CHAPTER TWO: DOE ROLE
by Roger Ray, DOE
Bert Friesen, Holmes & Narver, Inc.
2.1 PRE-CLEANUP EVENTS TO 15 JUNE 1977
2.1.1 Introduction
Responsibility for the administration of operation and maintenance activities at Enewetak Atoll was
assigned to a succession of federal agencies between 1947 and 1972. However, the Atomic Energy
Commission (AEC) remained cognizant of certain matters which would eventually be identified as
within the responsibilities of the Commission. As a legacy of atmospheric nuclear testing, the
radiological condition of Enewetak was appropriately a matter within the purview of the Nevada
Operations Office (NV) of the AEC. The situation at Enewetak, as viewed by the Manager, AEC/NV,
was clearly stated in a letter to the General Manager, AEC/HQ dated 8 June 1972. With only a few
minor deletions, the letter is quoted at length because it sets the stage for many of the decisions and
actions of the next seven years:
"During the past approximately one year, NV has become aware of, and I have
become increasingly concerned about, certain conditions and activities at
Eniwetok Atoll My concern stems from three facts:
"a,
It has appeared probable that Eniwetok, which has not yet had a Bikini-style
radiological cleanup, would soon be a candidate for rehabilitation and return
to the Marshallese. Since mid-April, 1972, this probability has become
reality, with a public commitment by the United States to return Eniwetok
to the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands by the end of 1973.
"b.
It has been known, due to the nature of the testing which was conducted at
Eniwetok, that cleanup and rehabilitation when it did occur would be
significantly more difficult and more costly than had been similar activities
at Bikini. It was also suspected that increased environmental sensitivity and
political and public visibility would be complicating factors in an Eniwetok
rehabilitation.
"ec.
There were and are on-going activities of the Department of Defense and
other public and private agencies which could aggravate the known (and
unknown)radiological problems and which could subject their participants to
unnecessary and unacceptable radiological exposures."
(A brief chronology of NV actions pertaining to Enewetak from July 1971, through May 1972, was
presented here.)
"For the most part the above actions have been taken without at least specific
Headquarters direction although they have been discussed from time to time with
the staff. However, at the present time it seems appropriate to seek policy
direction and to
recommend certain
Washington level
actions.
Most
fundamentally, there appears to be no question that a cleanup and rehabilitation of
Eniwetok will be undertaken in the reasonably near future and that the AEC will
have an essential and vital role in the planning and execution of that action. It
would appear that the Commission's role would be the provision of technical
support, advice and assistance to whatever agency is assigned overall
responsibility. Pending such assignment, it seems clear that the AEC has an
obligation to advise and assist from a radiological standpoint any agency which is
pursuing a legitimate activity at Eniwetok. NV requires direction as to the extent
to which this office should continue to take the initiative in this regard.
"With a date certain established for the return of Eniwetok to the Trust Territory,
the time available for planning a cleanup has now been fixed and is running.
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