Radiological Survey Plan for the Northern Marshall Islands

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THE NORTHERN MARSHALL ISLANDS PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES SCOPE OF SURVEY E. AERIAL PHOTO AND RADIOLOGICAL F. SURVEY SCHEDULE AND SERIES MAPS DRAFT MEMOWTDLJM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN DEPTS OF THE NAVY, ENERGY, AND INTERIOR VI PUBLIC INFORWTION FALLOUT FROM PACIFIC TESTS

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THE PURPOSE OF THE NORTHERliF’ARSHALLISLAhTS SUR\rEYPROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE A DOCUMESTATIOS OF THE R12AI;;ISG FblDIOACTII’ITyFRO?lNUCLEAR TESTING AND TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DATA FOR AX ASSESS?lESTOF THE RADI.ITIONDOSE TO PEOPLE BEFORE THE TER’IIXATIOXOF THE LTITED NATIONS TRUST AGRE~lEXT. A study has identified 11 atolls and 2 islands as those most likely to have received fallout from one or more nuclear tests conducted at Bikini and Enewetak during the L.S. Pacific testing program. TO SAMPLE ASD }fEASURETHE FLM)IOACTIVI~ 1X SOIL, WATER, PIANT LIFE AND FOOD, ADJACEXT YARIXE WATERS, AND MARINE AXD TERRESTRIAL LIFE, TO PREPARE A REPORT WHICH WILL PRESENT THE FINDINGS OF IHE SURVEY AND AN ASSESSMENT OF THE R4DLATION EOSES TO THE PEOPLE WHO MAY BE LIVING ON THE SURVEYED ATOLLS AND ISLANDS.

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The U.S. nuclear weapons testing program conducted from 1946 to 1958 in the Pacific left long-term radiological contamination and health problems. Bikini and Enewetak Atolls, where the testing was conducted, were the most severely affected, but fallout from these tests has touched many islands in the Northern Marshalls. Of special concern was the heavy fallout from the of the people of March 1954 test which Rongelap and resulted caused radiological injury to many in at least one death for radiation The Department of the Interior (DOI), Department Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), later the Energy Administration (ERDA), and now the Department of of Defense (DOD), and the Research and Development in the steps taken to date to perform radiological surveys and assessments (1?67-1968) and to perform cleanup and rehabilitation of Bikini (1969 to present) and in the radiological survey and assessment of Enewetak Atoll (1972-74). This Enewetak survey utilized the most up-to-date and modern techniques, including the aerial survey of islands utilizing sensitive radiation monitoring equipment carried in helicopters. The DOD began the Enewetak cleanup in FY 1977, with the DOI rehabilitation program initiated during cleanup to take advantage of logistics and communications capabilities attendant to cleanup operations. The DOE has performed followup radiological surveys at Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. It also conducts medical observation of the exposed populations of Rongelap and Utirik Atolls at frequent internals. The Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), is responsible for rehabilitation of the former test sites, Bikini and Enewetak. Phase I of the Bikini program included planting of coconut trees and building 40 homes and other community buildings on Bikini Island. The houses were built along the lagoon shore where the radiation levels were the lowest. In responding to a request from TTPI for

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assistance in locating the second group of ‘houses on Bikini Island, the ERDA recommended that an aerial survey of the type flown at Enewetak be conducted for the entire Bikini Atoll. This survey would provide detailed data including contours of the total external gamma radiation, isotopic content and plutonium in the soil surface. Neither the ERDA nor the DOI had the integrated logistical support system needed for an aerial survey and DOD was requested to supply this. Since DOD would request reimbursement for its support and there was insufficient time to obtain the necessary funding, ERDA conducted a limited ground survey of external radiation levels on Bikini and Eneu Islands in June 197S. The results of this survey showed that the radiation of the interior of Bikini Island was too high for further housing settlements and that future settlements on nearby Eneu Island would minimize radiation exposures. Currently, the Bikini resettlement project is under review. A lawsuit, THE PEOPLE OF BIKINI, ET AL VS. SEAMANS, ET AL, CIVIL NO. 75-348 U.S.D.C., D. Hawaii, alleges that the U.S. Government has not assessed properly the radiological conditions at Bikini and among other things, requests the court to order an aerial survey for Bikini comparable to that conducted at Enewetak. During negotiations with the Department of Justice, the plaintiffs’ legal counsel recognized that the surveys and evaluation of radiological conditions at Bikini Atoll were not as comprehensive as more recent work at Enewetak Atoll, and sought an aerial radiological survey of Bikini and the other northern Marshall Islands. The merits of the aerial survey have been thoroughly discussed at staff levels between DOI, DOD, and DOE both before and after the initiation of the lawsuit. Briefings on the survey were provided to the Administrator of ERDA, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health and Environment), the Department of the Interior, Office of Trust Territories, staff members of O?[B,and the Chairman of the CEQ.

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After obtaining cost estimates for logistics support from the DOD and the technical program from ERDA, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) detemined that the survey would be conducted, and funds for reimbursement of DOD’s logistics support were included in a DOI FY 78 supplement. DOE was directed to absorb the technical program costs. Although the U.N. Trust Territory ASreement with the U.S. is expected to end soon, it is clear that the U.S. will continue to have a vital national interest in the northern Marshalls. Resettlement of Bikini Island has suffered a setback due to radiation exposures significantly exceeding acceptable standards, and the conditional nature under which Enewetak is being resettled, and the need to continue following the health of the Rongelapese, will require radiological monitoring of these people and their environment for the foreseeable future. The aerial survey will be a major part of a standardized data base which will provide information needed for evaluating any future claims for damage or injury. It will contribute to the future monitoring program planned for Bikini, Enewetak, and Rongelap atolls. In addition to Enewetak, Bikini, and Rongelap Atolls, there are eleven other atolls or single islands that received intermediate range fallout from one or more of the megaton range tests. A number of these atolls are presently inhabited while others are used for food collection. During nuclear test operations, there was a limited monitoring program that did not provide anywhere near the coverage that can be obtained with the current aerial survey technology and instrumentation. In addition, there is little or no data on possible plutonium contamination outside of Bikini and Enewetak The proposed aerial suney uses the same equipment and procedures which were successfully employed at Enewetak Atoll in 1972-1973. As documented

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in the lawsuit, the people of Bikini feel they have been short-changed because the U.S. conducted a highly visible, exhaustive radiological survey of Enewetak. The Bikini portion of the aerial survey, coupled with the previous and planned ground surveys, will go a long way toward making the Bikini data base comparable to that of Enewetak. If the aerial survey of the northern Marshalls, including Bikini, is not conducted, the U.S. Government would undoubtedly be precluded from settling the Bikini lawsuit out of court. While there is the expectation of a successful defense of this suit, there is considerable potential for adverse publicity deriving therefrom. The U.S. could also be charged with not taking all prudent steps to assure that there were no individual sources of radiological contamination on islands released from U.S. custody.

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SCOPE OF SURVEY PROGRAM The Radiological Sumey program of the Northern Marshall Islands will cover the following atolls and islands within the time SO. of Islands ~ TO Be Surveyed Total Area (mi. $:The term “Island” is used in this case to denote an isolated island that is not part of an atoll and does not have a lagoon.

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The Northern Marshall Islands Radiological Survey Program organizational relationships are shown on the chart below.

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of all uu~ey operatims will be the responsibility of Manager or him deefgnated xepreeentatlve. The technical directors for the ~errestrial and Marine Program, the .... ., Aerial Radiological Sumey, and the Aerial Photo Sumey till advis@. and eupport the NV Program Manager, and L& full authortty and responsibility for the technical plan. The sumey party im expected to include repreeentativee of: 1, Division of Operational 6 Environmental Safety (OtJ?S),DOE/HQ 3. EG&G, IAM Vegas, Nevada

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WDTOLOGI CAL SURVEY PIAN FOR lHE The Division of Operational and Environmental Safety (02S) is responsible for coordination with the Department of Interior and all Washington level Federal agencies and officials and to provide the technical program guidance to the Nevada Operations Office. The Nevada Operations Office is responsible for administering the technical program and to assure the successful accomplishment of the objectives of the program plan. The technical direction of the sampling program will be carried out by the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLL) supported by personnel from the following organizations, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), University of Washington, and Brookhaven National Laboratory. The technical efforts of the participating organizations will be carried out as a cooperative effort utilizing the skills and resources of its individual members under the direction of LLL. Members of these organizations will collect the necessary samples and perform the necessary measurements. Samples will be collected from atoll soil, water, plant life and food, adjacent marine waters, and marine and terrestrial life. All samples will be analyzed for , the transuranics by wet chemical methods. The analysis of the samples will be undertaken by 9 , and The evaluation of the analytical data will be perfomed by the members of the participating organizations with the technical coordination of the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. The ground radiological surveys of certain atolls will be perfomned under the technical direction of the Lawrence The aerial radiological surveys of the atolls will be performed by EG&G. The estimated time required for completion of the aerial operations is 21 da;s. This period of time includes the time to move operations between atolls as well as to perform the suneys of each atoll but does not include the travel time to and from the Northern Marshall Islands.

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Due to the length of the survey program, the technical personnel will be rotated through three series to maintain maximum efficiency and dedication of effort. Medical personnel will be available at the atoll working areas to provide appropriate medical care of the DOE and con-

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The Terrestrial Program inwlves going onto the inland% Wit%iout a backhoe and sampling the available terrestrial food products, SUfa~e soilt a~d existing water cieterns and slcinrming WC1lC. Transportation of personnel to the ifilanilswill be by helicopter w-hen the w}aler cannot be used. On Iwer islands, a jeep will h necessary to relocate g-, water lxure~f and personnel. Transporting the jeep from ship to iabnd end from i61and w island will have to be accom plishad using the helicopter. On tie avcraqe, 35 surface Boll samples and 50 vegetation samPles will be collected at lach atoll, requiring analysis for and the transuranics of approximately 1,100 ssmples. The assumption that there will be three well sites or cistern: on t.!!cinhabited atolls will require the analysis of an additional 21 detenaine the racl.bnuclideconcentrations in water. seven personnel will be required to Guppcme this program.

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Preparation and Equipment 15 gallon barrels for water land and watsr sampling gear Surface soil and vegetation samples 440.OE— water sample will add 0.4K ta the to-l.

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A Marine Programtill Include the collection of a Sufficient quantity species will be -de only when the whaler can uafely enter the lagoons. As a minlmum~ at Ieaet two (2) representative re=f 8pecies commonly consumed till be collectedfrom five (5) atoll locations at each atoll. Tive to ten larger ~elagic Bpeefes till be taken from only two (2) atolls. Water conjunction with the fish. from the generated data and samples will also be collected in Concentration factore til~ be computed compared to those already available from Enewetak, Bikinf, end Kwsjalein. Only water will be collected at the remaining atone. With the computed concentration factors, the average fish concentrations at the rmalning atolls can be asseneed. This procedure wI1l yield about 180-240 separate fish samples!and approximately 100 water e=ples requfring analysts Trfmeportatfon to the island from the UHEI?HNG All be by hclfcopcer when the whaler cannot be used, Three personnel for lach leg will be required to eupport the prosram. Preparatim and Equipment Insulated shipping containers

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A sumnam of the est~ted costs for the Terrestrial and Water Processing Dislocatlm Pay and Air Travel at a

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AERIAL PHOTO AND F~iDIOLOGICALSL?R\ZYPI?OGM !.. ,. Photographic coverage of all islands of interest in the Northern Marahalls is raquired for *ee w-se~z (1) detailed color fliqlttmaPs of each IsLand at specific scales for usc by the radi8t10n s-ey team (2) specific dati analyais to pxovide a variety of inforruttionabout the islands, and [3) underlays for the radiation Coverage will be ob-ned using present photographic equipment operated for the ~E by EG&G. This equi~cnt is calibrated and adjusted for optimum performance to obtain *gem ~ui-le for as well as the production of photographic print6. Pacific M.isgileTest Center based out of pmmsaing will be aceomp~ished while at photo lab operated by XZN’IWX. me filn Kwajclein. some film Jkijelcin utilizing the obtained for scientific purposes ‘“~-be processed under mntrolled conditions by EG&G in Las Vegast Nevada. Seven EG&G personnel ~e reqadxed to suppor~ the mission which is

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The Aerial RadiationSurveys will be carried out by means of * helicopters SH-3G’S vhfch till fly multfple mfssions from the USS WHEELING station near the atoll m in the lagoons when po6ethle. EG&G will supply the scientific flight crews and technical support personnel to operate and maintain the radiation measuring and position measuring lquipment. The aerial radiation nuzvey ~ploys large arrays of NaI(Tl) sintillatlon detectoro mounted on a helicopter platfom. Gamna radiation data $s accumulated contlauou61y in a 300-channel multichannel analyzer and recorded on magnetic tape obtained from a mlcrwave also recordad on magnetic at an altitude of 100’ on wring the data reduction ranging ayataa and a radar altimeter are tape each second. The aircraft 16 flo~m line spacing of 200’. phase, radiation and position dara are correlated on a.second-by-aecoradbasis exd procesged in the form of radiation contours werlayed on aerial photographs. The radiation data are proceestd to provide total gamma ray ~posute rate and A total of ni.nrn(9) personnel till be required to support the above program for each series.

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AEPSAL PHOTO AND RADIOLOGICAL SURVEY PROGRAM The Norchem Uarshall Island Suwey will be conducted in tw separate phaea~--the photographic suzvey and the Aerial Radiological Sumey. The Navy Project?lanager for coordination and execution of I)OD responsibflitiee for rendertng logistics support to this 6umey in conmander, pacific Mssile Test Center, Pt. Kagu, California. The photographic survey of eleven (11) atolls md tvo (2) islands The platfona has been specifically configured to receive DOE-provided high resolution and tnfrs-red cap8bJe cameras, plus additional peripheral support equipment. The aircraft will be based out of Kwajslein and vill be required to fly 10-12 hours a day for apprnxhately 21 days. 7%{s includes contingencies for veathar and aircraft down time. Utilizing data gathered from the foregoing photographic eu~ey, an Aerial Radiological Survey vIII be conducted of the same atolla and islands by means of two SH-3G helicopters equipped …