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Declassified record · U.S. Department of Energy

Letter to Chairman Schlesinger, Et Al, Subject: AEC-DOD Survey at Eniwetok Atoll

Dated
Aug 10, 1972
Document type
Correspondence
Length
2 pages
Open the original scanArchive record OSTI ID 16023163 · public domain

Document text

Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.

Page 1

During the pcrimi .Tuly 26, 1972, to /Luz~st 2, 1972, a joint AEC-I)OD team visited Eriiwetok Atoll to conduct a survey of those portions of Runir Island which are to he used for a PAZE cratering experiment. A thozough rad?olc~ic?.1 survey was mzde of that portion of the island which wil-1 b? 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 rozd and 22 locations were idei~tified as potential sites for plutonium debris. The results of this survey will he used to determine the precautions required for conductin~ the FACE experiment as planned, or tl~enecessity for relocating the experiment scheduled for Along the ocean reef of Runit there is a very large quantity of scrap metal debris covered with water to various depths depending on t>,etide. 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 rmaining from the complex dia~nostic experiments conducted during the LACROSSE event, which was a surface burst. A spot check of one pile indicated that the aebris is contaminated to levels that would require Yemoval in a subsequent cleanup operation. Experience with similar scrap at I?illinisuggests 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

Page 2

This mmmmduni has been coordinated with the Assistant General Manager for I!ikttary Application. Martin B. Biles, Director Division of Oper~tioilal Safety