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. 33