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The most ir,portar.tcements on this draft for DOS to present torments plus others of lesser i~pact are nresented in tlhe enclosed staff review. BEST COPY AVAIMBLE
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development of the soil cleanup criteria, i.e., the transuranlun elenents in soil, not just ?u-2S9, 2!0, and usin~ a conservative application of Federal of thes~ long-lived alpha emitters was not stressed in the M2C Task Group’s report and tinereport used the This point was cleared up in discussions with D!~Astaff. The radiological criteria recommended for plannii~~ purposes for evaluation of land use options were based on a conservative application of Federal standards. These have not changed. Also, criteria recorxwnded by AW for soil cleanup were not chanced by EPA’ s issuance of proposed guidelines for transuranim elenents in soil. It is expected that cleanup of soil according to AES criteria will meet the EPA guidelines. Further interpretation of the application of the 40 to been left by the Task Group for a later cieterrcnation, was done when requested by DHA. However, there was no change in the basic criteria. The onfi~cl?anCehas been DOE’s recommendation that certain islands in the nortkeast of the Atoll that were to be planted with coconut, not be planted. This reconnendation was based upon very recent experience at 3ikini Atoll. 3* Health considerations, and the associated assessments of radiological conditions of islands, the application of tions, xnusttalkeprecedence over the people’s preferences in decisions on land use. While we support the full ~articipation of the Lnewetak people and their advisors m decisionxaking, it would be a ndstake to Cive the impression that they vill decide where they will live and where their food will be ~rown. If instead of a cood level of cooperation, we must assume little or no adherence to MS and the agreement that the people nay be returned safely are voided. The Enewetak Atoll Easter plan contains the people’s preferences re:arding land use, but the actual use will depend on the degree of soil cleanup actually achieved on various islands and on a staterccnt of ?ernissible land. -wa:e issued by DOE in the final
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on an assessment of radiolo~ical conditions at the end of cleanup. The GAO report can perform a valuable service if it clarifies these points. k. It is recommended that the GAO report be revised to delete statements concerning enforcement of restrictions and instead stress the positive aspects of this project where many parties are cooperating in a long and difficult task that pushes the linits of technology and where there is no applicable precedence. Statements that DOFIhas changed the cleanup criteria and made it more stringent, thereby makins cleanup pore difficult and expensive, should be deleted. 5. DOE would welcone an Independent assessment of the ]>.d5--- logical support that has been provided to DNA md DLL in their cleanup and rehabilitation activities at Mewetak Atoll and of DOE’S plans to provide needed followup in the future, and we offer our full cooperation. Division of Operational and
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