-US DOE ARCHIVES 326 U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION - ACY SDH RG DOE Lssroesan (:DBm) Collection UNITED STATES Box | Folder ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION WASHINGTON 25, D.C. _ _// 5 (C Lass) =3367 _ February 11, 1958 Mr, Anthony T. Lausi Director, Office of Teritories Department of the Interlor Washington 25, D,C, Dear Mr, Lausis: The Atomic Energy Commission, with the concurrence and support of the Department of Defense and with the approval of the President, will conduct a series of nuclear tests which will be known as Operation HARDTACK at the Eniwetok Proving Ground starting in April 1958 and continuing for approximately three to four months, It therefore becomes necessary to reestablish a danger area surrounding the Atolls of Eniwetok and Bikini. After studying the test program, the test conditions, and the weather patterns normally expected during the period the test operation will be conducted, it has been decided to use a danger area like that which was used for Operation REDWING in 1956, except that both the east and west boundaries will be displaced two degrees, or approximately 120 nautical miles, to the west, This new danger area is described in the attached proposed Notice and Chart. We believe that this change will result in a shortened operation, We are very much aware of our responsibilities for insuring tne safety and well-being of the inhabitants of the Marshall islands during these tests. We are again taking every feasible precaution to prevent exposure of these peoples to the hazards of our tests, The measures which were instituted during Operation REDWING and which proved so successful in safeguarding the Marshall Islands people will be augmented on the basis of the eyperience gained during that test series and the technical edvances which have been made since that time, The network of weather observing stations providing information to Joint Task Force SEVEN has been increased and will lead to a Significant improvement in the accuracy of the basic weather data used in the prediction of fallout patterns, Fad-safe stations will be operated at Rongelap Wotho, Ujelang and Utirik, The personnel at these stations will be ready to advise and assist, j ais palcontains information aee meaning of| Sec, 793 208 of Whi at pmee ror ‘bed by law. OPENNET ENTRY } byBaitengaea|isps q orBSP Enter eee By Date: et |Or ae Brenner to an batnecienr‘pore a a : , pa eet ssa oe ae , Te ry Tea FL Ree R

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