of Enewetak Atoll safe for human habitation. Field work under this contract
commenced on 12 October 1972, and was completed on 21 December 1972.
The objectives of the mobilization, demobilization, and cleanup plans were:
1.
To conduct the cleanup work safely and efficiently.
2.
To use, to the maximum extent possible, the existing facilities for the support of the work
foree.
3.
To remove the existing impediments to the use of the islands for food production and for
habitation within the limits of practicality and economy.
Each island was visited by the engineering team, and each structure was located, examined,
categorized, and indicated in the notes and on the drawings. The results of this engineering effort
were reported to DNA. (Holmes & Narver, 1973.)
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