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 53