411469 SUMMARY RESULTS OF ENEWETAK/BIKINI ATOLL VISITS September 1974 DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PEOPLE" On August 12, 1974, the Commission considered aad approvea recommendations contained in SHCY 75-61 for cleanup and rehnaoci:itation of Enewetax Atoli anc iastructed the staff to obtain comments irs the Enewetak peopie. Ouring the week of September 2, 1974, staff of the Defense Nuciear Agency (DNA), Department of the interior ed, and the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), met with the Eneweta people and their advisors at Enewetak Atoll. The AEC recommendations were presented to the Enewetak Council, their advisors, members of the Congress of Micronesia, and staff of the Trust Territory of the Pacific islands (TTPI).. The DNA submitted a Draft Environmental Imsact Statement (DEIS) which contains the AEC recommendations as the sreferred option. During the series of meetings, there was ample opportunity for questions. Additional information was presented on radiation standards and their application to the scadioiopvicai conditions ieading to the recommendation that Hajeni not be reseitlea act this time. AHC staff were asked woen tfnapebi woula secome naviiable again. The staff responded that a precise estimate was not DoSsivbie acw, that natural decay would reduce the radioactivity in tne soil ana plants to acceptawle levels in 30 years, and that AEC woulda be studying the rate of reduction of radioactivity in the eaviroameat and within five years snould have a better answer to tne question. Toere was aae abour nowthe Entebi peowre were to De accommoenied thih they. om ceenatr to their isiaa A DOL representative said a’ Lalis Soa: ue wo cioer: cay’ ey coin rorneyer mer ke pe ople and ciao io WAS noped an agrecmene woule 22 reacnea vorniutting the HEnjeti geome to live in the seutherna isiands. Tne snjebi neople are conceaes that their houses may be coastructed on southern isiands they Go sot cwn and that the houses couid not later o¢ moved to Enjebi. Representasives of AmC, DONA, and DOI, the District Adminiscrator oi the Marshall Islanas, and the Haewetak Council and their legai advisors discussed the announced plan for 50 people to return to Japtan Island vrior to cleanup. On July 18, 1974, DOI was advised that while there was no contamiaation on Jagtan island, ABC does not recommend return ot people before cieanup and certiiication oecause Of a mumoer OF Hazardous conditions xnown to exist in other BEST COPY AVAILABLE