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RADIOLOGICAL CLEANUP OF ENEWETAK ATOLL
the rehabilitation and resettlement efforts. In January 1973, DNA engagey
H&Nto develop a DEIS.98
The NEPA requiresutilization of a systematic interdisciplinary approach
which insures integrated use of the natural and social sciences in Planning
and decision-making. To satisfy this requirement, extensive information
was needed on the condition oftheatoll, social and economic backgroung
of the people, plans for future use ofthe atoll and, aboveall, guidelines o,
the cleanup and disposition of radiological contamination. Some of this
information was available in the Enewetak Engineering Study; howeve,
muchof the material was just then being developed in the MasterPlan, the
Enewetak Radiological Survey, and the AEC Task Group Reportang
would not be available for more than 18 months. Meanwhile, there wag
pressure to provide plans and cost estimates for MILCON program
authorization and appropriation requests. In response to these pressures, a
preliminary DEIS was prepared, based on the best available, albei
incomplete, information. Thus, when this preliminary DEIS was circulateq
to the participating federal agencies for review in April 1974,99 it did not
reflect an approvedposition on radiation exposures and cleanup guidelines
(since the AEC position had not yet been defined). Rather,it containeg
alternative solutions developed to show minimum and maximum required
resources. Someof the information in the preliminary DEIS concerning
potential impacts was quite controversial. The Director, DNA had planned
to publish the formal DEIS for commentby 15 May 1974 andthe-final EIS
on 15 September 1974.100 As a result of the critical nature of some
comments on the preliminary DEIS and the concern over public
acceptance of the concepts, publication of the formal DEIS wasdelayed
until approved radiological guidelines were available on 16 August 1974,
Instead of 1S May 1974, it was 7 September 1974 before the formal DEIS
was issued for public review and comment.!01
The DEIS consisted of three volumes. VolumeI included a review of
the radiological and physical condition of the atoll and described several
cleanup and habitation alternatives, an evaluation of their effects, a
selection of a preferred cleanup operation, and a proposed rehabilitation
and resettlement plan. Volume II contained extracts from related
reference documents, including the 1972 Enewetak Radiological Survey
and the 1973 Master Plan for Rehabilitation and Resettlement, plus
calculations and other supporting data. Volume III was a resumeofthe
DEIS in the Marshallese language and direct retranslation of that resume
into English. !92
The approach taken in the DEIS wastoidentify all reasonable courses of
action, evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each, andarrive at
the safest and most effective solution. The AEC had established
recommendedguidelines for use in the radiological cleanup (Figure2-l).