and nearby ocean. In addition, both the total inventory and the average concentration level of soil
and debris to be disposed of were well below the limits set by international agreement to which the
U.S. was signatory.
An agreement between DNA and AEC/ERDA negotiated and signed during the summer of 1975
became an important center of controversy in the years that followed. The purpose of the
agreement was"... to define the technical support ERDA is to provide UNA and likewise to define
the support DNA is to provide ERDA and its contractors during the time DNA is actively engaged in
cleanup operations at Enewetak AtolL The determination as to when the DOD cleanup activities
have been successfully completed will be a joint DNA/ERDA decision."
The majority of the
agreement, reproduced on the microfiche (AGREE, 1975), was understood and acceptable to both
sides as written; however, two points were later subject to differing interpretations and became
issues which were not resolved for several years. Specifically these points stated:
In 2.a. ERDA agrees to:
(3) Providing an official ERDA representative(s), without reimbursement by
DNA,
who will be
present on
the atoll during
the cleanup.
The
ERDA
representative will advise the DNA Enewetak Atoll Commander (Cleanup
Project Coordinator) on schedules and procedures and recommend changes
thereto as needed, and provide certification when radiological cleanup meeting
the guidelines established by the AEC (ERDA) in their Task Group Report has
been accomplished." (Underlining added.)
"(4) Performing, with full reimbursement from DNA, radiological support for
the cleanup operation to include (but not limited to): ...(e) Certification, on_an
island-by-island
basis,
when
radiological
established by the AEC/ERDA in
accomplished." (Underlining added)
their
cleanup
Task
meeting
Group
the guidelines
Report
has
been
Resolution of the two issues, reimbursement and certification, will be presented in Sections 2.2.2 and
2.2.6, respectively.
Other
activities
occurring
during
the
wait
for
project
funding
were
accomplished
without
controversy but not necessarily without disagreement. These activities included generation by DNA
and review by ERDA of a radiological plan for cleanup, development by DNA of a concept plan
(CONPLAN,
1976) for the entire cleanup project, and later an operations plan (OPLAN).
AEC/ERDA input to these plans, and review of sections involving ERDA, required numerous plan
drafts and discussion conferences. The controlling document on hand when the mobilization phase of
the cleanup project started was OPLAN 600-77. (OPLAN, 1977.)
2.1.10 Operations Plan (OPLAN 600-77)
Planning for the cleanup and rehabilitation of Enewetak Atoll began in the fall of 1972 and was
allotted a significant effort by DNA during the next four years. Congressional resistance to the
funding requests was not overcome until July 1976, when Congress authorized a one time expenditure
of $20 million to complete the cleanup task. Estimates of actual costs were several times the
funded amount, but the DOD was expected to make up the balance
programmedfor other purposes.
with resources already
A basic concept plan for cleanup and rehabilitation was developed, then modified through a series of
revisions to adjust to the funding stipulations mandated by the Congress. When cleanup funds were
authorized, the concept plan was expanded and refined in a series of planning meetings with the
operations plan, OPLAN 600-77, as the end result; portions relevant to ERDA aspects of the cleanup
are presented in Appendix E,
50