3 ENEWETAK ATOLL :, a gauge was fabricated. teeth 18 inches long. le forms before a section ction to the other. This ) that any depressions or ter several sections had re turning out to be over vas being used than was if the compaction of the € poured in each section to fill the form. To ige were cut to 16-1/2 d findings, subsequent »th thicker and thinner, MENT ~in the project began to ), The USAE had been '§ to removethelast of -crosse Crater. Though iously and foundto be Was removed from the sed that some of the crater containment). It this small quantity of e the fact that capping 2re to be madein the iS was to be placed and is would comply with $s placed inside the cap ‘ the surrounding soil sction. Consequently, ated metallic debris ss than 18 inches of 3 placed in the bottom ng would be highly 4tain the material and shield, completely ete appeared to be in te structure. These Runit (Yvonne) Cleanup and Crater Containment 465 conclusions were later validated by an on-site inspection by representatives of the Army Chief of Engineers, who concluded that the placementof metallic debris in some cap sections was ‘“‘not detrimental to the adequacy of the concrete dome cap to provide the erosion protection intended.’’!31 Approximately 30-40 cubic yards of debris were contained in this manner, in and under the cap sections. As the USAE mobilized more of its forces to complete policing of the debris on the ocean reef, the seasonal recession of the beaches revealed more and more debris, much of it proving to be red when monitored by the FRST. It was concluded from aerial and surface reconnaissance thatfar more red debris was being found than could be accommodated in the dome. !32,133 It was at this point that Field Command and HQ DNA first heard that red debris was actually going into the cap sections. The CJTG was directed to cease all such debris encapsulation in the cap sections. He was advised that further guidance would be provided on the method to be used for disposal. POD was consulted and sent a representative to the atoll to study the problem. After on-site conferences with the JTG and USAE, a proposal was madeto adda small extension to the containment facility on the island side (Figure 8-50).!34 This antechamber was to be constructed adjacent to the keywall with the same design specifications as the existing facility. The contaminated debris would be placed in the antechamber and choked with clean concrete slurry. An 18-inch cap would be placed on the chamberasin the dome cap construction. The 7 September 1979 Field Commandproposal to DNA was approved for execution on 17 September 1979, and the JTG tasked the USAEto construct the antechamber. Work began on 19 September on a 20-by-60foot addition at the keywall (Figure 8-51). Aside from problemsrelated to the water table, the work was completed without mishap. Complete sweeps of Runit and its reefs yielded approximately 120 cubic yards of contaminated debris, which were disposed of in the extension before it was sealed and capped. !35 As the winter equinox approached, the beaches continued to recede. Two monthsafter all capping operations were completed, more debris was exposed which, based on percentages in the previous Runit discoveries, could be expected to contain a substantial amount of contaminated material. The first indications were passed to Field Commandby the JTG on 17 November 1979 in a report on seven pieces of red debris.!36 The CITG recommended several alternative methods of disposal and requested disposition instructions. While awaiting disposition instructions, the stockpile of red debris continued to grow. By 1 December, about 4 cubic yards had accumulated. After considering proposals to seal the debris in drums and ship them to Johnston Island, leave them in place, or place |