The Enewetak Rehabilitation Program
515
The May 1978 resolution requested relocation of the Enewetak
Community Center to the vicinity of Buildings 15 and 16, removal of 20
buildings and slabs previously designated to remain, and retention of all
slabs within 100 feet of the lagoon. It requested that portable benjos of the
pit privy type be substituted for the concrete benjoswith septic tanks, since
there would be no provisionsfor maintaining septic tank systems following
resettlement. The council also requested that aluminum-clad buildings be
dismantled carefully by cleanup forces to conserve the aluminum sheeting
for the dri-Enewetak.30
While the dri-Enewetak were deliberating, site preparation work was
underway. Asphalt taxiways and concrete slabs were removed, and the
residue was stockpiled for placement at the endsof the islands to protect
the shorelines. The aggregate and sand bases of the taxiways were
stockpiled for use in subsequent concrete construction. Work proceeded
on rebuilding the main pier at Medren, on water catchmentsystems, and
on quarrying and crushing rock to be used in construction of the houses.3!
CONSTRUCTION: 1978 - 1980
Construction of seven model homes on EnewetakIsland began on 19
July 1978.32 Two weeks later, members of the Planning Council returned
for more deliberations on land boundaries,33 and a formal groundbreaking ceremony was conductedby the twoiroijs, the council members,
and the Joint Task Group Commander (Figure 10-9).
The houses constructed by AIC-Pacific at Enewetak Atoll are modular
reinforced concrete structures, fabricated at the homesite using the W-
panel system. The panel is a welded steel wire three-dimensional frame, 4
feet by 8 feet by 2 inches thick (Figure 10-10). The center of the panel has
a l-inch-thick plastic foam core, with the wire framework exposed
approximately one-half inch from eachface of the core. The panels are cut,
set in place and wired together by hand. Adjoining foam edges are sealed
with a bead of mastic. The structure is then coated with a l-inch-thick layer
of Portland cement plaster on both sides, using spray guns or hand
trowels. This coating completes the composite of reinforcing wire, foam
core, and cement plaster.34 Roofs were constructed using the same
procedure, providing sufficient insulation to preclude the need for
additional ceilings. Figures 10-11 through 10-18 illustrate the basic
construction of these houses.
Painting, plumbing, and theinstallation of louvered doors and windows
were accomplished to complete the houses. Figures 10-19 through 10-21
depict some of the completed houses. A total of 116 houses were
constructed on Enewetak, Medren, and Japtan between 19 July 1978 and