Memo to Chairman Atomic Energy Commission, Subject: Fourth Status Report, Cleanup of Bikini Atoll

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY DEFENSE ATOMIC SUPPORT AGENCY MEMORANDUM FOR: jJTHE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE THE SECRETARY OF INTERIOR ' Chairman, atomic energy commission SUBJECT: Fourth Status Report, Cleanup of Bikini Atoll 1. Reference is made to Director, DASA memoranda of 2. May, 1 July and 6‘August 1969 to the above addressees, subject: "Status Report, . Cleanup of Bikini Atoll, ,l which reported the situation through 31 July ' 2, On 19-20 August 1969 the AEC-DOD Bikini Cleanup Project Manager’ (Director DASA), the High Commissioner of the Trust Territory, and representatives of the AEC made an inspection visit to Bikini Atoll. 3. The cleanup work is proceeding satisfactorily, and is expected to be completed by about 26 September. The island work force numbers 66 men; nine Bikinians are included. 4. The AEC has completed radiation surveys of all islands in the atoll, and is preparing the final documents required for certification of radio logical safety. In general, it is expected that these will show that the islands of principal interest for’permanent inhabitation are completely ■ safe for that usage, as are a number of additional outlying islands (back ground radiation levels actually lower than in many areas of the U. S.). Some areas in certain of the outlying islands,, though safe for intermittent entry and use, are not safe for permanent inhabitation. (It is understood that in pre-test years none of the areas now in this category were perma nently inhabited. ) All discrete physical objects showing significant radia tion, such as items of debris, have been or will be removed; the source of the residual radiation is nuclides distributed, for example, in the soil. Thus it appears that the AEC should continue periodic monitoring of the areas not yet fully safe, to observe or confirm the expected radiation decay to fully safe levels, Department of Energy |* US DOE ARCHIVES best AVAILABLE copy

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BEST AVAILABLE COPY -- -— SUBJECT: Fourth Status Report, Cleanup of Bikini Atoll ; 5. In preparation for their phase of the resettlement program, the Trust . Territory Government has delivered some 18, 000 seed coconuts to ; ~ Bikini Atoll, and the Bikinians have established a sprouting nursery on . ! ' 6. Plans for withdrawal of the Bikini Task Group prior to 1 October 1969 are proceeding satisfactorily. First equipment is expected to leave the j atoll about 21 September. Sea lift for other Bikini equipment back to f normal bases has not yet been confirmed, but liaison with CINCPACFLT ‘ able. If necessary, and as a last resort, IvlSTS lift will be scheduled. : 7, In accordance with Secretary of Defense message 082324Z August . 1969, Director, DASA is coordinating DOD requirements for residual ■ land sites at Bikini Atoll with the Services, Department of Interior, Trust Territory Government and the Secretary of Navy. To date, the Army and Navy have indicated that they have no such requirements. After Air Force sites, if any, are known and the Cleanup Task Group have withdrawn, the Secretary of the Navy will be advised that the exclusive occupancy of Bikini Atoll can be terminated. Separate correspondence Vice Admiral, USN OSD Gen Counsel l ar- Sec Div, BOB (Fiscal Matters), ARCHIVES BEST • AVAILABLE COPY 7