Mr. Stanley Carpenter -2- —- KOY S 1574 Depending upon the results of ovr periodic radiation surveys at both Bikini and Enewetak, and the determination of uptake of \ radioactivity by food crops, there is a possibility that restrictions may have to be placed on the use of foods such as pandanus, bread- | fruit, papaya and bananas which are nowbeing cultivated on Bikini | Island. We recommend that any addition2l housing be constructed on Encu, or if this is not feasible, that any further construction on Bikini Island be deferred until the radiological consequences can be evaluated. ~— On July 12, 1970, in our letter to Mr. Coleman, we recommended that clean coral aggregate from a supply stored on Peter-Oboe be | used for house construction on Bikini Atoll. In May 1972, we confixrucd that aggregate having low radioactivity levels from Peter-Oboe| was being used for houses under construction on Bikini Island atthat | time. However, during this recent visit,..Ted Mitchell said the con- # struction contractor had informed him that eggregate from Bikini ~ Island was being used for house ccnstruction. .We reaffirm the -- earlier recommendation that coral aggregete with low radioactivity levels from Peter-Oboe should be used in constructing buildings at Bikini Atoll, Other sources should not be used until they have been checked for radioactivity. Furthermore, if some houses on Bikini Island were indeed constructed with coral aggregate taken from Bikini Island, we should know which houses are involved so that additional radiation monitoring can be done inside these houses. Depending upon the results of these measurements, additional recommendations may be necessary. - We observed that many of the recently planted coconut trees on -- Bikini Island have shown little growth over this past year, and have turned yellow. I hope that some agricultural specialist can examine the condition of these trees and that steps can be taken to improve the situation. Finally, the basis for AEC's earlier position on the early return of a group to Japtan, was predicated in a large measure on early commencement of cleanup activities. We assumed that the buildup of facilities and the other associated support would facilitate im- plementing the more specific considerations contained in Dr. Liver- man's letter of July 18, 1974. ~ In view of the current funding DOE ARCHIVES =~ -