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Department of Energy Associate Director, Biomedical and Environmental Sciences Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830 Reference is made to your note of July 5, 1979, re about coconut plantings at Enewetak Atoll. (David) and Ananij (Bruce)--all are located in the of the atoll; the first three are identified as inhabitable islands. I am not aware that there has ever been a question raised regarding the use of these islands for coconut plantings. To my knowledge, no coconut seedlings have been transported to or planted on the northern islands (Enjebi, Aomon, etc.), although seedlings are being raised in case the decision is made to do so. A decision on this by the Department of Interior (DOI) is being deferred until the Livermore dose assessment is available. A DOI decision is expected on this early in August; postponement of such a decision to later months escalates the costs significantly. I’think that it can reasonably be assumed that the Enewetak people and their Jegal counsel will take the position that the northern islands In summary, the decision to plant coconuts on the southern islands was made some time ago--in fact it is so stated in the Environmental Impact Statement published in April 1975. No DOI decision has been made to date re the planting of the northern islands pending the LLL assessment. This was confirmed with Mrs. Van Cleve, Director of the Office of Territorial Affairs, DOI. r trust this clarifies the current situation. Office of Environment
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P.s. “Sheet piles” are those sheets of metal which were driven into the ground to a depth of up to 30 feet and which encompassed the site of the Aomon crypt. (In fact, buckling of the pilings toward the end limited the depth of the excavation. The pilings interlocked and were made of 3/8” steel, were 18” in width, and varied from 15-30’ in length. The pilings facing the water were left in place; those outlining the other three sides of the crypt were removed and decontaminated for use elsewhere.)
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