is it intended to show one point of view as superior to another, or to illuminate a "victor" at the
expense of a "loser" in any issue. Controversy can, and did, exist for a number of reasons, such as
misinterpretation of intent, honest difference of opinion, uncertain interpretation of a poorly defined
problem, reluctance to commit to an action with long-term and unclear consequences, to name 4&
few. In the sections that follow, the seven issues will be presented first with background as
necessary, then from the viewpoint of each side, then final resolution along with justification for the
decisions made. This procedure is intended to document, as well as illuminate, the issues, and to
steer readers to more detailed supporting documents, some of which may be found in the microfiche.
2.2.1 Ocean Dumping Versus Crater Entombment
The question of the proper method to be used to dispose of plutonium contaminated soil and debris
was not resolved with issuance of the EIS in 1975. As actual soil characterization and removal
became imminent the issue was again raised, this time at the ERDA ~ Marshall Islands Workshop held
at LLL on 27~29 June 1977. A large group of ERDA and ERDA contractor personnel had gathered to
review ERDA programs in the Marshall Islands, including the decontamination program for Enewetak
Atoll. At an informal "rump session" the second evening of this workshop, a group of participants
drafted a statement expressing their concerns regarding soil removal and crater containment.
On
the following day, in open session, their statement was offered to the Chairman for possible
workshop discussion. Instead, however, the Chairman chose to accept the memorandum unsigned,
and bring it to the attention of Dr. Liverman, Assistant Administrator for Environment of ERDA.
The statement included the following:
"The placement of contaminated concrete slurry into Cactus Crater does not remove
this material from environmental interaction, since direct ocean water connections
into the crater exist; and present knowledge indicates breakdown and remobilization of
Pu will occur. We therefore recommend that the projected soil removal aspect of the
Enewetak cleanup should immediately be re-evaluated. We recommend that you
re-evaluate specifically the basis for soil removal and the disposition of that which is
removed." (Gates, 1977.)
The statement received very limited distribution outside of ERDA but produced two almost
immediate results. The first was a flurry of correspondence enumerating the arguments for or
against the subjects of the statement, The second was a call by ERDA to assemblea select group of
scientists familiar with biological, health and environmental aspects of plutonium to participate in a
review of:
1.
AEC recommendations for cleanup and rehabilitation of Enewetak Atoll and specifically
the criteria for plutonium-239 in soiL
2.
Environmental and health implications and long-term monitoring requirements for crater
disposal of contaminated debris and soil on Runit Island.
The group of scientists met in Las Vagas, Nevada, on 15-18 August 1977. The chairman of the group
was Dr. William J. Bair, Manager, Biomedical and Environmental Research Program, Battelle-Pacific
Northwest Laboratory. The group became known as the Bair Committee. The committee heard
presentations from several staff members from both ERDA and DNA, and reviewed supporting
documents distributed prior to the meeting. In reporting to ERDA, the committee stated:
"In examining the question of disposal of contaminated soil and debris, the reviewers
considered potential human health effects, future maintenance and monitoring
requirements, retrievability, potential restrictions on access to Runit Island,
implications and risk of reopening the Environmental Impact Statement, costs,
quantities of debris, and engineering problems. Weighed against these considerations
the reviewers agreed that the planned emplacement of concrete-encased
plutonium-contaminated soil and debris in the Cactus Crater would not in itself impose
unacceptable human health risks.
The method could result in the gradual
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