.
*
SPTIGAAL Pond peo. to
sc
ea Preun (a Com) with
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ne
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
;
.
;
‘
x
Memorandum
TO
=: John R. Totter, Director
Division of Biology and Medicige
Fe wn pe ne SpE ORE YP
FROM = Martin B, Biles, Director
SUBJECT:
.
pate:
FEB 15 1968
Ld ith. Mik
Division .ef Operational Safe
a
CONFIRMED
A BE UNCLASSIFIED
DOE/SA-20
AUTHORITY:
.
DELIBERATIONS ON RESETTLEMENT OF BIKINI ATOLL
BY
, DATE:
OS: NEES : TEM
DATES
Fr
pemseor,
Staff of the Division of Operational Safety (0S) earlier agreed to as-
sist in obtaining a decision on the question of resettlement of
Bikini Atoll. The logical next step would appear to be a briefing on
progress to date and a concentrated effort to bring about recommendations that can be used to prepare a reply to Secretary Udall's request.
The attached draft memorandum and tentative agenda are a first effort at
planning a series of meetings over a period of several days to bring together the experts who can assist in defining the radiological situation
in Bikini Atoll as determined by past surveys. A further aim is to put
this situation into perspective for the attendees through comparisons with conditions of resettlement of Rongelap, natural background radia-
tion exposures, exposures from past atmospheric testing, and established
guides, Another important consideration regarding perspective is input
from the Trust Territory anthropologist and agriculturist. In our opinion, these two individuals, because of their unique background and
experience, should participate in the briefing and attend the deliberative phases of the meeting.
It is obvious that through this approach we are suggesting a considerable
yn aaonee CentERPm
cooperative effort by a number of individuals in a short time period.
Nevertheless, we believe this to be a more desirable procedure for developing an AEC position than prolonged deliberations. Should the
Department of Interior choose to submit this question to a wider cross
section of scientific opiniofi, they could do so. We have kept the
Federal Radiation Council (FRC) staff informed of our activities, and
they have been alerted to the possibility that AEC or the Department of
Interior may require their assistance.
Although the job that remains to be done has been discussed with some
who have a major role as shown by the draft agénda, these contacts have
been incomplete and informal, and an agreement for the cooperation and
18eSheenaoranges,A Te SI
wn ener +
assistance of each has not yet been obtained. As a first estimate, we
would propose that exposure estimates similar to those developed for FRC
Report No. 4 vy OS and EM staff be prepared for the Bikini situation
3726| 3108] POZ
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