Document text
Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.
Page 1
I ADDRESS REPLY TO DEFENSE ATOMIC SUPPORT AGENCY THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE THE SECRETARY OF INTERIOR CHAIRMAN, ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION Status Report, Cleanup of Bikini Atoll 1. Reference is made to Director, DASA memorandum of 2 May 1969 to Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Interior and Chairman, -AEC, subject: “Status Report, Cleanup of Bikini Atoll,” which was the initial status report on the joint DOD-AEC cleanup of Bikini Atoll, covering the situation through end-April. This report covers the status as of 2. As of 30 Ju,ne the island work force has increased to 74 men, including 11 Bikini natives who arrived in early June. Funds for continuing the Bikini project into FY 1970 have been provided under { the Joint Congressional Continuing Resolution. Fund estimates above the $600,000 provided by DOD and AEC in FY 1969 continue to be 3. Cleanup work continues to progress satisfactorily, and is estimated to be approximately 5(7j0completed. A significant part of the task consists of control measures for the heavy vegetation which has overgrown prospective agricultural areas. Bulldozers are crushing parallel swaths, normal to the direction of the tradewinds, throughout the overgrown areas, to permit coconut and crop planting while providing protection against wind and storm erosion of the topsoil. (The agricultural plantings are not part of the cleanup task and will be done under supervision of the Department of Interior and the Trust Territory Government.) Originally planned only for the islands of Bikini and Enyu, extension to certain smaller islands is being considered. Work on the windrows on Bikini Island has been
Page 2
i. SUBJECT : Second Status Report,c Cleanup of Bikini Atoll ! 4. On 19 May USS COLONIAL (LSD-18) delivered three LCMS and one picket i boat to the Bikini Task Group. With the addition of these craft the boat group now totals 5 LCMs, 1 LCU, and a picket boat; this increase will facilitate both interisland access for cleanup work, and dumping, at sea debris which requires this disposition. ~ 5. The AEC-DOD cleanup phase, including both on-island work and: l i withdrawal of the Task Group,; should be completed by 15 October 1969. i Progress to date indicates that early actions will be needed in certains These include establishment of specific written #f criteria for determination that cleanup work has been completed to j the agreed satisfaction of all concerned; I arrangements for the support / of the remaining work force when the DASA Task Group is withdrawn; I and certification by the AEC that all islands are radiologically safe, Each of these will be the subject of separate correspondence with the OSD Gen Counsel Nat See Div, BOB (Fiscal Matters)