Radiological support was provided to the engineering survey by a team composed of AEC staff and
personnel on loan from EPA. The purpose of the radiological effort was twofold:
l.

2.

To provide radiological safety support to the engineering team on those islands which had

known or suspected radiological hazards.

To survey, evaluate, and report the radiological conditions of the structures and scrap on
these islands.

The islands for which radiological support was required and for which measurements were reported
were: Alice, Belle, Clara, Daisy, Edna, Irene, Janet, Pearl, Sally, and Yvonne.

Radiological survey measurements of structures and scrap metal were recorded directly on as-built
drawings provided by H&N. These drawings were also used by the engineering team to locate the
structures they were examining.
Contaminated structures and activated/contaminated scrap were found on a numberof islands.

The

locations of this scrap and the contact exposure rates measured were indicated on the as-built

drawings. Area exposure rates and approximate isopleths were also shown on the drawings so that a

simple comparison could be made betweenscrapradiation levels and the surrounding "background".

The report to DNA was compiled into a three-volume document to provide an engineering study of

the condition of Enewetak Atoll.

It also includes recommendations, schedules, and cost estimates

for mobilizing and demobilizing construction and base forces, logistics, and cleanup procedures.

The structures, facilities, and debris found on the atoll in 1972 were the result of World War II
activities, nuclear testing, missile testing, and other programs conducted by governmental agencies.
The H&N report outlined as follows the work necessary "to make the atoll safe for occupation":
1.

Demolishing and disposing of all structures that, by their presence, constitute safety

hazards.

2.

Disposing of ali debris deemed to be a safety hazard.

3.

Disposing of radioactive materials and reducing the radiation emitted from soils that
exceed permissible residual radiation levels.

Volume I contains an island-by-island survey consisting of aerial photographs of each island and a
listing of all structures and other construction on each. The condition of each item was indicated as
well as a recommendation for it to be removed, left as is, or that some modification or rehabilitation
be done. Each decision was based primarily on potential use to the Enewetak people, present or
future, which the item represented.
Volume Il is an oversize assembly of individual maps of all the islands. Each map showsthe location
of each structure, item of construction, junk pile, concrete strip, and bomb test station, as well as of
stands of vegetation and other natural features. Also shown are such items of radiological interest
as contaminated burial areas, contaminated scrap heaps, and other radioactive debris.
Volume III contains detail and summary cost estimates. The estimate at that time (April 1973) for
cleanup alone was approximately $28.85 million. However, the cleanup actions to which this
estimate applied differed considerably from actions actually taken during the 1977-80 cleanup.
2.1.4 AEC Surveys, 1971-1973
Survey of July 1971. When the Air Force was planning to conduct the PACE programs at Enewetak,
the AEC/NV was requested to perform a radiological reconnaissance as part of the site selection
phase. In July of 1971, a two-man team (one of the members was borrowed from EPA Las Vegas)
made radiation measurements on six islands of interest to the pending Air Foree program. Islands

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