Letter to W J Bair, Subject: Advisory Group's Meetings at Enewetak on August 22-24, 1978 (Encl: Report re the Same)

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Department of Energy Manager, Biomedical and Environmental Pacific Northwest Laboratory For your information and records, enclosed are copies of my notes of the Advisory Group’s meetings at Enewetak on August 22-24, 1978, and at Denver on October 3-4, 1978. (I have taken the editorial liberty to modify some of the more colorful language.) Corrections You have already received copies of the following: (1) A preliminary report to Col. Bauchspies given to him on (2) Dr. Bair’s letter and report to Hollister dated September 21, 1978. This is the final report following the preliminary (3)-Dr. Bair’s letter and report to Hollister dated October 23, 1978, following the Denver meeting. Division of Policy Analysis Office of Technology Impacts Office of Environment

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Group members present: Bair, Gilbert, McClellan, Richmond, Templeton, Thompson, Wachholz Other participants: McCraw, Ray, Still, Sanchez, Bauchspies and staff structure doesn’t have direct control over operational activities. through series commanders. 600-77 is controlling authority. I. Clean-up debris falls in 3 categories: Contaminated material to crater (red) Contaminated material to lagoon (yellow) Leave as is (green) II. Reduce surface contamination to 40-80-160 criteria. JTG is sealing some bunkers on Enjebi, rather than removing them (by sealing the entrance to the bunkers, they feel that pace crater (court order to restore contours) Iv l Island Status Some are ready for certification. All others in process of being cleaned-up--except one (Walt) A limiting factor in soil removal is transport across the By 6/1/79 80K yds3 should be moved (originally estimated at Accelerated schedule is maintained by Navy crews working 12-21 hrs/day and by the use of bulk loading techniques.

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Sources of material: (much of it subsurface) No 1/4 hectare exceeds these values(on an average) At the tremie pile soil is screened to remove particles 71-1/2 inches. A permit to dump Pu-contaminated soil into the crater was given by the Corps of Engineers. The tremie operation probably will be the limiting operation. The number of passes needed to reduce soil levels to <40 pCi/g varies according to island. Enjebi: A single pass is enough. Aomon: 24 passes are needed (to obtain a good zero area) A resurvey is made after every pass. The early estimate was 7315 yds3. To date 16,267 yds3 has been cleaned-up. The current estimate is 22,000 yds3. VI. At the May 3-4 meeting at DNA-Headquarters the following items were 1. Convert LCU & LCM for bulk soil hauling.

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2. A plan for the Aomon crypt, considering that: a) Walls collapse when dug to a depth greater than 6 feet. b) Estimates of the depth of the crypt range from c) Retaining walls will have to be built in order to dig out the crypt. d) The channel is 25-30 feet deep. 3. Remove soil >80 pCi/gm from Aomon; this will take it down 4. Remove soil from Enjebi--JTG started at the areas of highest Thus far they are down toA45 pCi/gm. They anticipate the removal of a large soil volume in order to get down to 40 pCi/gm. What is the practical difference between 40 pCi/gm and 5. A plan for the refill of the Pace crater site. 6. Removal of soil from Runit on a noninterference basis. 7. To stockpile contaminated soil on Runit in 3 piles: VII . Roger Ray then discussed the status of each of the islands being Nesting sooty terns are holding up work in the area. Surface contamination levels are highest at the area where there is subsurface contamination.

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Subsurface work may be needed. Other areas of the surface are <40 pCi/~. Bair: Have you looked at how much Sr/Cs has been removed Ray: Have data but haven’t analyzed it. Not doing any Sr-90 work at present. There is no 1/4 hectare >50 pCi/gm. Soil volume estimates are pretty soft. There are subsurface areas at fairly high levels of contaminaTo remove these probably will require the removal of much A good part of the island has been plowed. Bunkers and debris have been removed. These activities result in the Originally there were areas of The island needs a fair amount The island is essentially below 40 pCi/gm. There is a small area at the ground zero site, however. They have gone down to the coral, and the coral itself is not contaminated. Is there silt in the coral? Water samples a few yards from the crypt have the same activity levels as water samples taken further away. There is very little motion or flow out of the crypt at present, as evidenced by dye studies.

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In the short-term there should be no threat because of the crypt, although this can’t be stated with certainty. There are no IMP readings yet. No soil removal will be required. Data is needed only for the verification of the status of There is an air monitor on Lojwa, as there are also in all There are no TRU/Sr/Cs values from the batch plants, screening plant, or stockpiles. Richmond and McClellan: Samples of materials in crater should be taken in case they are ever needed for the record; it would require little additional effort. Ray: Thousands of soil samples have been archived based on their grid location. This procedure has not been changed to make an inventory of the contents of the crater. Precise readings of the remaining contamination of the islands is what is needed and most useful. Advisory Group members present: Bair, Gilbert, McClellan, Richmond, Templeton, Thompson, Wachholz. Others present: Stewart, Still, Ray, Sanchez, Prall, Bauchspies, Bauchspies: Presented demonstration of TV cassette recording capabilities. Discussed the following day’s agenda and itinerary. Accepted as presented. Bair: What about a visit to Japtan? There appears to be no obvious benefit to visiting it. All: Agreed to eliminate Japtan - will fly over instead. Bauchspies: He described the flight pattern and indicated that the pilots and crews are at our disposal.

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Bauchspies: Discussed Bunkers on northern islands. Radiation levels exceeded expectations - primarily ~. Initial readings said bunkers were within ANSI limits for Removed interior of bunkers and sealed the entrance. Resurveyed - 2 exceeded limits on Boken ( Twice ANSI limit). I bunker has 2 hot spots - It might be used as typhoon shelter. (?) 1 sealed and covered on Enjebi. Sanchez: The dose from these bunkers is not worth talking about. Bair: What isotope is present? Sanchez: Probably Sr-90, but this has been arrived at by process of elimination, since there is no gamma; we’re not too sure. Ray: JTG & FDC has a recommendation from DOE that indicates that it’s not a problem to worry about. Monroe agrees with this but with two coveats: 1. Get a concrete expert in. (This was done; he says that the building will stand for a very long time.) 2. Obtain evaluation from the Bair Group. Bauchspies: He doesn’t think it’s a problem but is following the Admirals order to raise it with the Bair Group to ensure that the Group is satisfied. Ray: Says he recommended to ignore it. It is not in excess of soil contamination levels. If his advise is not acceptable to DNA, then DNA should go to DOE with request to involve the Bair Group. DNA should not go to the group directly.

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Sanchez: DNA sandblasted 1/4 inch off the concrete with no reduction in the contamination level; it is well fixed in the concrete. McCraw: There is an advantage in leaving the building stand. Bair: This does not seem to be something to worry about; the DOE advice is okay. Richmond; There is a positive benefit to the people in leaving it However, we should take samples and measurements on the bunkers to find out what’s there and how much is there. Ray should be able to do this easily. Recommends that surface samples and readings be obtained from the bunkers to be left in place, and that these measurements should be archived. Bair: Suggested deferal of discussion of Thursday’s schedule until Advisory Group members present: Bair, Gilbert, McClellan, Richmond, Templeton, Thompson, Wachholz Others present: Bauchspies, Sanchez, Norton, Still, McCraw, Prall, Bauchspies: Concrete chips from the bunkers were analyzed for radioStewart: Preliminary information is that it is almost entirely 90Sr. Bauchspies: We will provide the readings from the bunker measurements. Each of the issues which FCDNA/DOE handed out at the 8/22 briefing was then discussed by Sanchez. (See attached list of issues) 1. Contaminated bunker guidance--resolved per Tuesday’s discussions. 2. Aomon crypt: DNA hopes to excavate it. Perhaps coffer dams (or series of small coffer dams)’can be The material is perhaps 8 ‘ down, with a total TRU concentra-

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DNA plans to remove the debris, at least. Bauchspies: We need radiological guidance. DNA/FC is going to the Pacific Ocean Div of the Corps of Engineers for guidance. The area of the burial crypt is about 250’ x 50’, and is located 28’ from steel pile causeway. The monument is at the center of the crypt. Markers are at the corners. There is some question as to the actual area; perhaps the crYPt is as large as 300’ x 60’. Bauchspies and Sanchez: What guidelines can you give; e.g., What material can be left? How do you The crypt presumably contains, among other things, cut up pieces of the steel tower from the Kickapoo shot. Richmond: Where was the tower placed? Sanchez: Ferrous metal was placed in the crater. Nonferrous metal with readings less than 100 wR/hr. was placed in the lagoon. 3. Soil clean-up criteria - See 4 below. 4. Preciseness of 40-80-160 - Can one be over 40 pCi/gm (e.g., 42, 45, etc.); how flexible are numbers? 5. ‘Cover Lujor - Lujor problem solved after the debris was cleaned-up the surface levels were less than 160 pCi/gm. In removing debris, was the island effectively plowed? Stewart: The island has been re-IMPed, but not yet reprofiled. Preliminary surface readings are below 160 pCi/gm. 6. 4th Category if 160 pCi/gm level cannot be met--pertained to Lujor and is now irrelevant. Are levels between 160--300 pCi/gm useful for anything See (5) above; Lujor now <160. 7. Surface hot spots - minimum areas, levels - What about individual

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What is the minimum area requiring clean-up? Should twice the 1/4 hectare average be cleaned-up or For subsurface contamination, should DNA use the IMP field of To determine areas to excise where the levels are >160 pCi/gm? Is there a significant difference between a 15 cm versus 20 cm This is almost a none-problem. Should DNA P1OW? Under what circumstances? Should hot spots What are trade-offs of resuspension and the inhalation hazard vs depth distribution regarding plant uptake and entrance into Richmond: Keep in mind that the effects of single versus repeated plowing depends upon ultimate land use. Sanchez: Described DOI planting techniques. Island average vs maximum value - What about the BramliEt Bramlitt: Used max.value and island average. Island average is valid. (Family has access to coconuts in a single line cross ng several hectares.) How do we meet EPA guidance? Templeton: LLL indicated at the June meeting that they would take this into account.

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Would it be possible to cut a channel through the island and make 2 islands (i.e., 1 quarantine, 1 not)? Southern Runit (south of runway) is clean compared to the What is the trade-off of cleaning at least a part of Runit vs reducing other islands from 42 pCi/gm to 40 pCi/gm? if-5,000 yds of soil were moved. Can Runit be cleaned-up so as not to be quarantined? A discussion of the probability of Marshallese adhering to There was a discussion of the advisability of permitting the Marshallese access to the post exchange. The Marshallese (4 districts) voted for federation with U.S. (1981). 2 districts want a closer relationship, but they must do this on their own. They prefer the benefits, but wish to avoid the taxes and Advisory Group members present: Bair, Gilbert, McClellan, Richmond, Templeton, Thompson, Wachholz Others present: Still Bair: Request Ray to provide copies of the plowing experiment description. * This description was written by Jones, Univ. of Hawaii; RaY will get copies of text of report of plowing experiment. Technical notes 10.0 and 10.1 from ERSP were distributed.

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Bair: What should we do this PM about providing advice to Bauchspies? Thompson: We should say something, e.g., comment on Jody’s averaging It was agreed that we would provide DNA with a preliminary report, with qualifications, before we leave. Bair will draft. It should be pointed out to DNA that this is not a Committee meeting; three members are not present. Discussion of the points raised by DNA: a) Precise adherence to the ANSI standard is not appropriate in b) There is no point in expending additional effort to reduce the levels of contamination on the bunkers. c) Commend DNA for foresight in cleaning bunker for use in storm. d) Commend DNA for strenuous effort to remove contaminated material from bunkers. f) Leave anchorblocks as is for future reference unless they are navigational hazard. Thompson: The 40-80-160 pCi/gm guidance was not meant to apply to subsurface concentration levels such as in Aomon crypt. General discussion that the Group cannot offer guidance at this time because there is not enough information regarding radionuclides, quantities, etc., and that information data from dye studies should be obtained. Reaffirmation of original guidance--the 40pCi/gm guidance should be the goal. No longer a problem. When IMP readings (based upon 90% of a 25 meter square area) exceed 40 pCi/gm (or 80 or 160), the area should be cleaned-up.

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The 40-80-160 pCi/gm guidance doesn’t apply to subsurface We must give further consideration to the problem, but at present we are unable to provide additional guidance until the data are examined. No longer a problem. Until we receive the results of the plowing experiment, little advice can be given. The Advisory Group shouldn’t do anything regarding Bramlitt until we receive LLL’s opinion. Thompson: Bramitt doesn’t calculate the dose as EPA does, but makes a direct comparison anyway. The Advisory Group should get a copy of the Deal-DOI letter regardThe Advisory Group recommendsthat post-cleanup values be obtained from TRU, Cs and Sr in order to provide a basis for jud~ent b) the return of the people to the northern islands, c) the planting of coconut trees on the northern islands. The people at Japtan should be counted also. Advisory Group members present: Bair, Gilbert, Thompson, Wachholz Others present: Still, McCraw McCraw: Discussed the coconut question. Separation of the oil and meal of the Bikini coconuts will start next week at Majuro. Although the oil is an important product, it is the meal that provides the profit margin.

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Bair: Can you obtain the data and be specific in how we can help? Please put specific request in writing. It’s difficult to deal with the issue at this meeting. The item should be on the agenda for the next meeting. McCraw: Will provide whatever information is available. Considerable discussion took place on the subject of subsurface contaminIs it necessary to define subsurface (e.g., anything below a certain depth, perhaps beyond the depth …