Dr. Joseph Maher
December 16, 1976

Page

4

IT would vecommend that ERDA assume a more proactive role in the
total effort.
It's highly unlikely that pop and DOI will do more

then carry out their immediate responsibilities.
Continued moni~
toring of radioactive levels is important as are continued efforts

to communicate

risks

to Marshall

Islanders.

Moreover,

I would

strongly urge ERDA to consider monitoring the adjustment and interaction processes of island groups.
From my experience in working

with American Indian groups involved in similar relocation efforts,
I can assure you that the transition will not be a smooth one.

The following questions are but a partial list of issues that could
be addressed:
1.

2.

What

steps will be

taken

to assist the

Islanders

eventually develop a self-supporting economy?
What relearning of

former methods of subsistence

will occur and what will be their effect on the
quality of life?

3.

What norms and sanctions will emerge that will pre~
vent.Islanders from frequenting off-limit areas?
How will they be enforced?

4.

To what extent have western ways affected the culture

§.

Will

of

the people?

adoption of western ways

deviancy,

such as

depression,

6.

7.
8.

9.

etc.?

introduce

forms

alcoholism, delinquency,

of

reduce

What adjustments will be made by Islanders and how

will

they effect daily

What does

_isolated

the

future

living patterns?

hold

for

an

island group

from the main flow of economic activity?

What are the social,
etc. of Islanders?

educational,

employment needs,

Research Centers here in Seattle has comto the issues just raised and can plan a

long-term program to investigate a number of these issues.
demand

representing

tise

social

unemployment,

What prevention measures can be developed to
the possible emergence of social deviancy?

Battelle Human Affairs
petent staff sensitive
tasks

to

an

function

interdisciplinary

approach where

staff

The

scientists

a broad range of social and behavioral science experas

a

team.

I011123

.

Select target paragraph3