eernT
Brig. General Alfred D. Starbird
-3-
Taongi would probably be much less usefull to the DOD for effects
studies than Bikini. ‘The area available and high contamination
probability at Taongi bear out this point.
The Enivetok Planning Board held its first scheduled meeting on
February 26; ani, although formal mimites will mot be immediately
available, representative of this office concluded that the Board
generally agreed that:
ae
Use of Taongi would almost certainly shorten the
operation and probably by ebout three weeks.
2.
From the standpoint of fallout on populated atolls,
3.
Offsetting these advantages are the additional costs
in dollarsg of developing the site; procuring, outfitting, and operating a diagnostic ship; additions,
weather and other operational support.
4.
While the Board agrees that Taongi cannot be considered
5.
The Board reaffirms that an early decision on Taonsi
is necessary.
Teongi is a safer place to fire large shots than
Bikini or Eniwetok.
,
essential, its use would be advantageous.
These conciusions were the result of at least six hours o: extensive
deliberation by the Board.
Permanentizing Site Nan:
Any development of @ permanent base camp at Site Nan should not
be predicated on Taongi operations. Rather, this is premised on
the separate real estate operations concept. There is good
reasoning in the UCRL-LASL desire to separate their operations,
indeed, as their laboratories are separate. Operational efficiency
anf elimination of conflicting interests in site and ares utilization would result. We therefore suggest that this subject be
ecnsidered as separate ané apart from the Taongi proposal.
Diagnostic Ship:
It is our ppinion that the @iagnostic ship should be acquired and
oontrolled by the AEC.
There should be mo strings on making
(continued )
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LANL R¢ oF