Ronald G. Bakal, Esa. Bakal §& Bakal — S408 Sepulveda Boulevard Culver Clty, California Dear Mr. 90230 Bakal: This is in reply to your letter of November 15, 1976, to Or. Robert seamans concerning compensation for the peaple of Utiriki. Atoll for certain specifically stated effects caused by the test detonation of a nuctear device on March 1, 1954, The delay in responding to your letter has been due In part to our awaiting the submisston of a bill sponsored by the Department of the Interior authorizing ex-gratia compensation to the people of Utir{k.. The Intertor sponsored bill, with minor modiffcations, was combined wlth an omn {bus bil} (H.R. 6110, now H.R. 6550) and was recently Introduced into the House of Representatlves by Representative Phillip Burton. A copy Is enclosed, Such Jegislation would be in keeping with a past Government authorization (P.L. 94-34) of ex-gratla payments to the people of Bikini Atoll which you referred to {In your letter. The Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDAMJand Its predecessor agency, the Atomlc Energy Commission (AEC), have been intimately familiar with the experfence of the peoples of the Marshall the past 30 years. Istands during in conjunction with the Trust TertIltory Government and the Departments of the Interfor and Defense, we have continuous] y assisted in pursuing the Government's efforts to Ident!fy and correct problems resulting From the testing programs of the 1940's and 1950's. We have also sought to keep the Marshallese people maximally Informed about the multitude of U.S. and Trust Territory efforts in the area, so as to avoid undue concern “huiously, this is especially important with respect to complex