-
ATPAC, MENT
DRAFT MEMORANDUM PREPARED 6/28/77
POR THE ATTENTION OF AES
We,
as
concerned citizens
un the ERDA-Marshall
and
scientists participating
Islands Workshop on June
27-29,
2.977,
ave
reviewed the imminent decontamination program for Enevetas
Atoll.
feel
We call your attention the following matters,
that many
aspects of
the proposed program are
since we
economically
and environmentally unaccepvable.
The rationale for removing plutonium-contaminated soil
based on assumptions regarding resusvension of Pu tha: are
validated by empirical data.
Additionally,
is
10t
we question whether
the guidelines which have been established fox SOll removed are
supportable.
However,
we accept that certain contaminted material does
have to be xvemoved and agree that this can be placed under
control
on
Runit
islet.
The present total inventory of plutonium in the terrestrial
environment at Enewetak available for resuspension ana resultant
dose commitment cannot be significantly altered by the proposed
course
of
action.
The removal of soil from Engebi and other islets would cause
a
serious
loss
(humus layer),
of
the
atoll's
most
valuable
terrestrial
which cannot readily be replaced.
The placement of contaminated concrete slurry into
rater does not remove this material
interaction,
rosource
actus
from environmental
since direct occan water connections into the
crater exist;
and present knowledge indicated breakdcwn ana
remobilization of Pu will occur.
We therefore reconmend that the projected soil removal
aspect of the Enewetak
We
recommend
thak vou
cleanup should immediately be reevaluated
reevaluate
specificativ
SOil removal and the Gisposition OF
.
qm
- =
5011225
the basis
for
thal Which 2s vohoven.