Bi xperience had to be considered. DOE offered to do a thorough reassessment of the radiation fore the end of May 1979. DNA was concerned that a delay in planting beyond the planned dos schedwe might mean that logisties and facilities support would not be available, and consequently, the trees might not be planted at all. One DNA report stated that the success of the overall project would be at least partially judged by the U.S, Government's fulfillment of its commitment to provide the people of Enewetak with adequate subsistence and commercial cash crops. Concern over funding problems that could develop if the six northeast islands were not planted prior to departure of cleanup and rehabilitation forces, led to the suggestion in May 1979, that planting be done immediately. If it was later determined that the fruit bore excessive levels of radiation the trees could be destroyed. In the 8- to 10-year interim, the trees could harm no one, but would contribute substantially to the ecological restoration of the islands. (Mitchell, 1979.) On 13 September 1979, Interior informed DNA that after considering all of the factors involved, it had been decided that planting of the six islands should proceed. Planting of 10,690 coconut seedlings on Olive, Pearl, Sally, Tilda, Ursula and Vera was completed 28 February 1980. Because these trees were planted during the Enewetak dry season, some additional expense was encountered in watering the seedlings until the 1980 wet scason was well underway. 2.3 CLEANUP PHASE (by E. D Campbell, DOE/NV) 2.3.1 Seope of DOE Responsibility The Shedd-Liverman Agreement between DNA and ERDA outlined the basic responsibilities assigned to ERDA in the cleanup project. The specifie features of ERDA's (DOE's) role were modified somewhat during subsequent planning and execution of the field work. In summary, DOE provided personnel and resources to do the following: a. Perform radiological surveys of the atoll to ascertain the areal distribution of transuranic nuclides in the soils of the various islands. b. Provide technical advice to DNA and JTG in the planning and conduct of cleanup operations. c. Establish and operate a radiation laboratory at Enewetak. (The laboratory was used to analyze samples, primarily soils, as part of the radiation survey effort, and to support the JTG radiological safety program by counting air filter papers, nose swipes, and other health physics samples. The RADLAB included an instrument calibration and maintenance shop for servicing all radiation instruments on-AtolL) d. Certify to the CJTG, on an island-by-island basis, the radiological conditions on each island at the conclusion of the cleanup project. 2.3.2 ERSP Conceptand Staffing To earry out the responsibilities described above, an "Enewetak Radiological Support Project" (ERSP) was established by the ERDA Nevada Operations Office in Las Vegas, Nevada. The project organization was staffed with personnel from ERDA and ERDA contractors experienced in nuclear test programs, augmented at Enewetak with military personnel detailed from the Navy and Air Force (see Figure 2-5). The Manager of ERSP was a senior management official of the ERDA (DOE) Nevada Operations Office (NV). Either he, or one of his six Deputy Project Managers (technical staff from NV), was on Enewetak at all times to lead the field team. full strength, consisted of the following: a. Other components of the ERSP field team, when at Technical Advisor. A physical scientist, usually a health physicist. This position was filled by rotating personnel on loan from: DOE/NV, Environmental Protection Agency, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, Sandia Laboratory, Battelle-Pacifie Northwest Laboratory, Desert Research Institute, and Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Co., Inc. 72