3
ENEWETAK ATOLL
:, a gauge was fabricated.
teeth 18 inches long.
le forms before a section
ction to the other. This
) that any depressions or
ter several sections had
re turning out to be over
vas being used than was
if the compaction of the
€ poured in each section
to fill the form. To
ige were cut to 16-1/2
d findings, subsequent
»th thicker and thinner,
MENT
~in the project began to
), The USAE had been
'§ to removethelast of
-crosse Crater. Though
iously and foundto be
Was removed from the
sed that some of the
crater containment). It
this small quantity of
e the fact that capping
2re to be madein the
iS was to be placed and
is would comply with
$s placed inside the cap
‘ the surrounding soil
sction. Consequently,
ated metallic debris
ss than 18 inches of
3 placed in the bottom
ng would be highly
4tain the material and
shield, completely
ete appeared to be in
te structure. These
Runit (Yvonne) Cleanup and Crater Containment
465
conclusions were later validated by an on-site inspection by
representatives of the Army Chief of Engineers, who concluded that the
placementof metallic debris in some cap sections was ‘“‘not detrimental to
the adequacy of the concrete dome cap to provide the erosion protection
intended.’’!31 Approximately 30-40 cubic yards of debris were contained
in this manner, in and under the cap sections.
As the USAE mobilized more of its forces to complete policing of the
debris on the ocean reef, the seasonal recession of the beaches revealed
more and more debris, much of it proving to be red when monitored by
the FRST. It was concluded from aerial and surface reconnaissance thatfar
more red debris was being found than could be accommodated in the
dome. !32,133 It was at this point that Field Command and HQ DNA first
heard that red debris was actually going into the cap sections. The CJTG
was directed to cease all such debris encapsulation in the cap sections. He
was advised that further guidance would be provided on the method to be
used for disposal.
POD was consulted and sent a representative to the atoll to study the
problem. After on-site conferences with the JTG and USAE, a proposal
was madeto adda small extension to the containment facility on the island
side (Figure 8-50).!34 This antechamber was to be constructed adjacent to
the keywall with the same design specifications as the existing facility. The
contaminated debris would be placed in the antechamber and choked with
clean concrete slurry. An 18-inch cap would be placed on the chamberasin
the dome cap construction.
The 7 September 1979 Field Commandproposal to DNA was approved
for execution on 17 September 1979, and the JTG tasked the USAEto
construct the antechamber. Work began on 19 September on a 20-by-60foot addition at the keywall (Figure 8-51). Aside from problemsrelated to
the water table, the work was completed without mishap. Complete
sweeps of Runit and its reefs yielded approximately 120 cubic yards of
contaminated debris, which were disposed of in the extension before it was
sealed and capped. !35
As the winter equinox approached, the beaches continued to recede.
Two monthsafter all capping operations were completed, more debris was
exposed which, based on percentages in the previous Runit discoveries,
could be expected to contain a substantial amount of contaminated
material. The first indications were passed to Field Commandby the JTG
on 17 November 1979 in a report on seven pieces of red debris.!36 The
CITG recommended several alternative methods of disposal and
requested disposition instructions. While awaiting disposition instructions,
the stockpile of red debris continued to grow. By 1 December, about 4
cubic yards had accumulated. After considering proposals to seal the debris
in drums and ship them to Johnston Island, leave them in place, or place
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