- ATPAC, MENT DRAFT MEMORANDUM PREPARED 6/28/77 POR THE ATTENTION OF AES We, as concerned citizens un the ERDA-Marshall and scientists participating Islands Workshop on June 27-29, 2.977, ave reviewed the imminent decontamination program for Enevetas Atoll. feel We call your attention the following matters, that many aspects of the proposed program are since we economically and environmentally unaccepvable. The rationale for removing plutonium-contaminated soil based on assumptions regarding resusvension of Pu tha: are validated by empirical data. Additionally, is 10t we question whether the guidelines which have been established fox SOll removed are supportable. However, we accept that certain contaminted material does have to be xvemoved and agree that this can be placed under control on Runit islet. The present total inventory of plutonium in the terrestrial environment at Enewetak available for resuspension ana resultant dose commitment cannot be significantly altered by the proposed course of action. The removal of soil from Engebi and other islets would cause a serious loss (humus layer), of the atoll's most valuable terrestrial which cannot readily be replaced. The placement of contaminated concrete slurry into rater does not remove this material interaction, rosource actus from environmental since direct occan water connections into the crater exist; and present knowledge indicated breakdcwn ana remobilization of Pu will occur. We therefore reconmend that the projected soil removal aspect of the Enewetak We recommend thak vou cleanup should immediately be reevaluated reevaluate specificativ SOil removal and the Gisposition OF . qm - = 5011225 the basis for thal Which 2s vohoven.