C*\
UNITED STATES
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
Cc.
ot
9 Fee
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20545
Aug 101972
Captain Gay Whe
Chairman Schlesinger
carrson
Sere
pp
Commissioner Ramey
Commissioner Larson
Commissioner Doub
Commissioner Ray
THRU:
Cin Gm inte.C0
,
Cur hactiever
Major Fava
*
Major Cotner
1
FicaneFe
General Manager
pur. Little
ove woten/
AEC-DOD SURVEY AT ENIWETOK ATOLLA/\) Q. CQeno AUG 11 1972
During the period July 26, 1972, to August 2, 1972, a joint AEC-DOD team
visited Eniwetok Atoll to conduct a survey of those portions of Runit
Island which are to be used for a PACE cratering experiment. A thorough
radiolcsical survey was made of that portion of the island which will be
disturbed by this experiment.
Soil samples were taken in the expected
crater area. In addition, a survey for plutonium particles was made
along the access road and 22 locations were identified as potential
sites for plutonium debris. The results of this survey will be used to
determine the precautions required for conducting the PACE experiment as
planned, or the necessity for relocating the experiment scheduled for
Runit Island.
Along the ocean reef of Runit there is a very large quantity of scrap
metal debris covered with water to various depths depending on the tide.
This debris resulted from the tests on Runit. Some of it was blown
onto the reef by these tests.
Some was pushed onto the reef during
cleanup operations in preparation for other tests. Much of the debris
is metal scrap remaining from the complex diagnostic experiments conducted
during the LACROSSE event, which was a surface burst. A spot check of
one pile indicated that the debris is contaminated to levels that would
require removal in a subsequent cleanup operation. Experience with
similar scrap at Bikini suggests that materials blown onto the reef will
also be contaminated.
'
It is expected that the quarantine on Runit will remain in effect until
AEC and DOD have reached agreement on the plans and precautions that are
needed.
The PACE staff is drafting a report,
for AEC consideration, of
the survey and remedial actions necessary to continue the PACE experiment
on Runit.
US DOE ARCHIVES
- 826 U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY
Collection
Box
‘
’
S
Folder_&adadog wal
.
Sur vey
;