David I. Goldman Ruth R. Harris Laura J. Kells
5721 Randolph Road Rockville, Maryland 20852
Under Contract No. DE-AC08-87 NIO594
APPENDIX A - SECTIONS OF THE COFA APPENDIX C - LIST OF GROUPS INVOLVED WITH MARSHALL ISLANDS DEVELOPMENT
This draft chronology presents the historical record of events relating
to the Department of Energy/Energy Research and Development Administration/Atomic
Energy Commission (DOE/ERDA/AEC) medical, environmental, and radiological
safety activities in the Marshall Islands from 1946 to 1990. Among the
milestones included are agreements between the Marshallese and the United
States, particularly those involving the DOE and its predecessors; relocation
and resettlement efforts; legal responsibilities assumed by the AEC,
the ERDA, and the DOE; administration of U.S. government activities
in the islands; medical findings; environmental studies; radiation safety
criteria applied in the Marshalls and in the U.S.; and U.S. nuclear
testing activities in the region. In order to facilitate use of the chronology by those interested in a particular aspect of developments in the Marshall Islands, we have assigned each entry one or more topical headings from the following list:
By selecting only those entries under a specific heading, one can
follow more directly the story of any area of particular interest, such
as the DOE medical program, government policy, or legal responsibility. In developing this chronology, History Associates searched 1) records
in the DOE Archives in Germantown, including the AEC Secretariat files,
Division of Biology and Medicine files, the Joe Deal and Tommy McCraw
collections, as well as a number of other collections; 2) records held
by Environment, Safety, and Health (EH), including the files turned
over by John Rudolph (DP) and by Management (AD); 3) files from the
Nevada Operations Office made available to us by Harry Brown; 4) Joint
Committee on Atomic Energy (JCAE) records at the National Archives;
5) the document collection at the Coordination and Information Center
in Las Vegas, Nevada; 5) U.S. Statutes at Large and 6) Executive
Orders of the President. The Department of Energy History Division researched the DOE Executive
Secretariat files. Mr. L. Joe Deal and Mr. Roger Ray made available
to us documentary materials from their personal files. It was not possible in the time available to do an exhaustive search
of DOE/ERDA/AEC records, although we believe that major developments
involving the agency have been covered. No effort was made, with the
constraints of time and funds, to examine records from other agencies
involved in the Marshall Islands except as documents from these agencies
were found in DOE files. For the chronology to be complete, we suggest
searching at the very least, the records of the Departments of the Interior,
State, and Defense relating to the history of U.S. involvement in the
Marshall Islands. Appendices have been included to assist the user of the chronology
a summary of the terms of the Compact of Free Association and of its
implementing agreement of relevance to the DOE, lists of officials and
groups concerned with the administration of the Marshall islands, a
list of abbreviations and acronyms used in the chronology, and a series
of maps showing the Marshall Islands and the individual atolls affected
by nuclear testing. Also included are a map of U.S. Navy ship positions
after Castle Bravo and a map showing relocations of the
Marshallese through May 1954. Copies of the cited documents have been provided. The documents are identified by alphanumeric designations, which are included in brackets following the citation in the endnote. When the relevant information is contained in one part of a larger document, the cited information has been indicated with a dark line in the left margin of the document. Low-lying coral atolls and islands scattered over some 180,000 square
miles of the Pacific Ocean, the Marshall Islands have been home for
the Marshallese people for over 2000 years. In recent times the situation
of the Marshall Islanders has captured world attention because of the
effects of United States nuclear weapon testing in the Marshall islands. Although the Spanish navigator Alvaro Saavedra sighted the Marshalls
in 1529, westerners showed interest in the Marshalls only after British
naval captains explored some of these islands in the eighteenth century
The British named the islands after one of those exploring naval captains.
As a result of agreements with island chiefs and Great Britain, Germany
established a protectorate over the Marshalls in 1886. Japan seized
the islands during World War I and in 1920 received a League of Nations
mandate to administer them. Japanese troops used the islands during
World War II until 1944 when United States troops ousted them and occupied
the Marshall Islands. Meanwhile, during the final months of World War II United States and
Allied scientists successfully developed the atomic bomb, which the
U.S. used against Japan. After the war ended, the United States sought
a remote area with accessible ports and land for installations to test
atomic weapons. In 1946 U.S. officials selected the Marshall Islands'
Bikini Atoll and obtained the consent of the Bikini chief to relocate
his people elsewhere. The United States subsequently conducted two nuclear
weapon tests at Bikini in July 1946. In 1947 the United Nations designated
the United States as administrator of the Trust Territory of the Pacific
Islands, which included the Marshalls. The trust agreement permitted the U.S. to close off the Marshall Islands
for security reasons. Subsequently, the United States expanded its weapon
testing area, which the government named the Pacific Proving Grounds.
After reaching an accord with the Enewetak people and relocating them,
the U.S. used Enewetak for nuclear weapon testing in 1948, 1951, and
1952. The U.S. nuclear weapon testing task force returned to Bikini
for the 1954 Castle series. The first shot of the Castle
series produced such extensive radioactive fallout that a third Marshallese
group, the Rongelapese, was evacuated from its contaminated home island
and relocated for several years. After Castle Bravo the Marshall islanders petitioned the United
Nations to stop the nuclear testing in their territory or, if the testing
was essential, to exercise all precautions to safeguard the inhabitants
and their possessions. The U.S. continued to test at Bikini and Enewetak
in 1954, 1956, and 1958. By October 31, 1958, the U.S. had tested 66
nuclear devices in the Marshall Islands since 1946. Since Castle Bravo the U.S. has conducted medical, environmental,
and radiological safety activities in the Marshall Islands and has cared
for inhabitants suffering from conditions, including thyroid cancer,
resulting from exposure to the Castle Bravo fallout. The U.S.
government also has continued radiological surveys of the Marshalls
and has mounted cleanup activities to make contaminated areas habitable.
In the meantime, the Bikini people have been relocated several times.
In 1980 the Enewetak people returned to their atoll, but insufficient
food caused 100 of them to leave a year later. The Rongelapese, resettled
in Rongelap Island in 1957, moved away from Rongelap in 1985 because
of fear of contamination from living on Rongelap Island. In the 1980s the U.S. and the Republic of the Marshall islands negotiated
a series of agreements connected to the "Compact of Free Association,"
signed into law in the U.S. on January 14, 1986. Portions of the Compact
and agreements require the Department of Energy to fulfill certain obligations
to the Marshallese. Since 1947 the AEC, ERDA, and the DOE have been responsible for numerous
safety and health activities related to the Marshall Islands affected
by nuclear testing. In 1990 DOE Secretary James D. Watkins designated
the DOE Office of Health as the unit responsible for the DOE share of
Marshall Islands programs. To assist it in carrying out these duties,
the Office of Health subsequently requested History Associates to prepare
a chronology on activities connected with the nuclear test activities
in the Marshall Islands.
Jan 1944 - Feb 1944 ADMINISTRATION LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY The Marshall Islands, administered by Japan since the end of World War I, fall to the United States military forces during the Pacific war. (1)
02 Mar 1944 AGREEMENT The government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (T.T.) conveys to the U. S. Government the exclusive fight to the use and occupancy of Enewetak Atoll for an indefinite period of time for "the sum of ten dollars." (This 1944 date is used in this chronology because the date probably refers to the first agreement negotiated between a Marshall Islands leader and a U.S. representative, probably military. The first paragraph of this document identifies the date of the agreement as that of 2 March 1944, but this particular document was drawn up later, probably in 1957. The term "Trust Territory," was not used in 1944 for the Marshall islands and the signers were officials in 1957, not 1944. Subsequent language and signers of the document also indicate the agreement was written later. This agreement was recorded in the Marshall Islands District Record Book 1, pp. 5, 6, and 7, on June 20, 1957.) (2)
Jan 1946 WEAPONS TESTING U.S. officials select Bikini Atoll for the first U.S. nuclear weapon tests in the Pacific. (3)
Feb 1946 AGREEMENT RELOCATION The military governor of the Marshall Islands obtains the consent of a Bikini chief to relocate his people so that Bikini can be used for nuclear weapon tests. (4)
07 Mar 1946 RELOCATION The U.S. Navy evacuates Bikini Atoll inhabitants to Rongerik Atoll. (5)
May 1946 RELOCATION Residents of Enewetak are moved to Meck Island in Kwajalein Atoll, and the Rongelap and Wotho people are evacuated to Lae Atoll for the duration of the Bikini tests. (6)
01 Jul 1946 , 25 Jul 1946 WEAPONS TESTING The United States detonates two nuclear weapons at Bikini in Operation Crossroads. (7)
01 Aug 1946 ADMINISTRATION President Harry S. Truman signs the Atomic Energy Act creating the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). (8)
01 Jan 1947 ADMINISTRATION The Manhattan Engineer District, responsible for developing the atomic
bomb, transfers atomic energy work to the AEC. 02 Apr 1947 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY The United Nations (UN) Security Council designates the United States as administering authority of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (T.T.), including the Marshall Islands. Article 5 entitles the United States to establish naval, military, and air bases and to erect fortifications in the territory. Article 6 obliges the United States to Promote the economic advancement and self-sufficiency of the inhabitants ... regulate the use of natural resources; encourage the development of fisheries, agriculture, and industries; protect the inhabitants against the loss of their lands and resources ... [and] protect the health of the inhabitants ... Article 13 recognizes the authority of the administrator to close areas for security reasons. (9)
18 Jul 1947 ADMINISTRATION President Truman approves the Territory of the Pacific Islands trusteeship agreement between the United States and the UN Security Council and delegates administration of the Pacific Trust Territory to the Navy on an interim basis. (10)
Aug 1947 MEDICAL RELOCATION An official investigating board recommends removal of the Bikini Islanders from Rongerik because of insufficient food and water. (11)
20 Nov 1947 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY RELOCATION WEAPONS TESTING AEC Chairman David E. Lilienthal informs President Truman that the use of Enewetak for nuclear testing will require the evacuation of 145 natives. According to Lilienthal, to meet U.S. Obligations under the Trusteeship Agreement, the U.S. government will accord normal constitutional rights of citizens to the Enewetakese but will treat them as U.S. wards; will keep displacement to the minimum required for their safety; will resettle the Enewetakese according to agreements reached with them; and will provide adequately for their well-being in their new locations. Lilienthal states that the AEC and the Secretary of Defense will apprise the State Department that during weapon testing at Enewetak the U.S. will not subject T.T. inhabitants "to perceptibly greater danger than, say, the people of the United States."(12)
25 Nov 1947 RELOCATION WEAPONS TESTING President Truman signs a directive for the removal of Natives from Enewetak. Secretary of Defense Robert S. Lovett recommends that the forthcoming news release on the selection of a proving ground at Enewetak ought to mention that the natives are not now living in any historic home but instead on islands to which U.S. forces moved them during World War II. (13)
01 Dec 1947 RELOCATION WEAPONS TESTING The AEC announces the selection of Enewetak Atoll as a site for proving grounds because it has the fewest inhabitants to care for and is isolated. The U.S. government will transfer the Enewetak inhabitants to sites they will select and will reimburse them for the lands utilized. The AEC explains that the establishment of these proving grounds is necessary to provide a suitable area to verify by experimentation "indicated results" of laboratory studies. Bikini is unsuitable for such testing because it lacks sufficient land surface for the necessary scientific information. (14)
21 Dec 1947 RELOCATION The Navy moves 145 Enewetak inhabitants to Ujelang prior to U.S. testing nuclear weapons at Enewetak. (15)
31 Jan 1948 RELOCATION On a visit to Rongerik Leonard Mason, a University of Hawaii anthropologist, and James Milne find a critical food shortage affecting the Bikinians. (16)
14 Mar 1948 RELOCATION The Bikini evacuees are moved to a temporary camp on the Kwajalein Navy base. (17)
16 Apr 1948 - 16 May 1948 WEAPONS TESTING The United States conducts three nuclear weapon tests at Enewetak as part of Operation Sandstone. (18)
28 Apr 1948 ADMINISTRATION The AEC goes on record as desiring that Enewetak Atoll be retained as a permanent proving ground for nuclear weapons after the completion of Operation Sandstone. (19)
18 Jun 1948 CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP The House of Representatives and the Senate establish a joint congressional committee of 12 members to recommend legislation to administer the Pacific Islands trust territory and to assure to the peoples of such areas justice, peace, and tranquillity, a voice in their civic affairs and government, the development of their economies and the protection of their civil rights, all with due regard to the established customs of such peoples. (20)
24 Jun 1948 ADMINISTRATION Congress appropriates $2.25 million to the U.S. Navy for administering Pacific island governments, including the annual appropriations for the Trust Territory (T.T.). (21)
29 Jun 1948 ADMINISTRATION RELOCATION Admiral D. C. Ramsey, commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT), and his staff visit the Enewetakese at Ujelang and find the community "a happy one ... well kept, and the people ... healthy a industrious. (22)
02 Nov 1948 RELOCATION After Bikini leaders select Kili island for a settlement, the Navy moves the Bikini community of 184 people to Kili, which lacks a lagoon and protected anchorage. (23)
Mar 1949 CONTRACTOR RADIATION The Holmes and Narver (H&N) Construction Company and Los Alamos
Scientific Laboratory (LASL) study the feasibility of replacing radiologically
contaminated top soil with uncontaminated soil at the Pacific Proving
Ground (PPG) at Enewetak Atoll. (24)
09 Apr 1951 - 26 May 1951 WEAPONS TESTING In Operation Greenhouse the United States detonates four nuclear weapons at Enewetak. (25)
08 Jun 1951 ADMINISTRATION The AEC accepts an informal arrangement under which the Secretary of the Interior would administer Enewetak and "would do everything they [presumably the Secretary of the Interior] could to maintain conditions satisfactory to the Commission's program there." (26)
01 Jul 1951 ADMINISTRATION An executive order transfers the T.T. civil administration to the Secretary of Interior. (27)
12 Jul 1951 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY The AEC states that an information paper is to be prepared explaining responsibilities of agencies associated with the maintenance of the Enewetak Proving Grounds, including the ownership of land and facilities. (28)
20 Jul 1951 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR RADIATION At Enewetak the AEC is represented through the Santa Fe Operations Office by H&N. H&N performs the AEC post-Greenhouse "roll-up," including reducing residual radioactivity somewhat by bulldozing surface dirt away from shot areas. (29)
31 Aug 1951 ADMINISTRATION Congress appropriates funds to the Department of the Interior (DOI) for the FY 1952 for expenses of the high commissioner and the T.T. and for grants to the T.T. for support of governmental functions. In addition, Congress authorizes the T.T. to make purchases through the General Services Administration and permits transfers of excess Navy Department property to the Secretary of the Interior for administering the T.T. (Public Law (P.L) 82-136). (30)
25 Sep 1947 - 17 Aug 1951 ADMINISTRATION CLAIMS The Navy Department's Bureau of Yards and Docks is designated in 1947 as the representative of the AEC to obtain title to land at Enewetak. The Bureau asserts that the AEC should pay the Enewetak natives $515,360 for the land area of which they were historic owners until their December 1947 removal. The AEC contends that payment should be made only after proper establishment of claims based on land ownership. As of August 1951 no such claims have yet been lodged against the AEC. (31)
28 Sep 1951 ADMINISTRATION Congress appropriates $1,772,000 to the Navy to acquire land for yards and docks facilities in the T.T. (P.L. 82-155). (32)
27 Apr 1952 RELOCATION A delegation, including former Sen. Elbert Thomas, high commissioner of the T.T., discusses the plight of the Bikinians with AEC Chairman Gordon Dean. The delegation seeks a better place for the Bikinians to live because Kili lacks fishing opportunities and cannot receive supplies during at least four months of the year. (33)
12 Sep 1952 RADIATION RELOCATION The AEC concludes tentatively that the natives now living on Kili
cannot be moved to Bikini because although Bikini "is in all probability
quite inhabitable from the radiological point of view," the atoll
satisfies operational requirements for a possible supplementary site.
(34) Oct 1952 RELOCATION The Navy transports 169 Ujelang people 100 miles farther away from
Enewetak for a temporary relocation as a precaution before Operation
Ivy nuclear tests. (35) 01-16 Nov 1952 RADIATION WEAPONS TESTING The United States conducts two nuclear tests at Enewetak in Operation Ivy. (36) Joint Task Force 132 observes no significant radioactive fallout from the detonation of the Ivy Mike shot, the first full-scale thermonuclear device fired by the U.S. (37)
20 Dec 1952 WEAPONS TESTING W. K Phillips, chief of staff at headquarters of the CINCPACFLT, states that "the significance" of a danger area for radioactive fallout for safety purposes from nuclear testing "is not of great importance" but that the danger area is convenient for security matters. He adds that for Operation Ivy the joint task force maintained surveillance of all shipping within a 500-mile radius of the Enewetak shot site and conducted specific searches downwind up to 800 miles away. (38)
05 Jan 1953 WEAPONS TESTING CINCPACFLT recommends to the AEC a danger area of 16035'-16628' east
longitude and 1015'-1245' north latitude for conducting nuclear tests
in the Pacific. (39) 06 Jan 1953 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY The AEC confirms its retention of Bikini Atoll and Enewetak Atoll for an indefinite time for use in testing nuclear weapons. Simultaneously the Commission recognizes that the atolls' former native inhabitants may have land rights. Because the Departments of Navy and Interior are discussing which agency will adjudicate such rights, the AEC "will look to whichever agency it is agreed will ... adjust claims" against the AEC. Meanwhile, the AEC acknowledges "that the Interior Department will administer the trust territory government in these atolls and exercise surveillance over the former native populations." (40)
05 Feb 1953 WEAPONS TESTING T.T. High Commissioner Elbert D. Thomas protests the proposed eastern extension of the nuclear test danger area because the enlargement would include about two-thirds of Ailinginae Atoll. Thomas contends that removal of that atoll from use would harm the Rongelapese who obtain fish and other food from Ailinginae. He urges limitation of the proposed danger area boundaries to exclude Ailinginae and all other Marshall atolls and islands except Bikini and Enewetak. Thomas recommends an eastern danger area boundary of 16617'. (41)
02 Apr 1953 WEAPONS TESTING The AEC enlarges the PPG to include Bikini as well as Enewetak. (42)
28 Apr 1953 WEAPONS TESTING Brig. Gen. K. E. Fields, AEC director of military application, establishes
a new danger area around the Pacific Proving Grounds of 16035'-16616'
east longitude by 1015'-1245' north latitude. (43)
07 May 1953 ADMINISTRATION LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY Gen. K. E. Fields, director of military application, informs the AEC general counsel that the DMA "has always held that there is no need for purchasing or leasing" the land used at Enewetak and Bikini Atolls for weapon testing. He explains that with current AEC use of these atolls through agreement with the Navy and DOI, "We maintain possession to a sufficient degree" to conduct the AEC testing without hindrance. (44)
26 Jun 1953 WEAPONS TESTING Adm. A. W. Radford, commander-in-chief of the Pacific fleet, states that, based on Ivy experience, the aerial survey could be greatly reduced during Castle and that atolls in the Marshall islands that lie within a potentially hazardous radius from the test site would require individual surveillance by the aerial technique. (45)
21 Oct 1953 RADIATION RELOCATION Gordon Dunning of the AEC discusses safety precautions for the Castle series with the observation that the "main objection to evacuation is the high cost and the logistic problems presented in supporting such an operation." Edward Heller of the JCAE reports that this matter will be discussed with Dr. John C. Bugher, director of the AEC division of biology and medicine (DBM) when he returns from his vacation in mid-November. (46)
31 Oct 1953 RELOCATION WEAPONS TESTING In its preliminary radiological safety plan for the Castle series the joint task force does not expect to evacuate native populations before the Castle Series. The rationale for not conducting such evacuations is based on February 1953 discussions between cognizant headquarters sections, radiological documentation from Ivy, "apparent unrealism in the assumption of health hazards of a magnitude conjectured for Ivy" a policy of financial austerity for FY 1954, and the unavailability of task force equipment for evacuations. The plan states, "However, consideration of populated islands will be one of the major factors influencing the decision to shoot." Commenting on the proposals, H. G. Hopwood, chief of staff for the CINCPACFLT, advises the CINCPACFLT that the upwind populated areas "present least concern since they are situated in a potentially safe region" but that the "cloud tracking within the danger area will not provide information useful to CINCPACFLT in the discharge of his responsibilities for the safety of other units and populated islands of the Pacific. . . . In the remote circumstance that extreme post shot conditions develop a necessity for the temporary evacuation of any populated island in the Marshalls, units of JTF-7 would be required to accomplish this emergency measure upon the request of CINCPACFLT." (47)
11 Dec 1953 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION RELOCATION WEAPONS TESTING The AEC appoints Maj. Gen. P.W. Clarkson as the senior AEC representative for Operation Castle at the PPG. Among his responsibilities are decisions to act in emergency situations to protect the health and safety of task force personnel and property and "the national interests." Clarkson also is the military commander for JTF-7. (48) Revising the Castle radiological safety plan, Clarkson Emphasizes, "Temporary evacuation of native populated islands is not recommended as a pre-shot measure. "He will use weather as a major safety measure to detonate shots "when wind conditions present minimum hazards to inhabited islands and air and surface routes of the Pacific." He augments the cloud tracking for Castle and places the downwind area from the shot site as first priority, the upwind area in the task force camp site as second priority, the upwind region of populated atolls in the southeast quadrant as third priority, and air and surface routes through Wake and the Marshall Islands as least priority. Clarkson acknowledges "a remote possibility of adverse conditions out to populated atolls." Because of "operational difficulties" Clarkson has insufficient documentation of fallout from Pacific high-yield shots, especially on the area above the Pacific tropopause, which is 15,000 feet higher than the Nevada Test Site tropopause. He also cites limitations on weather and radsafe forecasting techniques that make it impossible to assure "that no radsafe conditions conducive to possible adverse criticism will ensue." Relying on an earlier prediction by Dr. T. L Shipman, LASL health division leader, Clarkson cites Ujelang as a remote possibility for fallout hazards. The commander considers similar hazards at other populated islands "very remote." If temporary evacuation of the natives is required after a shot, Clarkson will use task force security ships for that purpose, and personnel with T.T. administrative and interpretation experience will be required to supervise that effort. (49)
1 Mar 1954 RADIATION WEAPONS TESTING The United States detonates an experimental thermonuclear device in Castle Bravo at Bikini. Because of a surprisingly higher yield than expected radioactive fallout extends beyond the announced danger area and reaches Rongerik Atoll, site of a U.S. weather station, and inhabited areas, including Rongelap and Utirik Atolls in the Marshall Islands. Also, according to the AEC, these atolls "were contaminated by radioactive fallout because of an unexpected shift in wind conditions." (50)
1 Mar 1954- 15 May 1954 RADIATION WEAPONS TESTING Operation Castle tests are conducted at Bikini. (51) Estimates differ on the amount of radiation exposure received by the Marshall Islanders. A military report made shortly after the detonation suggests Rongelapese exposures of "150 r. whole body gamma." (52) Another military memorandum reports that 64 Rongelapese may have received up to 130 roentgens over 51 hours; 17 additional Rongelapese on Ailinginae, 80 roentgens in 58 hours; 154 Utirik residents, 17 roentgens in 78 hours; and 401 Ailuk inhabitants, not evacuated, less than 20 roentgens total doses for their lifetimes. (53) An Armed Forces Institute of Pathology study estimates point source doses at "260 r." for the Rongelapese and "20 r." for the Utirik group. (54) Later studies by the AEC/DBM estimate that some Rongelapese may have received a whole-body gamma dose of 175 roentgens; that 20 percent incurred deep lesions; 70 percent superficial lesions; and 10 percent, no lesions; and that 55 percent lost some hair, which regrew later. (55) According to later estimates, the thyroid glands of young Marshallese children absorb approximately eleven microcuries of iodine (131) and from 700 to 1400 rads. (56)
02 Mar 1954 RADIATION After the task force radsafe officer measures 0.200 R/hr at 500 feet in a morning flyover at Rongerik, the radsafe officer evacuates 28 U.S. weather personnel from that atoll. An afternoon flight over the populated Marshalls extrapolates 1.350 R/hr at ground level at Rongelap; 0.400 R/hr at Ailinginae, 0.001 R/hr at Wotho, 0.240 R/hr at Utirik, and 0.076 R/hr at Ailuk. The flight over the unpopulated atolls calculates ground contamination as 0.600 R/hr at Bikar Island and Taongi Island at 0.014 R/hr. Task force officials then decide to evacuate Rongelap, Ailinginae, and Utirik Islands. They send the destroyer USS Philip 43 nautical miles southwest of Eneu Island, to evacuate Rongelap and Ailinginae the following morning and the USS Renshaw, 13 nautical miles north of Eneu Island, to evacuate Utirik on 4 March. Meanwhile radsafe monitors flown to Rongelap measure 1.400 R/hr in the living quarters of Rongelap island. (57)
03 Mar 1954 RADIATION RELOCATION The U.S. Navy DDE Philip evacuates 64 inhabitants from Rongelap and eighteen Rongelapese from Ailinginae and takes them to Kwajalein. (58) JTF-7 radsafe monitors measure 0.160 R/hr on the ground at Utirik Island. (59)
04 Mar 1954 MEDICAL RADIATION RELOCATION The DDE Renshaw evacuates 154 Utirik inhabitants to Kwajalein. The JTF-7 reports "comparatively low radiological exposure of this group." Medical examinations at Kwajalein of the Utirik people reveal no sickness but find a loss of appetite among some small children, a condition physicians attribute to diet change. (60)
05 Mar 1954 AGREEMENT CONTRACTOR MEDICAL RADIATION RELOCATION Gen. Clarkson confers on relocation and medical conditions of the Marshallese with Rear Adm. Clarke, commander, Naval Station, Kwajalein; Brig. Gen. Estes, commander, Task Group 7.4; Dr. Thomas White, health division, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL); Commander L. H. Alford, USS Renshaw, members of Clarke's staff; and local representatives of the T.T. (61) Describing the condition of the evacuated Rongelapese, the JTF-7 commander reports, "Many complained of stomach aches and headaches accompanied by vomiting on first day with similar symptoms [sic] to a lesser degree on second day." Five days later Gen. Clarkson, the task force commander, challenges this report by stating that the latter is based on Rongelapese statements and that medical personnel observed only one person vomiting. (62) The people from Rongelap and Utirik want to know when they can return home and are told "that it would be in approximately two to four weeks" with a final answer after surveys determine whether it is necessary to keep them evacuated until the end of the Castle operation. The Rongelap and Utirik people also are concerned about their animals. Because Clarkson determines that it would be less expensive to replace the animals later than care for them now, the task force commander expects no action to supply food and water to these animals. Some of the evacuees left money underneath their huts, and the conferees state, "Care will be taken to insure that any re-entry parties do not disturb the natives' belongings." (63) Captain Haight of the AEC/DMA reports that physical examinations of the evacuees show satisfactory health and no symptoms of radiation sickness as of this date. (64) Gen. Clarkson assures Adm. Clarke and the T.T. representative "that the Joint Task Force would stand any expense from Task Force funds over and above normal Naval or T.T. expenses" for such items as rations and interpreters' pay and would evacuate by air anyone stricken with radiation sickness to Tripler Hospital. (65)
06 Mar 1954 RADIATION Bugher advises Alfred J. Breslin at JTF-7 that there is no limit for the number of soil samples to collect from the Marshall islands area exposed to Castle Bravo fallout. Bugher is particularly interested in ruthenium 106 and strontium 89 and 90. (66)
08 Mar 1954 RADIATION Dr. Herbert Scoville, technical director of the AFSWP, leads a JTF-7 radiological survey team measuring the gamma dose rates in soil and water from Castle Bravo fallout at Rongelap and Utirik Islands. The milliroentgens(mr) per hour at waist height average 375 at Rongelap and 40 mr per hour at Utirik. (67)
09 Mar 1954 RADIATION Because of the 2 March detection of contamination of Bikar Atoll, approximately 300 miles east of Bikini, Scoville's survey team measures 160 mr per hour waist-high from the soil at Bikar Island on unpopulated Bikar Atoll in the aftermath of Castle Bravo. (68)
10 Mar 1954 MEDICAL PLUTONIUM RADIATION The Scoville survey team, measuring waist-high from the soil, finds an average outside dose rate of 280 mr per hour at Enewetak Island, Rongerik Atoll, and 100 mr per hour at Sifo Island, Ailinginae Atoll--all rates resulting from the Castle Bravo shot. (69) Dr. Thomas L Shipman receives local approval to collect and analyze urine samples from the natives and air weather personnel exposed to the Castle Bravo fallout. He recommends analyses of various substances, including plutonium, by LASL. (70)
11 Mar 1954 MEDICAL RADIATION The AFSWP chief, with the concurrence of the JTF-7 commander, adds to the weapons effect program of Operation Castle project 4.1, "Study of Response of Human Beings Exposed to Significant Beta and Gamma Radiation due to Fall-out from High Yield Weapons," a study of the Marshallese exposed to fallout. The command designates Commander E. P. Cronkite of the U.S. Navy as project officer. (71)
12 Mar 1954 RADIATION As part of the fallout collection for Castle Bravo, JTF-7 radiological survey parties send water and soil samples from 12 Marshall Islands atolls to the AEC New York operations office (NYOO) for analysis. (72)
15 Mar 1954 CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP PLUTONIUM RADIATION WEAPONS TESTING Joint Committee on Atomic Energy (JCAE) members Sen. John 0. Pastore (D-Rhode Island) and Rep. Chet Holifield (D-California) visit evacuees at Kwajalein Island and hold hearings on the radiation exposure from the Castle Brave operation. Pastore and Holifield report that "some of the residents of the Islands received radiation exposures considerably in excess of the tolerances set for workers in atomic energy plants" but that, to date, scientific and medical testimony "seems to indicate that no permanent injury will occur" as a result of the excess exposure. (73) A military report shortly after the detonation suggests that the Rongelap children's white blood cell counts are lower than those of adults as a result of Castle Bravo. In testing urine of the affected Marshall Islanders, an unidentified (possibly LASL) scientist states, "This plutonium number you cannot depend on." (74) Gen. Clarkson decides that the remainder of the Castle detonations
will be restricted to limited weather conditions under which it will
be safe to fire because Bravo showed what Ivy Mike did
not: that high-yield detonations can release radioactivity with potential
health hazards hundreds of miles away from ground zero. Clarkson vows
to "take every precaution to avoid danger during the course of
future operations to other populated areas of the Pacific." Because
of Castle Bravo he extends the danger area. (75)
10 Mar 1954 - 20 Mar 1954 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION Upon determination of excessive radioactive fallout in Castle Bravo, the commander of JTF-7 requests assistance of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the AEC and asks for a medical team and a medical study of exposures. The Armed Forces Special Weapons Project (AFSWP) of the DOD and the AEC/DBM share responsibility for the organization of the initial medical team, which is formed by "experienced" personnel from the Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) and the Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory (NRDL) and directed by Eugene P. Cronkite, M.D., head, hematology division, NMRI, Bethesda, Maryland. (76)
16 Mar 1954 RADIATION Naval station, Kwajalein, reports signs of radiation injury to the Rongelap group with a "modest decrease in white blood cells." During the first 48 hours two reportedly vomited and others experienced nausea. "These residents received approximately 125 r. cumulative." (77)
23 Mar 1954 MEDICAL RADIATION The Rongelap Islanders are the only Marshall Islanders now showing radiation sickness symptoms, including hair loss, skin and mucous membrane lesions, and blood count averages about two-thirds of normal. (78)
26 Mar 1954 CONTRACTOR RADIATION The University of Washington Laboratory of Radiation Biology (LRB) participates in the first expedition to Rongelap Atoll to collect biological samples for measurements of radiation contamination. (79)
01 Apr 1954 ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL Graves requests the LASL director to contrive an excuse to call Shipman back to Los Alamos as soon as possible. LASL Director Norris E. Bradbury replies that Shipman is returning in a few days. (80)
13 Apr 1954 MEDICAL PLUTONIUM RADIATION Dr. Thomas L. Shipman of LASL reports that the analysis of urine of Rongelapese and air weather service personnel exposed to Castle Bravo fallout shows an initial total body dose of iodine 131 of about 50 microcuries accompanied by shorter-lived iodine isotopes equivalent to about 5 millicuries of iodine 131 at the time of uptake. The estimated total integrated dose to the thyroid is about 130 "rep" of which 50 "rep" is from iodine 131. Shipman gives estimated body burdens of other nuclides; he finds plutonium as less than one-half of the maximum accepted permissible amount. (81)
20 Apr 1954 CLAIMS Prominent Marshall Islanders petition the UN to end the Pacific test operations if possible, but, if tests are necessary, to take all possible precautions to protect the health and welfare of the residents. (82)
22 Apr 1954 ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL RADIATION According to JTF-7 Commander Gen. Clarkson, although the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) directive for Castle "is silent on responsibilities" for the radioactive exposure of the Marshallese, the "CMM consider restoration to preevacuation standards is inescapable moral responsibility [of] both AEC and DOD. . ." (Possibly "CMM" refers to the commander.) Clarkson believes that CINCPACFLT should be assigned responsibility with AEC assistance for continued medical observation of the islanders and accompanying radiological studies. (83)
27 Apr 1954 ADMINISTRATION RELOCATION Persons not affected or slightly affected by Castle Bravo have been moved to a tent camp on Ebeye Island, Kwajalein Atoll, and the high commissioner of the T.T. expects the DOD and the AEC to restore clothing and livestock and assure continued medical checks as needed to the Marshallese evacuees. (84)
May 1954 RADIATION RELOCATION The Utirik residents are allowed to return to their island, which
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) physicians find "only slightly
contaminated and considered safe for habitation." (85)
2 May 1954 RADIATION RELOCATION Bugher, the AEC/DBM director, reports that "it appears to be undesirable" for Rongelap residents to return to their home for a year but that the health of the islanders seems to be satisfactory. (86)
21 May 1954 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL PLUTONIUM RADIATION Commenting on the LASL analysis of data on plutonium excretion from
urinalysis of the Rongelapese, Gordon Dunning AEC/DBM health physicist,
questions the reliability of the LASL data. According to the LASL data,
three of the readings reported are above the maximum permissible body
burden. (87) 24 May 1954 RADIATION RELOCATION Gordon Dunning of AEC reports that the highest strontium 90 value on Naen Island is 0.5 microcuries per square foot and on Rongelap 1.6 x 10-2 microcuries per square foot. He adds that "only a small fraction" of the Rongelapese food supply comes from island plants; that the calcium content is significantly greater than 1,000 pounds per acre and thus will correspondingly reduce the strontium 90 uptake; and that weathering may eliminate a small amount of the strontium activity. Therefore, Dunning thinks that the amount of strontium 90 in the soils should not prevent a return the Rongelapese to their islands. (88)
28 May 1954 CLAIMS LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY AEC Chairman Lewis Strauss requests the Secretary of Defense to consider settling claims of the Marshall Islanders resulting from the weapon test activities because the Federal Tort Claims Act precludes the AEC from covering Marshall Islanders' claims. (89)
03 Jun 1954 CONTRACTOR RADIATION Through a contract with the AEC the University of Hawaii agrees to manage the newly created Enewetak Marine Biological Laboratory on Medren Island, Enewetak Atoll. The AEC/DBM provides policy direction and sponsorship. The laboratory will serve as a base of information about the systematics, ecology, and life history of the atoll's flora and fauna. (90)
21 Jun 1954 ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL RELOCATION Maj. Gen. E. McGinley, U.S. Army chief of staff, lists the following
as responsible for the care and disposition of the Rongelap and Utirik
Atolls inhabitants: Thomas A. Hardison as the CJTF-7 representative
at Enewetak for the temporary care and disposition of the Marshallese
affected by Castle Bravo; CINCPACFLT for overall responsibility
for restoration of atolls with AEC assistance and for the return of
inhabitants; the T.T. high commissioner for routine welfare and care;
and the AEC/DBM for monitoring the physical conditions of the Rongelap
and Utirik residents. The JTF-7 is paying for such matters as certain
medical expenses for the evacuees, replacement of livestock lost because
of contamination, and the construction of a temporary village for the
Rongelapese at Majuro Atoll. (91) 09 Jul 1954 CLAIMS LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY The DOD general counsel agrees to accept Marshall Islanders' personal injury, damage, and private property loss claims received by the AEC because the Foreign Claims Act authorizes the United States armed forces to pay such claims under $5000. (92)
12-13 Jul 1954 ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL RADIATION Participants in a conference on surveys and studies of the Marshall Islands agree to the need for a series of long-term medical and environmental surveys for an indefinite time of the Marshall Islands and their inhabitants affected by the nuclear weapon testing. Dr. John Bugher assumes that the DBM will bear financial responsibility for such work but expects the trust territory to handle normal medical care. "Our job is to see that it is done and that the facilities are provided," Bugher says. (93)
16 Jul 1954 CONTRACTOR RADIATION Both Navy and University of Washington scientists participate in a second survey of Rongelap Atoll to conduct radiation readings and collect biological samples for radiological measurements. (94)
23 Jul 1954 AGREEMENT The AEC decides to request the Department of the Navy to represent the AEC in negotiating with the trust territory government for the use of Bikini and Enewetak. (95)
Sep 1954 MEDICAL RADIATION Follow-up medical examinations by the NMRI and the NRDL of the Rongelapese
show, in general, healthy and normally active individuals with minimal
amounts of residual radioactivity in about one-third of those exposed.
(96) 14 Sep 1954 CLAIMS RADIATION RELOCATION K. D. Nichols, the AEC general manager, informs the JCAE that the DOI and the Navy Department are currently taking steps to settle claims with inhabitants of Bikini and Enewetak atolls for the use of their lands. (97) According to the AEC, the amount of radioactivity in Bikini and Enewetak lagoons makes fish there unsuitable for human consumption. (98) The AEC also reports that radiological damage to Bikini and Enewetak includes high radioactive contamination levels that will require passage of several years before humans can inhabit these lands. Of the Castle Bravo fallout recipients, Ailinginae, Rongerik, Utirik, and Rongelap, only the latter is seriously affected, and AEC authorities expect Rongelap land areas to fall below the permissible occupational exposure rate in about 12 months. (99)
25 Oct 1954 CONTRACTOR RADIATION Dr. C. L Dunham, deputy director of the AEC division of biology and medicine, agrees with representatives of the NRDL, the Bureau Of Ships, and Dr. Lauren Donaldson of the University of Washington Applied Fisheries Laboratory (AFL) on proceeding with radiological surveys of Rongelap, Rongerik, Ailinginae, Bikar, and Utirik. The specimens and samples collected for the AEC will be forwarded to the AFL. (100)
02 Dec 1954 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY MEDICAL RADIATION The DOD agrees to compensate the Rongelap and Utirik people for damages from the 1 March fallout, but under the Foreign Claims Act such claims must be presented within one year after the occurrence. As of this date, no claims have been submitted. The houses built by H&N, an AEC contractor, on Ejit Island in Majuro Atoll, are constructed so that the Rongelapese can remove them to their original homesites. The AEC accepts responsibility for continued medical examinations of the Rongelap people as a routine precautionary measure. The AEC also assumes responsibility for periodic radiological resurveys of Rongelap to determine when the inhabitants may return safely. The AEC will pay for constructing an island communication system between Kili and Jaluit and for family housing units on Jaluit so that Bikinians on Kili may fish at the Jaluit lagoon. (101)
08 Dec 1954 , 18 Dec 1954 CONTRACTOR RADIATION AFL, NRDL, and AEC/DBM scientists collect samples and record radiation levels at Rongelap Atoll. (102)
25-30 Jan 1955 CONTRACTOR RADIATION RELOCATION The NRDL and AFL make the most extensive survey and biological collecting trip to date for the AEC at Rongelap Atoll. The work reveals unsafe amounts of radioactivity in shellfish and crabs, important in the peoples' diets. (103)
Feb 1955 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION The AEC/DBM establishes criteria and procedures deemed necessary to protect the health and welfare of the general populace from consequences of weapon tests at the Nevada test site. The criteria are: up to 30 roentgens, no evacuation indicated; 30-50 roentgens, evacuation only if 15 or more roentgens are saved; and 50 roentgens and higher, evacuation without regard to the amount of the dose. The procedures are: make rough estimates of radiation doses before and after detonations and then take dose-rate readings with survey meters, which are held three feet above ground. (104) The NRDL collects soil and biological samples in the Marshall Islands for a radiological study. (105)
Mar 1955 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL RADIATION Most of the Rongelap natives appear "in excellent general health", according to a medical recheck by Dr. Eugene P. Cronkite of BNL, Lt. Cmdr. Samuel D. McPherson of Bethesda Naval Medical Hospital, and Dr. Charles L. Dunham, deputy director of the AEC/DBM. (106) A resurvey of flora and fauna of the Marshall Islands by NRDL and AFL reveals "significant amounts of radioactive contamination" in the animals, food plants, water, and soil samples one year after their contamination by fallout from Castle Brave. The U.S. NRDL finds the highest concentrations of internally deposited activity in marine specimens taken from the northern Rongelap lagoon. Zirconium-, 95 Niobium 95 and ruthenium 106-rhodium 106 contribute most of this activity. The NRDL team reports cesium 137 as the major radionuclide in land animals and island soil and lagoon water contaminated principally by ruthenium 106-rhodium 106 and zirconium 95-niobium 95. (107)
06 May 1955 AGREEMENT The AEC finds acceptable a land agreement between the Departments of Navy and the Interior on the T.T. with the understanding that the Navy will pay for Enewetak and Bikini Atolls and that the AEC will be given an opportunity to approve in advance the form and content of the agreements covering those two atolls. (108)
13 May 1955 CLAIMS LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY After agreement by the Navy and the Pacific islands T.T. officers the Navy Foreign Claims Commission completes settlement of the claims of Marshall Islanders resulting from the March 1954 nuclear tests by paying totals of $1,719.27 to Utirik inhabitants and $5,162.53 to Rongelap residents in April and May. (109)
08 Jun 1955 RADIATION RELOCATION According to AEC Chairman Lewis L. Strauss, Rongelap currently is unsuitable for habitation because of radioactivity in the atoll's northern islands "somewhat above" exposures recommended by the National Committee on Radiation Protection (NCRP) (later named the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and radioactive contamination of mollusks and crustaceans, part of the natives' diets, in the southern half of the atoll. According to D. H. Nucker, deputy high commissioner of the T.T., shellfish, especially crabs and clams, are traditionally part of the Rongelapese diet. Nucker considers the island's shellfish too contaminated to eat. Although the Rongelapese have been alerted to the dangers of radioactivity in the residual contamination in mollusks and crustaceans, Nucker explains We anticipate something less than 100 percent cooperation in the avoidance of these areas and foods were the people to return home ...There simply is no practical way to police the people if they were to return home. Consequently, Nucker recommends keeping the Rongelapese on Ejit Island for at least another six months. (110)
05 Oct 1955 RADIATION RELOCATION K.E. Fields, general manager of the AEC, advises that repatriation of the Rongelap people should be deferred until data from another planned Rongelap Atoll radiological survey can be evaluated. (111)
21-23 Oct 1955 CONTRACTOR RADIATION The AFL collects soil and biological samples in the Marshall Islands area for radiological studies. (112)
07 Nov 1955 CONTRACTOR RADIATION As part of a radiological study, the AFL takes biological and soil samples from the Marshall Islands. (113)
1956 RADIATION The NRDL and Walter Reed Army Medical Center study radionuclides in urine samples of the Rongelapese. (114) A radiobiological analysis indicates contamination during this year of reef fishes of Rongelap and Ailinginae Atolls, probably from Operation Redwing, conducted during spring and summer 1956. (115)
07-14 Feb 1956 RADIATION The NRDL collects soil and biological samples on the Marshall Islands for radiobiological study. (116)
09 Mar 1956 CLAIMS The Marshallese Congress Hold-over Committee petitions the UN Visiting Mission for
06 Apr 1956 ADMINISTRATION Herzel Plaine of the office of the AEC general counsel describes the Marshall Islands as a Class C category mandate and indicates that the U.S. intends to treat the T.T. as an integral part of the U.S. in order to apply the laws of eminent domain to conducting the nuclear tests in the T.T. (118)
24 Apr 1956 MEDICAL RADIATION Current medical examinations indicate that the Rongelapese show no conditions related to radiation effects but that they are restless because of inactivity and social tension among themselves and with other groups. (119)
05 May - 22 Jul 1956 WEAPONS TESTING The U.S. conducts nuclear weapon tests at Enewetak and Bikini in Operation Redwing. (120)
11-21 Jun 1956 CONTRACTOR RADIATION On contract with the AEC to assess radioactive materials distribution
from 1956 nuclear testing the AFL collects and measures radiation in
plankton, water, and fish samples near Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. This
survey finds radioactivity at each station with the highest readings
in plankton and water samples from stations north of Bikini Atoll. (121)
20-22 Jul 1956 RADIATION WEAPONS TESTING Fallout occurs at Parry Island and Enewetak and on ship routes between Bikini and Enewetak from the Operation Redwing Tewa shot. At 26 hours after the shot Dr. Gaelen Felt reports maximum readings of approximately 120 mr at Parry and Enewetak. (122)
23-24 Jul 1956 CONTRACTOR RADIATION The AFL collects soil and biological specimens in the Marshall Islands for a radiobiological study. (123) A Rongelap Island survey shows a range from 0.2 to 0.5 mr per hour with an average of 0.4 mr per hour. (124)
1-20 Sep 1956 CONTRACTOR RADIATION An AEC-sponsored survey conducted by AFL in the north equatorial current from the Marshall Islands to the Marianas shows a sharp decrease in the distribution of radioactivity east of Bikini and a gradual, irregular decrease west of Enewetak. (125)
14 Nov 1956 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY RELOCATION G. L. Russell, deputy chief of naval operations, declines the request of the AEC director of military application, Brigadier General Alfred D. Starbird, to commit the Navy to fund the costs of repatriation and restoration for the Rongelapese displaced by the 1954 tests. (126)
19 Nov 1956 AGREEMENT Through T.T. High Commissioner Delmas H. Nucker the U.S. government
concludes an agreement with two chiefs representing the Enewetak Atoll.
The agreement allows the United States to use Enewetak Atoll in exchange
for granting the Enewetak people full use rights in Ujelang Atoll until
they can return to Enewetak, and it provides $175,000 to those Enewetakese
possessing rights in Enewetak Atoll. (127)
22 Nov 1956 AGREEMENT Representing the U.S. government, the high commissioner of the T.T. signs an agreement with chiefs and representatives of the Bikini people for the use Bikini Atoll by the United States. The agreement provides in exchange full use rights of the Bikini people to several islands, islets, and land parcels in the trust territory public domain and for $325,000 for those with rights in Bikini Atoll. (128)
27 Nov 1956 RADIATION The Advisory Committee on Biology and Medicine (ACBM) recommends that the Rongelapese be returned to their islands. To avoid an appreciable genetic risk to the U.S. population, the committee also recommends approval of a level of 10 roentgens in 10 years for criteria for off-site exposure to fallout for U.S. continental tests. (129)
1957 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR RADIATION Seven Marshall Islanders are brought to Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) for tests to determine precise body burdens, including total body gamma activity. Argonne scientists have not yet obtained complete test results, according to information given at a JCAE hearing. Dr. Robert A. Conard of BNL is responsible for annual medical surveys of the Marshallese. (130)
06 Feb 1957 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION RELOCATION The AEC/DBM director recommends the return of the Rongelapese to their home as soon as rehabilitation is completed and the continuation of medical inspections and radiation surveys on the island. He bases his recommendations on projected statistics. Extrapolation of data suggests that gamma doses on Rongelap "would not greatly exceed (if at all)" 0.5 roentgens for the first year and would decline in later years. The director compares these figures to those recommended by the NCRP for adult workers of 0.3 roentgens per week with "a restriction and for population as a whole of a total of 14 million rem per million of population" over the first 30 years of life. He also projects that the average concentration of strontium 90 might be less than 360 Sunshine units and, with the elimination of land crabs, 107 Sunshine units. (A Sunshine unit equals 0.001 of the permissible body burden. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) allows 100 Sunshine units for adult workers.) (131) The AEC division of military application (DMA) also accepts responsibility to fund the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Rongelap at a projected cost of $280,000. (132)
21 Feb 1957 RELOCATION The AEC approves the return of the Rongelapese to their home island as soon as rehabilitation of the island is completed. (133)
Prior to 27 May 1957 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION The commander of JTF-7 designates a representative for each off-site location outside the PPG. The representative is responsible for the radiological safety of the local population in the populated islands near the PPG and members of the task force. (134)
25 Jun 1957 RADIATION A radiological survey of the gamma levels on Rongelap Island shows the average gamma dose rate as 0.26 roentgens per year. (135)
29 Jun 1957 RELOCATION The Rongelapese are returned to their home island. (136)
07 Apr 1958 WEAPONS TESTING The AEC commissioners decide not to conduct two very high altitude firings of nuclear weapons at Enewetak Proving Ground because the AEC cannot assure absolutely that the Marshallese would receive no eye damage from the light resulting from such detonations. (137)
01 May 1958 RADIATION As part of the Hardtack tests operation in the Pacific, the
task force radiological safety office is prepared to warn, advise, and
help inhabitants in taking safety measures in case of significant fallout
in an inhabited area. The office's monitors also have trained Marshallese
medical practitioners and health aides in basic emergency measures.
(138) 06 May 1958 - 19 Aug 1958 WEAPONS TESTING The U.S. conducts nuclear weapon tests in Operation Hardtack I at Bikini, Enewetak, and Johnston Island. (139)
31 Oct 1958 WEAPONS TESTING In a moratorium, the United States, Great Britain, and the USSR suspend nuclear weapon testing. (140)
Mar 1959 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL RADIATION A BNL team conducts the regular annual medical survey of the Rongelapese and finds no illnesses or diseases directly associated with radiation effects. Preliminary results suggest a "slight lag" in growth and development of exposed children, blood platelet levels somewhat below the unexposed population but within normal range, and increases, though within permissible levels, in body burdens of cesium 137, zinc 65 and strontium 90, attributed to living on "the slightly contaminated island of Rongelap." (141)
09-24 Mar 1960 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Results of the 1959 and 1960 medical surveys of the Marshallese by Conard of BNL reveal no "clinical signs and symptoms or abnormalities clearly attributable to" the 1954 Castle Bravo test. The tests reveal, however, "low body burdens of strontium 90, cesium 137, and zirconium 65" that are attributed to the contamination of the islanders' food supply. The report cautions that the "next five years will be the critical period for the development of leukemia in the Marshallese." (142)
1961 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conard notes that body burdens of cesium 137, zirconium 65, and strontium 90 reach "equilibrium with environmental sources" and that "no effects from these isotopes have been detected." (143)
Mar 1961 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conard's medical survey reveals "no apparent illnesses or disabilities related to radiation effects" and a "generally good" state of nutrition. BNL examiners recommend future surveys because of persistent trends, such as the "incomplete recovery of certain blood elements to levels found in the unexposed people," growth retardation in some irradiated children, and "pigmented changes at the sites of radiation burns." During the survey the Rongelapese complain of not getting enough to eat" and the continued T.T. ban on eating coconut crabs. They also attribute certain phenomena to radiation, such as changes to the coconut and pandanus trees, illnesses resulting from the eating of fish with "black spots" on their abdomens, and "inflammation and blistering of the mouth from eating arrowroot flour." The latter, in Conard's opinion, results from improper preparation of the flour and not radioactive contamination. (144)
23 Oct 1961 POLICY WEAPONS TESTING Officials from the DOI, the Department of State, and the DOD discuss the possible resumption of nuclear testing in the T.T. Because of adverse world opinion and the fact that the Micronesians are now well represented legally, Johnston or Christmas Islands are preferred over Bikini or Enewetak, and it is agreed that testing at Enewetak should only be considered if other feasible test sites cannot be found. (145)
03 Nov 1961 POLICY WEAPONS TESTING Noting that under the trusteeship agreement with the UN the U. S. is "directly responsible for the well-being of the people of Micronesia," Acting Secretary of the Interior James K. Carr, advises Glenn T. Seaborg, chairman of the AEC, "against any further testing in the T.T. of the Pacific Islands." (146)
15 Nov 1961 CONTRACTOR RADIATION Basing his judgment on studies of Japanese atomic bombing survivors and Rongelap natives, Clinton S. Maupin, Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Company, (REECo), radiological safety advisor, states, "An exposure limit of 3 R per quarter and 5 R per year is obviously an extremely safe limit." (147)
27 Nov 1961 POLICY Seaborg states that the AEC is "exploring other means and locations
in the hope that ... it would not be necessary to utilize Islands in
the Trusteeship Territory" should atmospheric testing be resumed.
(148) 15 Feb 1962 CONTRACTOR RADIATION Results of surveys by the University of Washington Laboratory of Radiation Biology (LRB) at Bikini and 10 other central Pacific islands between 1954 and 1958 reveal that "radioactivity decreased with distance and direction" from the Enewetak test site. Thus, islands within a 130-mile radius of the site exhibited 10 or more times the radioactivity of those surveyed outside this area, and the "major portion of the radioactivity was deposited at or close to the test sites at Enewetak and Bikini Atolls." In addition, islands east of the Bravo test site, i.e., Bikar, Likiep and Rongerik, "contained relatively high amounts of radioactivity." These surveys also showed that zirconium 95-niobium 95, ruthenium 103 and 106, and -rhodium 103 and 106 were the predominant radioisotopes in most samples; that isotopes such as tungsten 181 and 185, zirconium 65, and cesium 137 were relatively high in some samples; and that strontium 90 was found usually in very low amounts. (149)
07 May 1962 ADMINISTRATION In transferring to the Secretary of the Interior the responsibility for civil administration of all sections of the T.T., Executive Order (E.O.) 11021 defines this responsibility to include "all executive, legislative, and judicial authority necessary for that administration." The President, however, retains the authority to close areas in the territory for security reasons and to determine how Articles 87 and 88 of the UN Charter and Article 13 of the trusteeship agreement apply to those areas closed. The effective date is 1 July 1962. (150)
17 Aug 1962 RADIATION Chairman Anthony Celebrezze of the Federal Radiation Council (FRC)
notes that the FRC's radiation protection guides, while not officially
designed for fallout situations," can be used to determine when
"detailed" evaluations and "protective action should
be taken." In addition, while the FRC assumes that some slight
risk to health exists from levels "even at or below the low levels
set by the Guides," it does not believe a major health hazard exists
until the fallout measurements "are many times above" these
levels. (151) Nov 1962 RADIATION A proposed FRC statement "concerning radioactive iodine in fallout" recommends taking protective action when annual radioiodine intake exceeds 365,000 micromicrocuries, or the average thyroid dose equivalent in infants exceeds 5R. (152)
1963 WEAPONS TESTING The Kennedy administration establishes Safeguard "C" upon recommendation of the JCS and the U.S. Senate to accompany the U.S. adherence to the limited test ban treaty prohibiting atmospheric nuclear weapon testing. Safeguard "C," which is one of four test ban treaty safeguards, involves maintenance of the capability to resume atmospheric nuclear testing promptly should the test ban treaty or any of its terms be abrogated by the Soviet Union. (153)
15 Mar 1964 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL A preliminary statement by Conard and Hicking (BNL) concerning their March 1964 survey of Rongelap reveals that the people are "generally in good health with no apparent nutritional deficiencies," and that "no evidence of cancer or leukemia" has been detected. Some exposed children, however, have exhibited a "slight retardation of growth and development," and "thyroid nodules were found in three exposed girls." These nodules are being evaluated further. (154)
01 May 1964 WEAPONS TESTING Alvin P. Leudecke, the AEC general manager, tells Ataji L. Balos of the Marshall Islands that, as a result of the U.S. signing of the limited nuclear test ban treaty in August 1963, "it is clear that the United States has no present intention of conducting any tests of nuclear weapons in the Marshall Islands." (155)
31 Jul 1964 RADIATION Upon the recommendations of the FRC, President Lyndon B. Johnson approves the adoption of the Protective Action Guide (PAG), or the "projected absorbed dose to individuals in the general population which warrants protective action following a contaminating event," and the use of this guide by federal agencies. The PAG for iodine 131 is set at "30 rads to the thyroid." (156)
22 Aug 1964 ADMINISTRATION CLAIMS LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY P.L. 88-485 appropriates $950,000 to "compensate inhabitants in the Rongelap Atoll ... for radiation exposures sustained ... as a result of'" Castle Bravo. Payments are to be disbursed by the Secretary of the Interior and considered in "full settlement and discharge of all claims against" the U. S." (157) P.L. 88-487 gives the Secretary of the Interior the power to extend
any federal program administered by any "department, corporation,
or other agency of the executive branch of the Government" to the
T.T." (158) 19 Oct 1964 MEDICAL Of the three girls diagnosed with thyroid tumors in March 1964 two have had thyroidectomies and-have been diagnosed with adenocardnoma. The third is soon to have a thyroidectomy. Estimated doses to the thyroids are "100 to 175 rads external gamma plus 100 to 150 rads from absorbed radioiodine." Pending documented data, however, the AEC considers these findings "tentative." While the two girls' prognoses are uncertain, the surgeons feel "they may have removed all the neoplastic tissue." (159)
Mar 1965 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conard's survey reveals that while the "health of both the exposed and unexposed people ... is generally good, and ... nutrition ... satisfactory," three more cases of thyroid nodules are discovered: two boys and a 41-year-old woman. These people are being brought to BNL for "further examination and treatment." To date, no malignancies that can be "related to radiation" and no cases of leukemia have surfaced. In addition, the people's "blood elements" have returned to normal; they "appear well adjusted to life on their home island and exhibit no untoward psychological reactions to their experience." (160)
May 1965 CONTRACTOR RADIATION A study of gamma dose rates at Rongelap Atoll, done by the LRB between 1954 and 1963, reveals that the decline of these rates from 1954-1959 "followed the theoretical decay of mixed fission products from U 235 calculated by Miller and Loeb." From 1959-1963, the reduction was "approximately half the predicted levels," but this is attributed to the "downward movement of the long-lived gamma-emitter Cs 137 in the soil." (161)
Jul 1965 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR MEDICAL All three thyroid cases found during the March 1965 survey are successfully operated on at the Lahey Clinic in Boston. The tumors in the two boys are found to be benign. The woman, however, "has carcinoma of the thyroid gland with some metastases to local structures." She is given a "sub-total thyroidectomy" followed by 30 millicuries of iodine 131. Of note is that the radioiodine dose in the woman is approximately 160 rads, or one-tenth that of the youths. All three people are "returned to their island in satisfactory condition." (162) The Congress of Micronesia holds its first session. (163)
Aug 1965 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL RADIATION Conard of BNL finds thyroid nodules in three more adolescents and two adults--bringing the total number of abnormalities to 11 out of the fallout-exposed population of 82. (164) A study of "atoll soil types in relation to the distribution of fallout radionuclides," made from collections done in 1958, 1959, 1961, and 1963, is completed by the LRB. It notes that "different plant soil environments on single islets have a different vertical distribution pattern ... from the same fallout." In addition, "the maximum concentration of fallout radionuclides remains at the soil surface ... except in areas where there has been erosion." Finally, while "Cs 137 and Sr 90 are the principal radionuclides entering a cycle within the soil-plant system" and "loss from this system appears to be small," no definite conclusions are drawn from this data. (165)
Sep 1965- Dec 1965 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conard begins "routine administration of thyroid hormone" to the exposed Rongelap people. (166)
1966 ADMINISTRATION WEAPONS TESTING The T.T. legislature requests President Lyndon B. Johnson to create a commission to consider the future status of the T.T. (167) Safeguard "C" focuses on Johnston Atoll under a Memorandum of understanding between the Defense Atomic Support Agency (DASA) and the AEC. (168)
Feb 1966 - Mar 1966 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conard identifies five more people with thyroid nodules, bringing the total to 16 of the 69 survivors from the 1954 test. The BNL plans to bring these five new cases to BNL in May for study and treatment. To date only one cancer case has been found, but it is noted that thyroid cancer often grows "in nodular fashion." Forty children from Utirik who had received 14R whole body exposures are also examined, and no nodules are found. In addition, 194 unexposed Marshallese now living on these islands are examined, and three people over 47 years old are found to have nodules. (169)
May - Jun 1966 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL The five Marshallese with nodules, discovered in Conard's March 1966 survey, are brought to BNL for evaluation and given subtotal thyroidectomies at New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston. All patients have goiters with nodules and one has Hurtle cells. None exhibit complications, and the group is returned home on 16 June. They will be treated with thyroid hormones. (170)
Sep 1966 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conard visits the five Marshallese operated on in June 1966 and finds no new medical problems. In addition, "the nodules ... of the remaining patients seem ... controllable by ... thyroid hormone." (171)
07 Dec 1966 RELOCATION Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall advises AEC Chairman Seaborg that the DOI is "most anxious to determine whether the Bikini people can now be returned to their homeland" and asks the AEC to review the issue at the "earliest opportunity." Udall's primary concern is that the Bikinians' plight might convince all Micronesians to vote against permanent affiliation with the U.S. in their upcoming plebiscite. (172)
1967 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL BNL studies conclude, "with increasing probability," that growth retardation in "some of the Rongelap children" has resulted from "hypofunction of the thyroid gland." (173)
24 Jan 1967 CONTRACTOR RELOCATION Officials from the University of Washington, BNL, the DOI, FRC, and the AEC, Including the Health and Safety Laboratory (HASL) of NYOO, decide to resurvey Bikini Atoll to determine if its people can be returned there. Ed Held is selected to plan the expedition. (174)
Mar 1967 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conard diagnoses a new case of nodules in a 17-year-old boy. Of the 19 children under age 10 exposed in 1954, 16 have "developed thyroid pathology," with two displaying hypothyroidism. To date, 11 people have been operated on and all are in "good condition with no further ... abnormalities." Those children who have not been operated on are receiving hormones. (175)
Apr 1967 - May 1967 RADIATION RELOCATION The AEC undertakes a survey of the Bikini Atoll to determine "levels and components of external gamma radiation fields." Cesium 137 is found to be the "major contributor ... to the total exposure rate" on Bikini and Eneu Islands, and because of its 30.5 year half-life its "levels on Bikini ... are likely to be the limiting factor in assessing the long term hazards" to repopulating the island." (176) An agricultural survey of Bikini Atoll finds that "while a small part of the atoll was damaged by the nuclear explosions, the atoll as a whole could support coconut groves and subsistence crops." In addition, fish and seabirds could provide an "extended supply of sustenance." It is recommended to begin an "early agricultural rehabilitation program" to prepare the islands for resettlement. Such a program is expected to last four years and cost $165,000. (177) An anthropological study of the Bikinians and their leaders reveals that most are dissatisfied with Kili and wish to return to Bikini. (178)
10 May 1967 ADMINISTRATION P.L 90-16 appropriates $25 million for 1967 and $35 million each for 1968 and 1969 "for the continuance of civil government for the T.T. ...and for other purposes." (179)
21 Aug 1967 CONGRESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY President Johnson submits a proposed joint resolution to Congress for the creation of a commission on the status of the T.T. to develop recommendations to establish self-government in Micronesia. (180)
20 Oct 1967 RELOCATION Approximately 300 Enewetak people on Ujelang board a T.T. supply ship and demand to be moved to Majuro. They are angered by the lack of food and poor conditions on Ujelang. (181)
28 Feb 1968 RADIATION RELOCATION Officials from the DOI, the National Security Council, the DOD, the DBM and the division of operational safety (DOS) of the AEC, and the T.T. conclude that resettlement of Bikini Atoll would soon result in external exposure levels approximately double that of the "average U. S. Population," but similar to that of the residents of the Colorado Plateau. Burying or plowing the soil, however, while "presumably" reducing this exposure to "near average levels," would also reduce the island's fertility. In addition, consumption of local produce would yield cesium 137 burdens 20 to 50 times that in the U.S. during the 1963-1964 fallout period, but these levels could be reduced to those "deemed acceptable ... in recent years" by limiting local food sources and providing substitutes. (182)
Mar 1968 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conard discovers two more children with thyroid nodules and decides to bring four more people to BNL. Three of these four have not responded to hormone therapy and the fourth is a 29-year-old woman with an "unidentified tumor in the neck lateral to the gland." (183)
14 Mar 1968 AGREEMENT Representatives of the Enewetak people and the T.T. high commissioner amend the 19 November 1956 agreement concerning the "use of Enewetak Atoll" to give the high commissioner more discretion in how trust funds are invested. (184)
13 May 1968 RADIATION RELOCATION For the Bikini cleanup Martin B. Biles, director of the AEC/DOS, recommends the removal of contaminated scrap metal from Bikini to make the radioactive scrap unavailable to native collectors. (185)
Jun 1968 AGREEMENT The Enewetakese request an increase in their trust fund amount. (186)
01 Jun 1968 RELOCATION Representatives of the Enewetak people on Ujelang petition the UN to set a date for their return to Enewetak. (187)
12 Jul 1968 MEDICAL RADIATION RELOCATION The AEC concludes that radiation would not be a "significant" health and safety threat in resettling Bikini and recommends six measures to help reduce exposure. In addition, it recommends that body burdens of cesium 137 and strontium 90 be checked after one year and as appropriate thereafter and that efforts be made to ensure an "adequately nutritious diet." (188)
25 Jul 1968 RELOCATION The Secretary of the Interior advises President Lyndon B. Johnson that the "initial contingent of returnees might be settled within a year" and the remainder within two. In addition, he urges a public announcement of the decision to resettle Bikinians on Bikini. (189)
02 Aug 1968 ADMINISTRATION RELOCATION President Johnson requests that the AEC Chairman, the Secretaries of Defense and Interior, and the high commissioner of the T.T. cooperate in the planning and implementation of a "comprehensive resettlement program for Bikini." (190)
12 Aug 1968 RELOCATION President Johnson publicly announces the decision to resettle the Bikinians. (191)
21 Aug 1968 ADMINISTRATION LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY RELOCATION Acting AEC Chairman James Ramey offers the DOI the cooperation of the AEC "in the development of a resettlement plan for the Bikini people" and designates Maj. Gen. E. B. Giller to coordinate the AEC role in this effort. (192)
23 Aug 1968 - 06 Sep 1968 RADIATION RELOCATION During a visit to the Marshall Islands Tommy F. McCraw, a health physicist of the AEC/DOS tells the Bikinians that the food from the Bikini Atoll lagoon and Eneu Island is safe to eat but that villages will be built only on Bikini and Eneu Islands. (193)
29-31 Aug 1968 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR RELOCATION Representatives of the Bikini people, members of the T.T. government, the AEC, the DOD, and the DOI estimate a cleanup of five years at a cost of $2,961,000. Of this amount, it is decided to spend $100,000 in 1970 and 1971 to renovate the Bikinians' accommodations on Kili and $80,000 in 1970 and 1971 for renovations on Ujelang. The cleanup will be contracted to H&N Pacific test division, and airlifting will be carried out by Military Air Command (MAC) and the DOD. (194)
Sep 1968 RELOCATION The Marshall Islands legislature addresses a resolution to President Johnson on the poor living conditions on Ujelang and requests that a date be set for the return of the Enewetak people to their atoll. (195)
21 Oct 1968 ADMINISTRATION LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY P.L 90-617 increases the funding for civil government in the T.T. from $35 million to $40 million for 1969 and $50 million each for 1970 and 1971. In addition, the Secretary of the Interior is given the power to appropriate funds up to $10 million "to alleviate suffering and damage resulting from major disasters" there. (196)
1969 CONTRACTOR RADIATION Surveys held in conjunction with the Bikini cleanup reveal no "striking differences between the 1967 and 1969 average values [of radionuclides] for edible" marine animals. In addition, present radionuclide levels and distribution are not expected to change significantly, except for decreases due to physical decay. External radiation measurements and foliage collections are done by the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS), and the Laboratory of Radiation Ecology (LRE) handles the other sampling and prepares the analyses. (197)
Jan 1969 RELOCATION President Johnson transmits a $1.7 million budget request to Congress for FY 1970 for the cleanup, housing and village center construction, and initiation of the replanting program on Bikini and Eneu Islands. (198)
17 Jan 1969 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION The DOD agrees to join the AEC in the cleanup of Bikini Atoll and will provide $300,000, equal to the AEC contribution, to start this effort. (199)
11 Feb 1969 ADMINISTRATION A ten-point agreement between the AEC and the DASA of the DOD apportions the responsibilities involved in the Bikini cleanup. While the DOD will manage the cleanup, "the AEC contractor will provide planning, engineering and technical staff support and labor for cleanup as well as ... other tasks as determined by the Project Manager." In addition, the AEC will determine that "radiological health and safety requirements are met" at the project's completion. Although the AEC and the DOD will each contribute $300,000, the AEC's "funding shall not exceed $300,000 for the entire project and ... shall not be used to pay costs which accrue subsequent to" 30 June 1969. (200)
18 Feb 1969 RELOCATION The DOD begins its cleanup of the islands of Bikini and Eneu and projects that completion will require six months. (201)
Mar 1969 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conard's survey reveals that "retrospective estimates of the internal dose to the thyroids from absorbed radioiodines add 600 to 1400 rems to the 175 rad external dose." Plans are being made to bring three children and one adult to BNL. (202)
20 Mar 1969 ADMINISTRATION The AEC Nevada operations office (NV) designates W. A. Bonnet as its project officer and F. D. Cluff as radiological safety officer for the Bikini cleanup operation. Bonnet will administer "all functions" of the H&N Pacific test division in support of the cleanup effort. Cluff will be responsible for determining whether the DOD's pre-operation plans receive AEC radiological health and safety approval and for advising and assisting the commander of JTF-8 in directing the on-site radiological program. In addition, DOD and DOI funds will be available to the NV through the AEC/DMA. (203)
01 May 1969 ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL The AEC names Conard to conduct the routine medical surveys of the
returning Bikinians. (204) 05 May 1969 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Because of the "overwhelming concentration" of thyroid nodules within the group of children exposed during Castle Bravo. Conard rules out familial and environmental factors as possible causes. In addition, he notes that the Rongelap children are "well within ... the latent period for cancer development." (205)
19 Aug 1969 AGREEMENT The T.T. high commissioner and Enewetak people's representatives amend the 19 November 1956 Agreement in Principle Regarding the Use of Enewetak Atoll to give the high commissioner of the T.T. the power to pay out "said amounts from the principal of the trust estate" to beneficiaries. (206)
26 Aug 1969 - 21 Sep 1969 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Five Marshallese are brought to BNL for evaluation and surgery at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital. Three of the cases are diagnosed as malignant. The case of a 34-year-old woman from Utirik is not attributed to radiation exposure, however, because of the "low dose received and the lack of thyroid abnormalities ...in Utirik children." Dr. Ezra Riklon, who accompanies the Marshallese, will return to the Marshall Islands and supervise the hormone treatments of the people. (207)
13 Oct 1969 RELOCATION The AEC certifies that the Bikini cleanup project has been "satisfactorily completed." (208)
14 Dec 1969 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY The Bikinians petition the T.T. high commissioner for their immediate return to Bikini and $100,000 in further compensation for damages to their atoll and the discomforts they suffered from relocation. (209)
Mar 1970 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conard of BNL conducts annual medical examinations of the Marshallese and finds no new serious cases of thyroid disease. Seventeen of the 19 children exposed on Rongelap have thyroid dysfunction as do a significant number of adults. (210)
28-29 Apr 1970 PLUTONIUM RADIATION RELOCATION At a series of meetings with T.T. officials at Saipan, AEC representatives Cluff of the NV and Martin Biles of the AEC/DOS discuss the need for additional surveys of Bikini because of concern about plutonium in the soil, the status of agricultural and construction programs, and possible techniques for reducing expected exposure levels. T.T. officials decide to delay resettlement until 1973 when people would be self-supporting and agree to wishes of the Bikini people that all houses be built on Bikini instead of Eneu but promise that no houses will be constructed in the interior of Bikini Island. (211)
07 - 08 May 1970 MEDICAL The AEC/ACBM recommends the development of mechanisms for paying the Utirik population as research subjects in order to assure their continued cooperation in the investigation of the Marshallese exposed to fallout in 1954. Because of the low dose of radiation received by the Utirik people, this payment must not be viewed as compensation for radiation exposure. The ACBM notes the necessity for continued medical care of the Rongelap people. The committee considers the assignment of a paramedical person on a continuing basis to detect and manage the late effects of the radiation exposure and to ensure the validity of the continuing investigation of medical findings. (212)
May 1970 - Jun 1970 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR PLUTONIUM RADIATION A follow-up radiological survey of the major islands in the Bikini Atoll is conducted by representatives of the AEC, the University of Washington, and the USPHS. The primary mission is soil and air particulate sampling. Other tasks include collection of cistern water and other environmental samples and monitoring of scrap metal and potential locations of sand and coral aggregate used to make concrete for housing. Members of the survey team include three people from the University Washington, three from the Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory, two from the AEC NV and one from the AEC/DOS. This is the first collection of air samples on Bikini. Levels of plutonium in the air are two orders of magnitude below FRC Guides. (213)
RADIATION In a letter to Peter T. Coleman of the T.T., AEC/DOS recommends that
clean coral aggregate from a supply stored on Aerokoijul and Aerokoj
Islands in southern Bikini Atoll complex be used for house construction
on Bikini Atoll. (214) 1970 AGREEMENT RADIATION The AEC promises $16,000 in "inconvenience money" to the people of Utirik. (215) Urine bioassay sampling is conducted from people coming and going from Bikini Island. Pooled urine is analyzed for strontium 90, cesium 137 and plutonium 239. (216)
1971 CLAIMS PLUTONIUM RADIATION Urine bioassay sampling is conducted from people coming and going from Bikini Island. Pooled urine is analyzed for strontium 90, cesium 137 and plutonium 239 and plutonium 240. (217) Micronesian Legal Services Corporation (MLSC) is established in the
T.T. and funded by the Office of Economic Opportunity. (218) 17 Jun 1971 RADIATION RELOCATION In response to an inquiry by T.T. High Commissioner Edward E. Johnston
regarding the radiation safety of the Peter-Oboe (Aerokoijul-Aerokoj)
complex, Martin Biles, AEC/DOS, responds that it is safe to plant coconut
trees on Aerokoj, Aerokoijul and Bikdrin but not on Eneman. AEC/DOS
recommends using the causeway joining Lele to Bikdrin as the dividing
line between the area that may be planted and that which should be restricted.
There are no restrictions on digging foundations on Bikini Island, but
AEC/DOS recommends that water from wells on Bikini Island should be
analyzed to insure its potability. AEC/DOS urges that residents not
rely on groundwater as a source of drinking water. (219) Jul 1971 RADIATION The NV and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) representatives participate
with personnel of the Air Force Pacific Cratering Experiment (PACE)
program in a preliminary site selection visit to Enewetak. They identify
Runit Island as a significant and potentially serious rad-hazard area
after finding there the highest measurements of gamma, plutonium, and
scrap metal of all locations surveyed."
(220) 22 Jul 1971 ADMINISTRATION Maj. Gen. E. B. Giller, assistant general manager for military Application
of the AEC, directs Robert E. Miller, NV manager, not to use weapon
program funds for Bikini and Enewetak radiological surveys and cleanup
activities. (221) FY 1972 - FY 1982 ADMINISTRATION The Pacific Area Support Office (PASO) reports that during this decade
its activities in the Marshall islands included ship support; providing
DOE representation on sensitive missions; administration of the University
of Hawaii contract; and general and logistical support for the biomedical
and environmental programs. (222) 25 Jan 1972 MEDICAL In response to ejection from the T.T. of a Japanese Medical team which
he had invited to the Marshall Islands, Micronesian Representative Ataji
Balos speaks out in the Congress of Micronesia charging that the U.S.
knowingly exposed the natives of Rongelap and Utirik to the 1954 fallout
so the U.S. could Develop medical capabilities to treat people who might
be exposed to radiation during a war. He alleges that the Marshallese
were chosen because they are remote brown-skinned natives and that they
have been receiving questionable medical treatment, aimed more at collecting
medical data than at restoring the health of the people. He introduces
a bill calling for the establishment of a special congressional committee
to look into the plight of these people.
(223) Mar 1972 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Accusing the BNL medical team of deception and of using them as guinea
pigs, the Rongelapese boycott the BNL medical services, according to
an investigation by Dr. Henry Kohn. Thus, the medical survey team led
by Conard is unable to carry wut its annual examination of the Marshallese.
(224) 16 Mar 1972 RADIATION RELOCATION Tommy McCraw, Martin Biles, Roger Ray, and representatives from the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) meet with Ambassador Franklin Williams, the President's representative for Micronesian status negotiations, and his staff to discuss the rehabilitation of Enewetak Atoll. Williams states that he would like to announce at the 2 April session of the Micronesian status negotiations that Enewetak Atoll is being returned to its former residents. The ambassador is worried about confrontation with the Enewetak people. AEC representatives discuss the differences between the situation at Enewetak and that at Bikini and the need for a radiological survey of Enewetak. (225) 26 Mar 1972 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY Micronesian P.L 4C-33 creates from the Micronesian legislature a Special
Joint Committee Concerning Rongelap and Utirik. The committee is responsible
for investigating the effects of radiation on the people of Rongelap
and Utirik Atolls, and is charged with securing medical assistance and
compensation for those injured from radiation exposure. Olympio T. Borja,
Marianas senator, is chairman. Other committee members are Representatives
Hans Williander of Truk and Timothy Olkeriil of Palau.
(226) 18 Apr 1972 AGREEMENT High Commissioner Edward E. Johnston and U.S. Ambassador Franklin
Haydn Williams, of the DOI, announce that the U.S. government is prepared
to release Enewetak Atoll to the T.T. at the end of 1973. The announcement
acknowledges the necessity of survey, cleanup, and rehabilitation procedures
such as those done on Bikini. Parry, Japtan, and Aniyaanii are to receive
first priority in cleanup and rehabilitation. The DOD, with technical
support of the AEC, is to conduct the cleanup. The U.S. plans research
and development tests on the Atoll that should be completed by the end
of 1973. (227) May 1972 CONTRACTOR RADIATION A survey is conducted on Bikini Atoll following planting of coconuts
on Bikini and Eneu Islands and the start of house construction on Bikini.
The survey covers air, plant, soil, and animal sampling and external
radiation measurements. Radionuclide levels are found to be decreasing
slowly. The team is led by the University of Washington, with participation
by scientists from the EPA, the Western Environmental Research Laboratory
(WERL), and the AEC. (228) 10-24 May 72 RADIATION A survey team of AEC, DOD, and EPA personnel visits Enewetak Atoll
to determine the nature and extent of the necessary cleanup and a cost
estimate. The team finds a significant radiological hazard existing
on six islands: Bogallus, Engebi, Aomon, Biijiri, Runit, and Parry.
Results of the survey lead to a cost estimate of as much as $40 million
and a conclusion that Runit Island and perhaps Enjebi may be so contaminated
that it may not be "economically feasible to make them safe for
human use." (229) 11-17 May 1972 PLUTONIUM RADIATION An AEC team conducts a preliminary radiological survey and locates
surface plutonium contamination on Runit Island. This includes plutonium-bearing
sand layer outcropping on the ocean side of the mid-island area, plutonium
fragments and grains on the island surface, and contaminated scrap metal
throughout the island. (230) 17 May 1972 CONTRACTOR RADIATION T.T. officials, escorting a group of Enewetakese council members and
their lawyers, and Roger Ray, NV assistant manager for operations, arrive
on Enewetak. The AEC survey team advises Ray on the possibility of high
alpha contamination on Runit Island, and Ray briefs DNA PACE personnel
and workers just arriving from Scripps Institute of Oceanography (SIO)
on preliminary survey findings. The Scripps people leave, and the PACE
people remain to continue preparations for high explosive cratering
experiments. (231) 20 May 1972 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION RELOCATION At the close-out meeting for the Marshallese visit to Enewetak the T.T. officials and Enewetakese leaders want an early return of Enewetakese to Enewetak. The Enewetakese wish to draw up specifications for rehabilitation and express dissatisfaction with the continued use of their land. Ray agrees to convey to appropriate authorities the need for central coordination of all future actions relating to Enewetak and the necessity of keeping the Marshallese and T.T. administration advised of U.S. actions and intentions. NV manager Robert E. Miller requests "the establishment at the Washington level of a single manager for all future United States actions pertaining to Eniwetok." (232) Ray returns to Kwajalein and recommends to Air Force authorities a
quarantine of Runit Island to prevent dispersion of contamination because
the road between the dock and the PACE work area passes through a highly
contaminated area." (233) 24 May 1972 RADIATION Runit Island is quarantined and the Air Force orders a cessation of
all operations there. Only minimum essential personnel are authorized
access to the island until NV issues recommendations. (234) 26 Jul 1972 - 02 Aug 1972 RADIATION A joint AEC-DOD team visits Enewetak Atoll to survey those portions
of Runit Island to be used in a PACE cratering experiment to determine
necessary precautions for conducting the planned PACE experiment or
for relocating the experiment. The eight-member surveillance team consists
of two people from Air Force Weapons Laboratory, three from the DNA,
two from the AEC, and one from the WERL. (235) 01 Aug 1972 ADMINISTRATION The AEC assigns the assistant general manager for military application
(AGMMA) "the overall authority and responsibility within the AEC
for coordinating interagency and intra-agency matters related to the
rehabilitation of the Eniwetok Atoll." Later in August the AGMMA
assigns the NV responsibility for all AEC field operations associated
with the rehabilitation. (236) 17 Aug 1972 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION AEC and DNA representatives meet to review available information and
develop recommendations to assist in the planning for the cleanup of
Enewetak. They conclude that actions required to return Enewetak to
the T.T. fall into three phases: planning, cleanup, and rehabilitation.
They decide that cleanup can be accomplished without interfering with
the PACE test series and that the single manager concept will provide
the most effective organization for the cleanup. (237) 22-23 Aug 1972 RELOCATION DOI officials meet with Ujelang leaders and representatives from MLSC
at T.T. headquarters about the return of the people of Enewetak. They
discuss the goal of returning people to Japtan "as soon as practicable"
and the minimum requirements for moving people there. (238) Sep 1972 AGREEMENT MEDICAL The medical survey team is reactivated to resume examinations of the
Marshallese. This reactivation follows an agreement with the Special
Investigating Committee of the Micronesian Congress to send a team of
independent, international physician-observers to join the medical survey
team and report to the committee on the value of the medical survey
and the health status of the exposed Marshallese. The Rongelapese accept
the BNL medical services after an international committee issues "a
relatively favorable report," according to Kohn. (239) 07 Sep 1972 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION As a result of an interagency meeting on Enewetak, the AEC will fund
the precleanup radiological survey; the DOD, the radiological and nonradiological
cleanup; and the DOI the rehabilitation costs. The manager, NV, is assigned
operational responsibility for the survey. The DNA will provide logistical
support. (240) 02 Oct 1972 RADIATION RELOCATION After the AEC announces that only a limited number of Bikini coconut
crabs can be eaten because they are radioactive, the Kili council votes
against returning the entire community to Bikini but allows those who
wish to return. Three Bikini families move back to Bikini with approximately
50 Marshallese construction and maintenance workers. (241) 04 Oct 1972 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR According to the planning and operations directive for the 1972 Enewetak
radiological survey, the AEC/DMA is to coordinate AEC policy relating
to the survey and provide overall Washington direction; NV is the primary
organization to implement the survey; the division of biology and environmental
research (DBER) is to assess "the radiological implications of
sources of direct radiation and food chain-to-man paths." The AEC
DOS is responsible for similar work relating to cleanup operations.
The Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLL), LASL, HASL, and the University
of Washington are to be involved in the evaluation of data. (242) 05 Oct 1972 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY As a result of litigation, People of Enewetak vs. Laird (Project PACE),
the judge places an injunction on PACE activities. The AEC is not a
defendant, and radiological studies are not affected. The Air Force
general counsel recommends advising the AEC of the injunction and urging
the AEC to use methods in cleanup studies not prohibited in the injunction.
(243) 12 Oct 1972 CONTRACTOR RADIATION The AEC Enewetak radiological survey begins. The LLL radiochemistry
division leader is technical director to the manager, NV. NV provides
radiological support to H&N for the DNA engineering survey of Enewetak.
Within the first week activities are suspended because of Typhoon Olga.
(244) 08 Nov 1972 RADIATION Survey activities resume at Enewetak Atoll.
(245) 14 Nov 1972 MEDICAL Two Marshallese females, 19 and 29 years old, undergo successful surgery
to remove thyroid nodules at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital.
(246) 15 Nov 1972 MEDICAL A 19-year-old male, Lekoj Anjain, exposed to fallout from the 1954
Bikini weapons test, dies from cancer at the National Institutes of
Health (NIH). NIH confirms the diagnosis of leukemia discovered during
the 1972 medical examination. (247) 16-17 Nov 1972 CONTRACTOR RADIATION Representatives from DOI, DNA, AEC, and H&N meet with T.T. officials
on Kwajalein to allow representatives of the Enewetak people to ask
questions about the surveys being conducted on Enewetak. The U.S. government
representatives assure Congressman Balos and Chips Barry, an attorney,
that the AEC radiological surveys have nothing to do with the PACE program.
(248) 30 Nov 1972 ADMINISTRATION The joint Chiefs of Staff designate the director, DNA, as the DOD
project manager for cleanup of Enewetak. (249) 39 Late 1972 MEDICAL RADIATION According to urine bioassays from people coming to and going from Bikini Island, cesium 137 concentration shows an increase by a factor of four over 1970 results and strontium 90 levels increase by a factor of two. The T.T. begins a program of sending monthly shipments of food to Bikini. (250) A Rongelap male dies of carcinoma of the stomach. This may be related to radiation exposure, according to BNL. A physician from BNL is stationed in the Marshall Islands as a resident
physician. His responsibilities include monitoring the thyroid treatment
program; visiting Rongelap, Utirik, and Bikini Atolls every three to
four months; and assisting the T.T. medical services with the care of
Rongelap and Utirik patients at the hospitals at Ebeye and Majuro.
(251) 1973 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR RADIATION A Radiological Assessment Review Group (RARG), organized by the director, DBER, reviews the adequacy and suffiency of the Enewetak radiological survey data in order to oversee evaluations of the survey. .Members are not directly involved in the actual survey. These members are N. F. Barr, DBER, Chair; T. F. McCraw, AEC/DOS; B. Shleien, PHS; C. L Weaver, EPA, R. B. Leachman, DOD; P. F. Gustafson, ANL; C. R. Richmond, LASL; and A. H. Seymour, University of Washington. (252) Urine bioassays from people coming and going from Bikini Island show
cesium 137 in urine higher than in 1970 by a factor of about ten and
an increase in strontium 90 by a factor of four. This information is
provided as testimony during House Appropriations Committee hearings
in spring 1978. It is taken from a BNL report 50424, September 1975.
(253) 14 Feb 1973 RADIATION Field operations of the Enewetak radiological survey are completed.
(254) 21 Mar 1973 - 12 Apr 1973 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Conard of BNL and his team conduct the annual medical survey. No new
cases of leukemia or blood disorders are discovered. New thyroid abnormalities
are detected, including three which might be related to the 1954 fallout
and three that are probably unrelated. The thyroid nodules in all but
one case are scheduled to be removed surgically in Cleveland Within
several weeks. (255) 11 Apr 1973 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY Micronesian P.L. 5-52 provides for certain care and benefits to the
people of Rongelap and Utirik Atolls exposed to the 1 March 1954 H-bomb
test fallout; "for care and benefits to certain other people from
Rongelap and Utirik, and for other purposes." The high commissioner
of the T.T. is directed to "seek an executive agreement with the
Atomic Energy Commission whereby expenses incurred under the provisions
of this act will be defrayed ... by the Atomic Energy Commission."
In response, the DOI consults with the AEC/DBER. The AEC responds with
a willingness to fund "research-related services" as a part
of its authorized responsibility. (256) 16 Apr 1973 RELOCATION The people of Enewetak adopt a resolution that the DOD be the sole agency in charge of the cleanup and rehabilitation of their atoll in the belief that they would be most effective in ensuring an early and safe return of the Enewetakese to their atoll. The DOD responds that it is necessary and most effective to functionally assign responsibilities for the total rehabilitation process between departments. (257) 03 May 1973 ADMINISTRATION Gen. Frank A. Camm of AEC headquarters assigns the office of Mahlon
E. Gates, NV, the responsibility for a study to define the probable
lifestyle patterns of the Enewetak people subsequent to their return
to Enewetak. This study will be used in conjunction with the radiological
report to analyze dose assessment and develop recommendations for cleanup.
(258) 31 May 1973 CONTRACTOR RELOCATION Representatives of the Enewetak people, Theodore Mitchell and Hemos
Jack of the Micronesian Legal Services Corporation and Smith Gideon,
magistrate of Ujelang Atoll, meet with representatives of NV, the LLL,
and the University of Washington. They approve NV plans for a visit
to Ujelang in June to study probable lifestyle patterns of resettled
Enewetakese and express interest in an early radiological certification
and some resettlement of Japtan. NV provides data on external exposure
rates but stresses an inability to judge constraints on a return to
Japtan pending analysis of survey results on food-chain pathways. (259) Jul 1973 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR An AEC task group is established by the director, AEC/DOS, to review
survey results and prepare cleanup and rehabilitation recommendations
for consideration by the AEC. Members include T. McCraw (AEC/DOS), W.
Nervik (LLL), D. Wilson (LLL), and W. Schroebel (DBER). They work with
staffs from NV and LLL involved with the survey, as well as AEC staff
from DMA; DBER; division of waste management and transportation (DWMT);
division of radiological safety (DRS); representatives from the DOD,
the DOI, and the EPA; and advisors from T.T. and BNL. (260) 20 Aug 1973 RADIATION Representatives of the T.T., MLSC, DNA, AEC, and H&N meet on Majuro
to inform the district administrator on the progress of the survey efforts
and on the results of a field trip to Ujelang. AEC representatives report
that the Enewetak people were helpful in providing information on living
patterns and dietary considerations which will be incorporated into
the radiological survey report. (261) 18 Oct 1973 ADMINISTRATION The director, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provides guidance
to the AEC, the DOD, and the DOI on inclusion of funds in the FY 1975
budget for cleanup and rehabilitation of Enewetak. The FY 1975 budget
should "show continuing Administration commitment to the clean-up
and rehabilitation of the Atoll, but consistent with current uncertainty
regarding the final detailed clean-up and rehabilitation plan."
Agency responsibilities identified are: the DOD for maintaining ongoing
facilities and operations and cleanup at Enewetak; the DOI for rehabilitation;
and the AEC for radiological monitoring and survey. Subsequently AGMMA
calls for a clarification of terminology between "radiological
control," a DNA responsibility, and "radiological monitoring"
an AEC responsibility. (262) 1974-1975 CONTRACTOR RADIATION The AEC/DBER sponsors a research program conducted by LLL and the
University of Hawaii to study the groundwater on several islets in the
Enewetak Atoll in order to characterize the ground water for possible
use by returning Marshallese and to investigate the hydrology and recycling
of radionuclides in an atoll environment. Drilling for wells takes place
in mid-1974, and sampling programs are carried out in 1974 and 1975.
(263) 01 Jan 1974 ADMINISTRATION Host manager responsibility for Enewetak Auxiliary Airfield is transferred
from the Department of the Air Force to the DNA. (264) 09 Jan 1974 ADMINISTRATION At the request of MLSC, the signing of documents to transfer control
of Enewetak Atoll from the DOD to the T.T. is delayed to allow representatives
of the people of Enewetak to review the document.
(265) 27 Feb 1974 CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP Senate joint Resolution No. 90, H.D.I, is adopted by the Fifth Congress
of Micronesia, Second Regular Session "Requesting United States
Congressional funding of the Bikini Rehabilitation Projects be separate
and distinct from annual United States Congress Grant Funds for the
T.T. of the Pacific Islands." (266) 28 Feb 1974 AGREEMENT CLAIMS The Special Joint Committee Concerning Rongelap and Utirik Atolls
reports to the Fifth Congress of Micronesia on compensation for the
people of Rongelap and Utirik. According to the report, the AEC complied
with the committee's recommendation to send an AEC representative on
the 1974 medical survey. The AEC also agreed to another committee recommendation
to supply money for Micronesian P.L. 5-52 by allocating $20,000 for
the first year. The committee also wanted the AEC to pay the "inconvenience
money" promised in 1970, and the AEC indicated that it "is
ready to provide $18,212 for the 157 people of Utirik who were exposed....There
will be no release of liability for the AEC or the U.S. Government if
the people take this money." The AEC has also agreed to explain
radiation to the people of Bikini and Enewetak before they are returned
to their islands. (267) Apr 1974 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR MEDICAL PLUTONIUM RADIATION Roger Ray, assistant manager of NV in charge of the Enewetak radiological survey, and Walter Nervik of LLL, technical director of the survey, travel to the Marshall Islands to explain the technical information contained in the recently published Enewetak Radiological Survey (NVO-140) to representatives of the T.T. and the Enewetak people. (268) Personnel from the LRE and BNL collect samples on Utirik, Rongelap and Bikini Atolls as part of the DOS portion of the LRE Pacific Radioecology Program to determine the kinds and amounts of radionuclides distributed in the foods, plants, animals, and soil of the central Pacific and supply them to the agencies involved in calculating dose assessment for people living in the central Pacific. (269) The first in vivo counting of cesium 137 is taken for Bikini residents.
Cesium 137 values are about the same as 1973. Strontium 90 levels are
down to about 1970 levels. Plutonium 239 and plutonium 240 levels are
higher by a factor of five. (270) May 1974 CLAIMS RELOCATION A group of Bikini people refuse to return to the atoll on 25 May 1974
until they receive appropriate compensation for the past 25 years. (271) 14 May 1974 RADIATION John W. McEnery, DNA deputy director of operations and administration,
disagrees with the AEC task group recommendations for cleanup and rehabilitation
of Enewetak. He regards the recommendations as "an unduly restrictive
application of criteria that are largely arbitrary and probably inapplicable"
and "not in accord with the wishes and probable needs of the Enewetak
people." McEnery states, "The radiological and other safety
conditions upon their return should apply to those local conditions,
not necessarily those of the U.S. population with its different radiological
conditions and its greater uncertainties of exposure." (272) 3 Jun 1974 ADMINISTRATION James Liverman, the AEC assistant general manager for biomedical and
environmental research and safety programs, proposes to Mahlon E. Gates,
director, NV, that NV be assigned responsibility for programmatic coordination
of the AEC's activities in the Marshall lslands. (273) 19 Jun 1974 PLUTONIUM RADIATION The AEC task group issues recommendations for cleanup and rehabilitation
of Enewetak Atoll. The radiation criteria guides for cleanup actions
include: whole body and bone marrow-0.25 rem/yr; thyroid-0.75 rem/yr;
bone-0.75 rem/yr; gonads-4 rem in 30 yrs. The group concludes that guidance
for cleanup of plutonium-contaminated soil can only be developed on
a case-by-basis. The group's guidance for plutonium 239 cleanup operations
at Enewetak is: less than 40 pCi/gm of soil-corrective action not required;
40 to 400 pCi/gm of soil-corrective action determined on a case-by-case
basis; greater than 400 pCi/gm of soil-corrective action required. (274) 25 Jun 1974 CLAIMS The AEC pays the T.T. $18,212 to be dispersed in equal payments of
$116 to each exposed inhabitant of Rongelap or their heirs. (275) Jul 1974 ADMINISTRATION RELOCATION The DOI supports the request by people of Enewetak that an advance
party of about 50 people from Ujelang be allowed to return to Japtan
Island and requests that the AEC address the safety aspects of the proposed
return and establish guidelines and restrictions to ensure the safety
of the returnees. Liverman responds that the AEC would not recommend
the return of people prior to cleanup and certification because of radiological
hazards in other parts of the atoll but that it would not object to
a return before cleanup if the T.T. can assure certain restrictive measures.
He points out that the request is "an extension of what we consider
to be the AEC's role in the original interagency effort, namely to prepare
recommendations on whether the radiological conditions were such that
a safe return could be made and on radiological criteria for cleanup"
and recommends that the DOI should obtain the views of the DOD and the
EPA. (276) 12 Aug 1974 PLUTONIUM RADIATION The AEC approves SECY 75-81, which contains recommended radiological
criteria for Enewetak Atoll. Meeting these criteria necessitates that
village sites be confined to the southern islands; that growing of food,
except coconuts, be confined to the southern islands, and that the quarantine
of Runit be continued until plutonium contamination is removed. The
DNA responds that the proposed criteria are too restrictive and that
radiation standards for the general public are not appropriate for the
small population of Enewetak. (277) Sep 1974 AGREEMENT RELOCATION Stanley S. Carpenter, director of territorial affairs of the DOI,
announces that 50 people are to be permitted to return to live on Japtan
at the earliest possible time, subject to four safety restrictions:
no visits are permitted on the northern islands from Runit to Biken;
any scrap collection and stockpiling must be approved by the district
administrator's representative; visits to Enewetak must be coordinated
between the district administrator's representative and the Enewetak
base site manager, and visits to other southern islands can be made
only with approval of and instructions from the district administrator's
representative. Representatives of the T.T., the DOI, and the AEC request
that the Enewetak Council express in writing that they understand and
will observe these restrictions, which they do by adopting an ordinance.
(278) 02 Sep 1974 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION RELOCATION Representatives of the DNA, the DOI, and the AEC meet with the Enewetak
Council, their advisors, members of the Congress of Micronesia, and
staff of the T.T. at Enewetak on the recommended radiological criteria.
The DNA submits a Draft Environmental Impact Statement containing the
AEC recommendation as the preferred option. The recommended alternative
calls for removing the most seriously contaminated soil and radioactive,
hazardous, or obstructive debris and entombing it in one or two craters
on Runit. (279) 27 Sep 1974 ADMINISTRATION Commenting upon the proposed NV role as programmatic coordinator,
L. Joe Deal, assistant director for health protection, AEC/DOS, responds,
"The activities in the Pacific need better inhouse and interagency
coordination. Since programmatic direction for research is maintained
at Headquarters, the logical place to proceed with this coordination
is here." (280) 11 Oct 1974 ADMINISTRATION President Gerald Ford creates the Energy Research and Development
Administration (ERDA) by signing the Energy Reorganization Act, P.L.
93-438. Nov 1974- Dec 1974 CONTRACTOR RADIATION LRE and BNL staff collect samples from Utirik, Rongerik, Rongelap,
Ailinginae, and Bikini for the AEC/DOS portion of the Pacific Radioecological
Program. (281) 08 Nov 1974 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION RELOCATION The AEC/DOS seeks a closer relationship with the DOI on Bikini resettlement.
Martin B. Biles, AEC/DOS, is concerned that recommendations on Bikini
rehabilitations are not being followed strictly, including the use of
aggregate from Bikini for house construction. Biles recommends that
any additional housing be constructed on Eneu, or at least that any
further construction on Bikini be deferred until radiological consequences
are evaluated. As for Enewetak, because of current funding difficulties
Biles suggests that the DOI re-evaluate the advisability of an early
return to Japtan. (282) Dec 1974 RELOCATION A field trip by AEC personnel to Ujelang to discuss the Enewetak master
plan with the Enewetak people results in the latter's acceptance of
the AEC recommendation that Enjebi Island should not be resettled along
with islands in the south because it needs further study. According
to the master plan, Enewetak Atoll and Medren Islands will be the major
residential islands. Following the trip the AEC staff reworks the master
plan. (283) 04 Dec 1974 RADIATION Carpenter of the DOI denies the rumor that coral other than that from
the Aerokoijul and Aerokoj Islands in southern Bikini Atoll is being
used in building construction. The DOI position is that the AEC must
be completely involved with the Bikini project; he urges that the AEC
undertake a comprehensive radiological assessment of Bikini, such as
that done on Enewetak, as soon as possible so that the DOI/T.T. rehabilitation
program can proceed with the necessary radiological data. (284) 07 Dec 1974 RELOCATION The Enewetak Council adopts a resolution requesting that Stanley Carpenter,
director of the DOI office of territorial affairs, grant the people
of Enewetak title and ownership of Ujelang Atoll. (285) 13-15 Jan 1975 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR RELOCATION At an H&N Bikini-Enewetak conference a Bikini advisory group is
established to coordinate activities of Bikini rehabilitation with members
from the DOI (Brown), T.T. (Coleman), the Marshall Islands (de Brum),
the AEC (Biles, Ray for logistics, McCraw for radiological concerns),
and H&N (Gilmore). The ERDA is to prepare a radiological evaluation/assessment
from the draft Bikini Master Plan, as well as a plan for an aerial survey
of Bikini Atoll and a backup plan for a ground survey in case necessary
support for the aerial survey cannot be obtained. (286) 17 Jan 1975 ADMINISTRATION Gates, manager, NV, recommends "that NV be assigned responsibility
for the coordination of all the Commission's (ERDA's) activities in
the Marshall Islands and that this assignment be made known to Headquarters
staff as well as to concerned field offices and contractors" and
that arrangements be made to assure that NV has the "opportunity
to review and comment upon all proposals to conduct research, studies
and related activities in the Marshalls". (287) 19 Jan 1975 ADMINISTRATION The ERDA is activated. 20 Jan 1975 ADMINISTRATION The role of NV in the Marshall Islands program is decided at a meeting
in the office of James L Liverman, ERDA acting deputy assistant administrator
for environment and safety. NV will provide overall management of logistics
support, coordination, and scheduling of Pacific program-related activities;
serve as liaison among participants; review, evaluate, and comment on
plans, policy matters, reports and publications relating to activities
in the Pacific; and recommend programmatic changes and levels of effort
to headquarters. Headquarters will make final policy and program decisions.
(288) 06 Feb 1975 ADMINISTRATION With the completion of the 1974 Enewetak radiological survey and the beginning of the clean-up phase, Gen. Ernest Graves, the ERDA director of military application, recommends: I believe it now appropriate and timely to relieve DMA of its Enewetak
responsibilities. The Assistant Administrator for Environment and Safety
concurs in this view and will assume the lead within the ERDA for all
Enewetak matters. (289) 19 Feb 1975 ADMINISTRATION L. Joe Deal, assistant director for health protection, ERDA/DOS, does not concur with Graves's proposal for a transfer of programmatic responsibility for Enewetak by saying, As long as DOD is active in the cleanup program, we believe DMA should
continue its role. Until the cleanup is completed, we don't know what
problems may arise that would need the assistance of the DOD weapons
test laboratories and contractors. (290) 07 Mar 1975 ADMINISTRATION With input from the ERDA, the DOI requests that the DOD fund logistical
support for an additional radiological survey of Bikini Atoll.
(291) Apr 1975 CONTRACTOR PLUTONIUM RADIATION LRE and BNL staff collect samples from Kwajalein, Bikini, and Wotho Atolls for the DOS portion of the Pacific Radiological Program. (292) Urine bioassays from Bikini show levels of plutonium 239 and plutonium
240 higher than 1971 by a factor of ten. According to later information
these results are suspect because the samples may have been contaminated.
(See 8 Dec 76). (293) 09 Apr 1975 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Nelson Anjain, magistrate of Rongelap village, signs a letter to Conard
that states that the people of Rongelap do not want to see him again
because he treats them as research subjects rather than as people. The
letter adds that the Rongelapese want a doctor to live on the island
permanently and no longer want to be under American control. Subsequently,
Anjain admits that a member of "friends of Micronesia" wrote
the letter. (294) May 1975 RADIATION The EPA accepts the DNA's "Environmental Impact Statement on
Cleanup, Rehabilitation, Resettlement of Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands
(April 1975)." (295) 29 May 1975 ADMINISTRATION The DOD rejects the DOI's request for logistical support for the radiological
survey of Bikini Atoll because the DOI does not have the funds to reimburse
the support costs. (296) Jun 1975 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR RADIATION The 1975 Bikini Atoll Radiological Survey is conducted by the ERDA
and ERDA contractor ground monitors because no funding is available
from the DOD for an aerial survey. The purpose is to conduct a survey
of external gamma radiation levels on Bikini and Eneu Islands to supplement
BNL data. The information will be used to evaluate potential radiation
doses that might be received by returning Bikinians, to provide information
to advise the DOI on location of Phase II homes, and to conduct a soil,
plant, and water sampling program. The NV field survey leader is responsible
for management of survey operations. The technical director (LLL) has
full authority and responsibility for the technical plan and advises
and supports the NV field survey leader. The survey team includes representatives
of the AEC/DOS; office of assistant manager for operations (AMO), NV;
LLL; the EPA; BNL; and the University of Washington. Analysis of samples
is done at The McClellan Laboratory and the LLL. Survey results indicate
that external exposure rates on Bikini Island are highly variable. (297) 13 Jun 1975 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY P.L. 94-34 authorizes an ex gratia payment of $3 million to the people
of Bikini Atoll "in recognition of the hardship suffered by the
people of Bikini due to displacement from their atoll since 1946."
This payment is to be placed in a trust fund. (298) 25 Jun 1975 ADMINISTRATION At an interagency meeting ERDA officials detail a plan to conduct
a survey of the atolls affected by nuclear testing at a one-time project
cost of $3 million. The ERDA, responsible for the technical aspects
of the survey, is committed to absorb approximately one-half of this
amount. As a result the DOI renews its request to the DOD for funding
logistical support for the survey. (299) Aug 1975 RADIATION The ERDA issues preliminary reports on the June 1975 survey. The tentative
conclusion is that houses already constructed on Bikini Island could
be occupied and thus would keep radiation doses within guidelines but
that any additional house construction should be on Eneu Island. The
survey confirms that radioactivity in the interior of Bikini Island
is too high for siting future houses. Results also show that food plants
are recycling radionuclides from the soil. Subsequently residents are
cautioned not to eat locally grown foods. (300)
23 Aug 1975 RELOCATION The DOI announces postponement of the planned return of 150 Bikinians
to their atoll in September for six months pending analysis and evaluation
of the results of the June survey. (301) Sep 1975 MEDICAL The BNL issues a 20-year review of the medical findings in the Marshall
Islanders exposed to fallout in 1954. The BNL concludes that because
thyroid abnormalities continue, surveillance of thyroid effects of fallout
should be maintained. (302) 10 Sep 1975 ADMINISTRATION CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP RADIATION James L Liverman, ERDA assistant administrator for environment and safety, on 10 September and W. E. Shedd, DNA deputy director for operations and administration, on 28 August sign the Agreement between the Defense Nuclear Agency and the Energy Research and Development Administration regarding the Interagency Support for Cleanup of Enewetak Atoll. The fulfillment of the agreement is contingent upon congressional funding of the cleanup. According to the agreement's terms, the ERDA will provide directly or through contractors technical and scientific advice to the DNA on radiological activities. The agreement states It is not possible to reduce the radioactive contamination to pre-test levels. It is possible... to rehabilitate the atoll in a manner that will assure the safety of the returning people by employing certain minimal and acceptable restrictions on land use and locally grown foods, and by maintaining a continuing surveillance of the residual radioactivity....The guidelines for radiological cleanup recommended by AEC/ERDA are based on Federal standards.... The determination as to when the DOD cleanup activities have been successfully completed will be a joint DNA/ERDA decision. According to the agreement, ERDA also will pursue such programmatic
activities as establishing baseline data for radiological protection
of the Enewetakese, conducting biomedical and environmental monitoring
on Enewetak Atoll, and agricultural research and experimentation.
(303) 17 Sep 1975 ADMINISTRATION The DOD cites the decision to postpone resettlement of Bikini as an
indication that a new radiological survey of Bikini similar to that
performed at Enewetak is necessary. The DOD thus indicates a willingness
to consider funding logistical support for the survey. Prior to making
any commitments, the deputy secretary of defense calls for a comprehensive
review of plans and programs that deal with the residual problems of
nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific. (304) Oct 1975 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY RADIATION The people of Bikini file suit in U.S. District Court for the District
of Hawaii with the People of Bikini et al vs. Robert C. Seamans, Jr.,
et al. and request that the court order a radiological aerial survey
of Bikini. They subsequently amend the original motion and ask the court
to enjoin the defendants from proceeding further with the Bikini Resettlement
Program until the government complies with the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The plaintiffs want the government
to begin an environmental impact study and the court to prohibit the
government from reprogramming funds earmarked for the Bikini Resettlement
Program. The Marshallese also ask the court to require the government
to submit to the court a plan for completing a radiological study of
the Bikini people. (305) 09 Oct 1975 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION After Martin B. Biles, director of ERDA/DOS, and Roger Ray agree that
the NV can fulfill the tasks and responsibilities of ERDA under the
DNA-ERDA Enewetak cleanup agreement, Biles designates the NV as the
office in charge of carrying out the ERDA portion of that agreement.
(306) 1976 CONTRACTOR RADIATION PLUTONIUM WEAPON TESTING The BNL initiates an external radiation survey program for Rongelap, Rongerik, Ailuk, Wotje, and Utirik Atolls to gather information on ambient radiation levels from weapon testing in order to make external dose calculations for people living in the surveyed areas. (307) Urine bioassays from Bikini show plutonium 239 and plutonium 240 levels
higher than 1971 by a factor of two. Cesium 137 levels from urine are
higher than 1970 values by a factor of about 30. Strontium 90 levels
are higher by a factor of about five. This information is provided as
testimony during House Appropriations Committee hearings in spring 1978.
It is reportedly from an 11 May 1977 memorandum from Conard to Liverman.
(308) 23 Jan 1976- 20 Feb 1976 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL RADIATION RELOCATION On 23 January Roger Ray, ERDA/NV assistant manager for environment
and safety, recommends to James L Liverman, ERDA director of the division
of biomedical and environmental research (DBER), approval of a BNL medical
team "sick call" to Bikini Island residents. According to
Ray, NV is prepared to support this activity and to assist with an accompanying
information Program. Ray bases his recommendation on requests from Oscar
de Brum, Marshall Islands district administrator, and the Bikini representative
and the awareness of the islanders' apprehension about possible radiation
effects because of their residence on Bikini Island. On 20 February
Liverman approves the BNL visit to Bikini during the regular medical
survey of the Marshall lslands, providing that the Bikinians invite
the team, that their attorney and the T.T. government approve, "and
that adequate explanation be provided to the Bikini people to the effect
that the sick call is not necessitated by any radiation exposure that
they may have received." (309) Apr 1976 CONTRACTOR RADIATION The BNL conducts a survey of external radiation levels on Nam Island,
Bikini Atoll. (310) Sep 1976 CONTRACTOR RADIATION The University of Washington and BNL measure external radiation levels
and collect environmental samples of five atolls. (311) 16 Sep 1976 AGREEMENT LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY The United States and the T.T. sign agreements granting use and occupancy rights to Enewetak to the T.T. but allowing the U.S. to retain residual rights to permit cleanup of the atoll. Under these rights ERDA will conduct a variety of research and monitoring operations as part of its long-term responsibility for long-term radiological surveillance of Enewetak. (312) The T.T. government and representatives of the Enewetak people sign
an agreement that states that the $20 million appropriated for cleanup
of Enewetak Atoll in P.L. 94-367, the DOD Military Construction Appropriations
Act, 1977, "shall constitute the total commitment of the Government
of the United States for the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll. (313)
17 Sep 1976 CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP Fred M. Zeder, DOI, director of territorial affairs, requests that
Congress expedite action on funding for rehabilitation and resettlement
of Enewetak so that the DOI/T.T. rehabilitation project will be able
to share some of the logistic and support operations from DOD cleanup
operations. (314) 08 Dec 1976 CONTRACTOR PLUTONIUM RADIATION The Transuranium Technical Group (TTG) reviews data showing urine
plutonium levels of Bikini residents as 10 times greater than plutonium
levels in the urine of residents in the continental U.S. The TTG questions
the validity of the data because samples were not collected in a way
that avoids possible contamination of urine by plutonium soil in the
air or on the body and clothing of the person providing the sample.
The pooling of urine samples also prevents identification of sampling
discrepancies. The TTG recommends an effort to obtain urine samples
from representative Bikini residents in a controlled environment but
advises that these activities might cause psychological and sociological
stresses to the Bikini people "of more critical concern than the
potential hazard from radiation." W.J. Bair, Battelle, Pacific
Northwest Laboratories (PNL), is chair of the TTG. (315) Jan 1977 CONTRACTOR RADIATION According to the LRE analysis of a radiological survey of seven Marshall
Islands atolls for the AEC/DOS from 1974 to 1975, strontium 90 and cesium
137 are dominant in the terrestrial environment; and americium 241,
plutonium 240, and plutonium 239 are also in the soil from Bikini and
Rongelap. (316) 4-5 Feb 1977 AGREEMENT MEDICAL Representatives of the ERDA and the T.T. meet on Kwajalein regarding
medical care of the Rongelap and Utirik people. While the general medical
care of the people of the Marshall lslands is the responsibility of
the T.T., ERDA and T.T. agree to work together to extend medical care
and treatment to all people living on the islands. The ERDA agrees to
invite T.T. medical personnel to join ERDA medical visits, to assist
in arranging for U.S. doctors to participate in the medical team visits,
and to extend the duration of the medical team visits to assist the
T.T. in providing general medical care. (317) 24 Feb 1977 ADMINISTRATION James L Liverman, ERDA assistant administrator for environment and
safety (AES), recommends that his office establish a headquarters position
to coordinate and manage health and safety research and surveillance
activities in the Pacific. (318) 15 Mar 1977 RELOCATION Fifty-six Enewetakese return to Japtan. (319) Apr 1977 RADIATION In vivo counting for Bikini Island residents indicates a ten-fold
increase in body burdens of cesium 137 from a 1974 survey and results
in an annual whole body dose of about 0.4 rem/yr. The standard is 0.5
rem/yr. The elevated dose rates are attributed to use of foods grown
on Bikini lsland. (320) 21 Apr 1977 ADMINISTRATION Hal Hollister, ERDA acting director of the division of safety, standards,
and compliance (SSC), does not concur with Liverman's proposal to establish
a scientific manager in the Pacific for all AES Pacific activities.
He suggests no change in current management of AES activities at the
field level and recommends additional emphasis on coordination and program
development at headquarters. (321) 26 Apr 1977 ADMINISTRATION In clarifying the SSC position against Liverman's proposal, L Joe
Deal, ERDA assistant director for health protection of the SSC, cites
serious differences of opinion with NV. Deal states that his division
has been trying to sort out the proper role of headquarters versus the
field and to perform the headquarters' function.
(322) 04 May 1977 ADMINISTRATION P.L 95-26 includes $2.6 million in funds for the DOI to cover the
DOD cost for necessary support for radiological surveying of the northern
Marshalls. (323) 16 May 1977 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR MEDICAL RADIATION According to medical examination, 42 of 65 exposed Rongelap people
now living have thyroid abnormalities. Bioassays show an increase in
cesium 137 body burdens of the Bikini people. The ERDA, the DOI, and
the BNL agree to have the BNL conduct whole body counting on the returning
Enewetakese. Present responsibilities for radiation assessment in the
ERDA are divided between the ERDA division of operational and environmental
safety (DOES) and the DBER. The DOES obtains radiological data from
the BNL for terrestrial evaluation; from the University of Washington
for marine sampling; and from the LLL for dose assessment. The DBER
collects data of scientific interest from a research standpoint. (324) 26 May 1977 AGREEMENT WEAPON TESTING The ERDA and the DOD execute a memorandum of understanding of planning
and support for Safeguard "C" and conduct of nuclear weapons
tests outside North American continental fimits. The ERDA/DMA and the
director of DNA are designated to implement Safeguard "C."
Johnston Atoll is selected as the principal readiness-to-test facility
in the Pacific. (325) 27-29 Jun 1977 RADIATION Marshall Islands workshop participants ask for reevaluations of Enewetak
cleanup plans. (326) 28 Jun 1977 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION The DOD designates the Navy as the executive agent for the coordination
and execution of the DOD responsibilities for logistical support of
the aerial radiological survey of the northern Marshalls. (327) 04 Aug 1977 ADMINISTRATION President Jimmy Carter creates the Department of Energy (DOE) by signing
P.L 95-91. 15-17 Aug 1977 CONTRACTOR RADIATION Representatives from PNL, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), HASL,
LASL, the Lovelace Foundation for Medical Education and Research (LFMER),
and LLL agree that the criteria for cleanup of plutonium-contaminated
islands, including Enewetak, are reasonable in light of present knowledge
and that their application does not pose an unacceptable health risk.
(328) Oct 1977 CONTRACTOR RADIATION The BNL installs a wind-powered, long-term air sampling station on Bikini island. (329) Urine samples are collected from Bikini
residents under controlled conditions to avoid contamination. (330) 01 Oct 1977 ADMINISTRATION The DOE is activated. 15 Oct 1977 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY MEDICAL RADIATION RELOCATION P.L 95-134 authorizes $12.4 million for rehabilitation and resettlement of Enewetak Atoll. The Secretary of Interior is to pay people who were residents of Rongelap and Utirik Atolls on 1 March 1954, $25,000 to each person with hypothyroidism or removal of a thyroid gland or neurofibroma or a radiation-related malignancy; $1,000 to each person who was a resident on Utirik; up to $25,000 in compassionate compensation to any other person who suffered physical injury or harm from a radiation-related cause; and an additional payment of not more than $100,000 to the heirs of anyone whose death is related to the thermonuclear detonation. The ERDA administrator is to assume the costs of appropriate medical care and treatment for those suffering from radiation illness or injury. P.L. 95-134 also authorizes medical care for the Marshall Islanders
exposed to the 1954 Castle Bravo fallout, including the diagnosis
and treatment of radiation-related diseases. The DOE is responsible
for funding this medical care. (331) Nov 1977 RADIATION The T.T. government institutes a complete dietary program for all
residents of Bikini. (332) 13 Dec 1977 CONTRACTOR RADIATION According to the BNL, 30-year integral dose predictions from external
sources exclusive of background radiation for inhabitants of Rongelap
and Utirik Atolls are 0.65 and 0.06 rem respectively. The BNL concludes
that in inhabitants of Rongelap may have difficulty meeting ICRP criteria
of 5 rem in 30 years, but should be within the 0.5 rem/year standard
for individuals. (333) 1978 AGREEMENT The signing of the Statement of Agreed Principles for Free Association
(the Hilo Principles) lay the cornerstone for the Compact of Free Association
(COFA) by providing a framework for the negotiation of the compact.
The Hilo Principles call for approval of the free association agreement
by a plebiscite under observation by the United Nations. (334)
Jan 1978 PLUTONIUM RADIATION At the request of the DOE DBER and DOES, LLL scientists assess the
potential doses to populations at Enewetak Atoll from transuranic radionuclides.
The study provides dosage estimates to the population via various exposure
pathways, such as the marine pathway, the inhalation pathway, the terrestrial
food chain, and groundwater. The predicted dose rates for the southern
islands and Enjebi Island do not exceed the 1 mrad/yr to lung nor the
3 mrad/yr to bone guidance proposed by the EPA. (335) 05 Jan 1978 ADMINISTRATION The Secretary of the Interior notifies the Secretary of Defense of
his concern that the DOD is not moving ahead with the required logistical
support for the radiological survey in the northern Marshalls and requests
assistance and cooperation in expediting arrangements to carry out this
commitment. (336) 06 Jan 1978 AGREEMENT The DOE and the DNA agree to include all transuranics in the cleanup
of Enewetak. (337) Feb 1978 CONTRACTOR PLUTONIUM RADIATION According to LLL, the Enewetak lagoon is the largest reservoir of
transuranics in the atoll and little alteration is expected in the present
distribution of transuranics in the sediment over the next few decades.
(338) 14 Mar 1978 RADIATION In a memorandum Charles J. Treat of DNA sets forth the Enewetak cleanup
decisions that need to be resolved in an upcoming meeting and provides
an account of his discussions with Roger Ray regarding these issues.
These issues include: whether to clean up Runit and how that matter
relates to other soil cleanup decisions and whether to change task group
levels on Enjebi from 40 pCi/g to 50 pCi/g. (339) Apr 1978 RADIATION Radiological surveys of Bikini residents show a 75 percent increase
in cesium 137 burdens compared to 1977. Twelve of about 140 people exceed
current standards for body burdens. (340) 21 Apr 1978 CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP RADIATION The House Subcommittee on Health and the Environment of the committee
on Interstate and Foreign Commerce asks Secretary of Defense Harold
Brown about the DOD's participation in the Enewetak cleanup and the
protective measures being taken to protect those involved in cleanup
activities. (341) 26-27 Apr 1978 RADIATION The Enewetak Advisory Group meets in Denver and decides that it is
not possible to develop reasonable cleanup guidance to assure that future
residents would not receive radiation doses from transuranics that would
significantly exceed proposed EPA guidelines. They propose a standard
of cleanup for all one-quarter or one-half hectare areas exceeding 40
pCi/g of surface soils of village islands that should meet EPA guidelines
for the resulting doses in the bone and lung. (342) May 1978 CONTRACTOR RADIATION RELOCATION Coconut, papaya, and breadfruit samples are collected from the Eneu
test plot to help assess the suitability of Eneu as a permanent residence
for the Bikinians. The LLL is in charge of analyzing the food samples.
(343) 22 May 1978 RADIATION RELOCATION Oscar de Brum, District Administrator from the Marshall Islands, testifies
before the U.S. House Subcommittee on the Interior of the appropriations
committee that the only way to prevent the Bikinians from using coconuts
from the island is to remove the trees or remove the people. The DOI
reports that the current Bikini population will be moved from Bikini
in 75 to 90 days. (344) Jul 1978 CLAIMS As part of the Micronesia status negotiations Matthew Nimetz, chair
of the Micronesia Interagency Group, establishes a Micronesia Interagency
Group Task Force on Claims Issues to study claims arising from U.S.
nuclear testing and related activities in the Marshall Islands. The
task force is chaired by the Office of Micronesia Status Negotiations
and contains representatives from the Departments of State, Defense,
Energy, Interior, and Justice, and OMB. (345) 26 Jul 1978 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR RADIATION The aerial photographic mission, the first phase of the 13 Atoll Survey
of the northern Marshalls, begins. The DOE/DOES manages the survey and
acts as coordinator with Washington-level federal agencies. The manager,
NV, is in charge of logistics coordination for survey field operations;
a technical director from LLL provides technical direction of aerial,
terrestrial, and marine field operations and for laboratory analysis
and dose assessments. Contractors include BNL, University of Washington,
LLL, and EG&G. (346) 02 Aug 1978 AGREEMENT Liverman, the DOE acting assistant secretary for environment, signs
the Memorandum of Agreement between the Navy, the DOE, and the DOI on
logistics support for the aerial radiological survey of the northern
Marshall Islands. (347) 16 Aug 1978 AGREEMENT RELOCATION After concerns are raised during meetings with the residents of Bikini
and Kili Islands, officials of the DOE, representing the U.S. government,
and the T.T. sign a statement of understanding on moving Bikinians.
The DOI will arrange for satisfactory permanent relocation and will
ask the DOE to assure that medical needs of Bikini Island residents
are met. The U.S. government will undertake a program for the permanent
rehabilitation of Kili and, following completion of the aerial survey,
will work with Kili residents to choose other relocation sites. If future
studies show Eneu can be safely inhabited, Bikini residents will be
allowed to move there. Brief visits to Bikini will be allowed. Necessary
housing community facilities, and a dock will be built at Kili. A relocation
allowance of $100.72 per person will be given to Bikini residents. (348) 18 Aug 1978 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY RELOCATION P.L. 95-348 appropriates $15 million for the Bikini people evacuated
from Bikini Atoll as a result of nuclear tests, of which $12 million
is authorized for the relocation and resettlement of the Bikini people,
and $3 million is held in trust pursuant to the trust agreement in P.L
94-34. The Secretary of the Interior must submit a progress report to
Congress on efforts to find a permanent location for these people by
1 July 1979. (349) 28 Aug 1978 RELOCATION Relocation of Bikini residents to Kili Island begins. (350) Sep 1978 RADIATION The technical phase of the Thirteen Atoll Survey begins. (351) 2 7 Oct 1978 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY RADIATION The People of Bikini, et al., vs. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., et al.,
of October 1975, is dismissed. Following negotiations with the Department
of justice, the plaintiffs drop the suit on condition that a more comprehensive
radiological survey of Bikini is conducted and that this survey be extended
to ten other atolls and two other islands. The Bikini people will select
a qualified scientist to work under contract with the DOE to provide
independent analysis of survey data. (352)
1979 ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL RADIATION According to a General Accounting Office (GAO) report on the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll, The DOE has the responsibility for future periodic radiological surveys of Enewetak Atoll and periodic medical and environmental monitoring of the people and the environment after rehabilitation. (There is no official agreement between the U.S. and the people of Enewetak regarding these matters.) The GAO recommends establishing an agreement to monitor and inspect entombed radioactive soil and debris following the termination of the T.T. agreement. The GAO advises the DOI to initiate independent assessment of the Enewetak cleanup project, a suggestion agreeable to the DOE. (353) Jan 1979 RADIATION Measured body burdens of cesium 137 in former Bikini Island residents
show a reduction factor from 1978 to 1979 of 2.3 for males, 3.8 for
females, and 12 for children. (354) 30 Jan 1979 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION The DOE requests the DOD support for a radiological survey of soil
on the northern Marshall Islands to determine residual fission products
in the soil, to help calculate dose assessments, plan the DOE's rehabilitation
program for coconut planting, and determine the feasibility and/or timing
of Enjebi resettlement. (355) Feb 1979 RADIATION DOE Enewetak Radiological Support Project (ERSP) establishes a Fission
Product Data Base (FPDB) to collect essential information to provide
dose assessments for 18 islands of Enewetak Atoll. (356) 01 Mar 1979 ADMINISTRATION In a referendum the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
(RMI) approve a constitution. (357) 27-28 Mar 1979 RADIATION To avoid repeating the Bikini experience, the Northern Marshall Islands
Advisory Group recommends that all dose calculations used to make decisions
regarding habitation of the Marshall islands be independently verified
by two or more organizations. (358) Mar-Apr 1979 CONTRACTOR RADIATION The DOE conducts soil survey of Enjebi Island and other northern islands
of Enewetak Atoll. LLL analyzes results. (359) 01 May 1979 ADMINISTRATION The RMI inaugurates a parliamentary constitutional government. (360) 15 May 1979 RADIATION RELOCATION In response to a request by the DOI for a definitive statement by
the DOE on the possibility of returning Bikinians to Eneu Island, Ruth
Clusen, the DOE assistant secretary for environment states that a return
to Eneu Island cannot take place for 20 to 25 years when applying the
radiation criteria of 250 mrem/yr per person used for the Enewetakese.
(361) 17 May 1979 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR RADIATION Roger Ray and Harry Brown meet with President Amata Kabua and members
of the cabinet of the government of the Marshall Islands. They discuss
the DOE's interest in gaining cooperation from the Tobolar copra plant
to replicate the Tobolar process in a laboratory at LLL (Tobolar is
a Marshallese word that means "sprouting coconut.") They also
confer about the safety of Eneu as a residential island, radiation levels
on Bikar and Bokar, thyroid abnormalities on Likiep, and the northern
Marshall Islands survey. (362) 21 May 1979 RADIATION RELOCATION The DOI informs the T.T. that Eneu Island must be placed off limits
as a place of residence for the Bikini people for at least another twenty
to twenty-five years. The DOI stresses that the U.S. government must
use the same radiation exposure criteria for the people of Bikini as
that used for Enewetak. (363) 4 Jun 1979 RADIATION The Marshall Islands Nijitela (legislature) adopts a resolution requesting
that the U.S. government and the UN conduct a radiological survey of
the waters and land areas in the Marshall Islands, north of 8 degrees
north latitude, including all of Namu Atoll, to determine radioactivity
in the area and to carry out medical examinations to identify physical
disorders which may be attributable to nuclear explosions on Bikini
and Enewetak Atolls. (364) Aug 1979 RADIATION The DOE, the DOI, and the EPA and their legal counsels agree on the
necessity of determining a U.S. position with respect to the applicability
of U.S. exposure guidance in the Marshall Islands, particularly at Enewetak,
and to determine the extent to which the U.S. has the authority and
responsibility to enforce this guidance. The EPA believes that federal
guides to radiation protection apply to the Marshall islands people
who want to return to Enewetak, but that in carrying out its programs,
the DOI can allow the possibility of occasional individual doses in
excess of 0.5 rem/yr if it has a carefully considered reason for doing
so. (365) 12 Sep 1979 RELOCATION In an open letter to members of the council of Ujelang and Enewetak
and the people of those atolls prior to the Enewetak radiation dose
assessment meetings, President Kabua advises them that the government
"cannot bless nor participate in any decision-making for your return
to Enewetak" unless it is certain about all aspects of lingering
radiation danger. He expresses his concern about whether the initial
dose assessment meetings can achieve informed consent by the people
of Ujelang and Enewetak and advises them not to rush with a decision
if they feel they are not yet ready to make one. (366) 16 Sep 1979 RADIATION Completion ceremony for the concrete dome covering radioactive debris
is held on Runit island. (367) 18 Sep 1979 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION The Ujelang Enewetak council adopts resolutions requesting that six
members of the Enewetak planning council be permitted to be present
on Enewetak from 1 October 1979 to 31 January 1980 to have a greater
role in the final phase of the Enewetak Atoll rehabilitation project.
The council also asks that future planting of breadfruit trees on Japtan
be on the ocean side of each wato in close proximity to homesites and
not interspersed with coconut palms. (368) 18-20 Sep 1979 RADIATION RELOCATION At a dose assessment conference at Ujelang Atoll DOE representatives
discuss the radiological status of Enewetak Atoll with the people of
Enewetak. The people of Enewetak, in consultation with Drs. A. Bertrand
Brill, Michael A. Bender, Robert A. Kiste, and William E. Ogle, and
legal counsel, decide the preferred course for resettlement and use
of the islands of the atoll. The DOE staff presents and explains its
book "Enewetak Today." Following the meeting with DOE, the
council of Enewetak meets with Theodore P. Mitchell, MLSC, and his advisors,
and adopts a resolution stating that the people of Enjebi "shall
and must" return to live on Enjebi and imploring the U.S. government
to concur with this decision and assist the people of Enjebi to return
to their homeland. (369) 28 Sep 1979 RADIATION In response to a verbal request from Ruth Van Cleve, director, office
of territorial affairs, DOI, Bruce W. Wachholz, DOE office of environment,
assesses the radiological consequences to the people of Enewetak if
they reside only on Enewetak, Medren, and Japtan, and if coconut trees
are planted on the northeastern islands of the Enewetak Atoll. Given
these assumptions and limitations, the radiation exposure estimates
are below U.S. exposure guidance and AEC recommendations. (370)
12 Oct 1979 RADIATION RELOCATION Michael A. Bender and A. Bertrand Brill of National Cytogenetics,
Inc. issue "Assessment of Radiation Health Effects of the Resettlement
of Enewetak Atoll," a report prepared for MLSC. They conclude that
their risk assessments are in substantial agreement with those the DOE
presented to the Enewetak people at the dose assessment conference.
Bender and Brill conclude that the average yearly doses probably will
be relatively small for the people of Enewetak following resettlement
of the atoll, including Enjebi. (371) 22 Oct 1979 RADIATION RELOCATION In response to a request by the people of Enewetak for the DOI to
consider agricultural redevelopment and reestablishment of a community
on Enjebi, Ruth Van Cleve, DOI director of the office of territorial
affairs, asks the DOE to estimate the amount of time it would take for
exposure levels on Enjebi to meet applicable exposure limits. (372) 30 Oct 1979 RADIATION RELOCATION In response to the DOE and the DOI questions regarding whether the
proposal to resettle Enjebi requires a supplemental environmental impact
statement, Theodore Mitchell, MLSC, responds that resettlement of Enjebi
was sufficiently studied in the 1975 environmental impact statement.
(373) 15 Nov 1979 CONTRACTOR RADIATION Roger Ray reports that NV/ERSP is evaluating a systematic error in
situ measurement of americium in Enewetak. This error, in the range
of 20 to 25 percent, derives from improper use of a soil composition
that is not representative of the actual. If these errors were introduced
into the LLL preliminary dose assessment, then the data are lower than
actual radioactivity levels. (The calibration procedures used in IMP
calculations of transuranics data in the LLL preliminary dose assessment
were first questioned by Ed Bramlitt of the DNA field command.) As a
result, the LLL revised dose assessments are put on hold until the error
is clarified and the extent of necessary revisions is assessed. (374) 03 Dec 1979 RADIATION RELOCATION In a draft response to Van Cleve's request for time estimates for
safe exposure levels on Enjebi, Wachholz provides time estimates ranging
from 60-65 years and 90-95 years that take into account assumptions
about lifestyle patterns and DOE recommendations. (375) Jan 1980 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL RADIATION The BNL issues Review of Medical Findings in a Marshallese Population
Twenty-Six Years After Accidental Exposure to Radioactive Fallout.
The report emphasizes that many uncertainties were involved in calculating
the early radiation doses received by the Marshallese prior to their
evacuation. Because of possible further development of thyroid abnormalities,
BNL recommends regular medical examinations.
(376) Mar 1980 RADIATION The DNA announces that the Enewetak cleanup is completed. The total
cost of the cleanup and rehabilitation phase is $218 million. (377) 12 Mar 1980 AGREEMENT MEDICAL P.L 96-205, the Burton bill, takes effect. This law gives responsibility
to the Secretary of Interior to provide medical care and treatment for
the people of Bikini, Enewetak, Rongelap, and Utirik Atolls who have
been exposed to radiation from the nuclear weapon testing program and
to support environmental research and monitoring for any injury, illness,
or condition that may result from the nuclear weapon testing program.
The Secretary of Interior must submit a plan for a comprehensive four-atoll
health program by 1 January 1981. All costs and implementation of the
plan are to be assumed by the DOE. (378) 04 Apr 1980 RELOCATION Johannes Peter, Binton Abraham, and John Abraham, hereditary and elected
leaders of Enewetak Atoll, write President Jimmy Carter because they
disagree with statements made to Carter by RMI President Kabua. Kabua
reportedly had asked Carter to look into the resettlement of Enewetak.
Peter, Abraham, and Abraham believe that additional study is unnecessary
because independent advice by Bender and Briel (1979) favors Enewetak
resettlement. They allege that President Kabua is motivated by funding
and politics and is not speaking for the majority of the Enewetak people.
(379) May 1980 RELOCATION The Enewetak people return to Enewetak Atoll.
(380) Sep - Oct 1980 ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL RADIATION The DOE issues The Meaning of Radiation at Bikini Atoll to the Marshallese to explain the results of the 1978 survey. The report states that the Bikini people would be within U.S. radiation standards if they returned to Eneu Island under the provisions that they import 50 percent of their food and spend less than 10 percent of their time on Bikini island. (381) The DOE presents and explains "The Meaning of Radiation at Bikini
Atoll" to the Bikini people living on Kili.
(382) 01 Oct 1980 ADMINISTRATION Beginning in FY 1981 the LLL dose assessment project the BNL whole
body counting activities, and the University of Washington Projects
are transferred to the DOE Office of Health and Environmental Research
(OHER). (383) 30 Oct 1980 CONTRACTOR RADIATION The LLNL issues Reassessment of the Potential Radiological Doses
for Residents Resettling Enewetak Atoll. This report refines the
dose predictions for various living patterns proposed for the resettlement
of Enewetak Atoll. (384) 03 Dec 1980 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR MEDICAL A Loma Linda University report from a contract with the DOI on the
four-atoll health plan concludes that the best solution would be to
improve the health care available throughout the Marshall Islands. Neither
the DOI nor the Marshall Islands government officially endorses the
plan. (385) 24 Dec 1980 AGREEMENT P.L. 96-597 states that all rights, title, and interests of the U.S.
government in personal property or property of the government of the
T.T. of the Pacific Islands located in the T.T. of the Pacific islands
shall be transferred without reimbursement by 1 October 1982 to the
T.T. (386) 1981, 1982 CLAIMS Fourteen petitions on behalf of approximately 5,000 Marshall Islands
inhabitants are filed in the U.S. Court of Claims for property claims
resulting from the nuclear weapons testing program. The petitions are
consolidated into three cases: Juda vs. U.S., involving inhabitants
of the Bikini Atoll; Peter vs. U.S., concerning inhabitants of Enewetak
Atoll; and Nitol vs. U.S., including inhabitants of atolls and islands
that were not used as test sites. Juda vs. U.S. alleges damages of $450
million. Peter vs. U.S. seeks damages of $500 million. Nitol vs. U.S.
claims damages of $400 million in each of the 12 cases, which total
$4.80 billion. (387) 1981 CLAIMS LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY The Marshall Islands Testing Litigation Project is initiated. A consortium
of U.S. law firms announces the filing of personal injury claims against
the U.S. government on behalf of more than 600 Marshallese.
(388) 27 Feb 1981 ADMINISTRATION Robert L Morgan, DOE acting assistant secretary for defense programs,
proposes a reorganization of Defense Programs (DP) to comply with the
reorganization of DOE by Secretary James B. Edwards. Morgan recommends,
among numerous weapons responsibilities, that the deputy assistant secretary
for military application exercise direction over the office of safety,
environment and emergency actions. M. Whitley of DP prepares these proposals
for Morgan. (389) Mar 1981 POLICY RELOCATION Approximately 100 Enewetak people return to Ujelang from Enewetak because of lack of coconuts and other fresh fruits. (390) Enewetak leaders petition the U.N. Trusteeship Council to continue
the trusteeship arrangement with the U.S. after the agreement has been
terminated with the rest of Micronesia.
(391) 07 Apr 1981 ADMINISTRATION Following a DOE departmental reorganization transferring the biological
and environmental research (BER) program from the former office of the
assistant secretary for the environment to the office of energy research
(ER), N. Douglas Pewitt, acting director of ER, proposes placing nonresearch
Marshall Islands projects related to medical surveillance in the new
office of the assistant secretary for environmental protection, safety,
and emergency preparedness (ASEP). (392) 27 May 1981 ADMINISTRATION "DOE's MI activities are at a crossroads," writes Tommy
McCraw, DOE health physicist, in response to Dr. Bruce Wachholz's question
of who should manage the DOE Marshall Islands program and whether NV
should administer it. McCraw mentions that disagreements have occurred
between the NV and headquarters staffs over who should manage the Marshall
Islands program and how it should be operated. The NV representatives,
says McCraw, have given the Marshallese the impression that the NV has
"almost endless resources" compared to the T.T. officials.
McCraw also states that the AEC and the ERDA management "were never
willing to formally give NV more responsibility in the Marshalls than
responsibility for logistics support." According to McCraw, the
DOE and its predecessors have received no clear directions from Congress
to provide radiological follow-up in the Marshalls; moreover, McCraw
finds that the DOE "currently has no approved policy and no plan
for these activities." McCraw concludes that giving NV staff the
responsibility for the DOE Marshall Islands program will give the impression
in Washington and Majuro that the DOE wishes to provide leadership on
Marshall Islands matters that will require new responsibilities and
enlarged funding "with no end in sight."
(393) 26 Oct 1981 - 20 Nov 1981 ADMINISTRATION Citing a "very large program growth," Herman E. Roser, DOE
assistant secretary for DP, on 26 October recommends and on 20 November
DOE Secretary Edwards approves a reorganization of DP to consolidate
program management areas and to delegate program management responsibilities
to three deputy assistant secretaries. Roser anticipates "continuing
management requirements for a major DOE mission area."
(394) 1982 ADMINISTRATION CLAIMS CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Antolok, Cathelina, et al. vs. BNL, et al. is filed in U.S. District Court, Central District, California, charging that contractors, acting as agents of the U.S. government, caused physical injury and death and breached fiduciary duty to protect the health and well-being of the plaintiffs, who are Marshallese. Defendants include LLNL, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Battelle Memorial Institute, LANL, and Sandia Laboratories. The plaintiffs seek damages for past and future medical expenses, property damage, contamination of environment suffering and $4 billion in punitive damages. (395) The manager of NV proposes to consolidate all of the Marshall Islands office programs in the DOE DP office. (396) BNL issues Medical Status of Marshallese Accidently Exposed to
1954 Bravo Fallout Radiation: January 1980 through December 1982.
This report concludes that there is no statistically significant difference
between the survival curves of the radioactively exposed and unexposed
groups. (397) 29 Jan 1982 RADIATION CONTRACTOR LLNL issues "An Updated Radiological Dose Assessment of Bikini
and Eneu Islands at Bikini Atoll," which addresses potential dose
assessment after resettlement at Bikini Atoll.
(398) Feb 1982 ADMINISTRATION The NV staff recommends that it be given additional authority to implement
the NEPA because current procedures for environmental assessments and
impact statements slow down field action. The NV request would diminish
the authority of the office of environmental protection, safety, and
energy preparedness (EP) at headquarters on environmental assessments
and impact statements. (399) 02 Mar 1982 ADMINISTRATION Kristine Morris drafts a memorandum for DOE Assistant Secretary of
DP Herman E. Roser's signature that recommends transferring the Marshall
Islands programs from EP to DP. She circulates the draft to Roger Ray
and Tom Cornwell for comment. Cornwell suggests that Morris include
more about the history of U.S. government acquisition of the Marshalls
for nuclear testing and separate sections about the Burton Bill and
Safeguard "C." (400) 23 Mar 1982 ADMINISTRATION Herman E. Roser urges the Secretary of the DOE to transfer the Marshall
Islands programs from EP to DP. Roser supports his request by recalling
that during 1977-1980 the DOE Enewetak Radiological Support Project
"provided the critical expertise" for the DNA $100 million
clean-up in the Marshall Islands. Roser adds that the DOE NV organized
and conducted the radiological survey of 288 islands in the northern
Marshalls as part of the DOE project. Recognizing that EP has been responsible
since 1977 for the Marshall Islands programs. Roser explains that, except
for the professional medical responsibilities, the technical resources
currently in the Marshall Islands are primarily weapons-related and
are part of the Safeguard "C" program to maintain the capability
to resume atmospheric testing. "In fact," adds Roser, "much
of the field effort in the Marshall Islands is an exercise of the expeditionary
capability which is an important aspect of Defense Programs' Safeguard
'C.'" Because most of the DOE logistic and support base "is
common to the Safeguard 'C' readiness program," DP should assume
direction and control of the DOE Marshall Island activities, Roser concludes.
(401) 25 Mar 1982 ADMINISTRATION Kris Morris reports that Herman E. Roser has signed the proposal to
transfer the Marshall Islands program to DP. The only issue is one of
where to locate the program in DP: in program support (PS) or safety,
environment, and emergency actions (SEEA). Morris recommends that the
program be placed in PS. She does not foresee the need for additional
staff because the bulk of the work is done in NV and the Pacific Area
support office (PASO). (402) Apr 1982 ADMINISTRATION Dr. Charles W. Edington, associate director of the DOE OHER, calls
the linking of Safeguard "C" to the Marshall Islands program
"ludicrous." Edington drafts an issue paper discussing the
proposed transfer of the Marshall Islands program to DP. The paper,
which was never sent, concludes: DP does not have the medical or technical
staff to manage the program and an association of the health care and
radiological monitoring programs to the weapons program will destroy
any pretense of objectivity. OHER sees no point in continuing research
at the Mid-Pacific Marine Laboratory. He perceives this attempt as another
effort to transfer management of the program to NV. Edington recommends
that if EP is unveiling to retain the program that it be transferred
to ER/EHER instead of DP. He also acknowledges the differences of opinion
between the DOE and NV on DOE's role in the Marshall islands: while
the DOE maintains that it is an advisor to the DOI and the DOD, NV has
led the Marshallese to believe that the DOE has a greater responsibility
than is the case. (403) 14 Apr 1982 ADMINISTRATION J. W. Thiessen, acting deputy associate director of EP, opposes the
recommendation of Roser to transfer the Marshall Islands program to
DP. Thiessen believes that Roser's recommendation results from pressures
from NV to take over the policy direction of a program in which NV has
had only logistic support responsibility. According to Thiessen, DP
also wants the program control in order to retain the Mid-Pacific Research
Laboratory on Enjebi Island. Thiessen fears that if the program is transferred
to DP, then headquarters would not be consulted adequately. Moreover,
Thiessen thinks that the DOE should dose the Mid-Pacific Research Laboratory
because it has been inactive for several year. He recommends that if
EP wishes to drop the program, then the Marshall Islands project should
be transferred back to his office. (404) 13 May 1982 ADMINISTRATION Herman E. Roser, A.W. Trivelpiece, assistant secretary for ER, and
Vaughn, assistant secretary for EP, discuss the transfer of the Marshall
Islands programs. ER's position is that although ER does not want to
manage the programs, it will contribute expertise and fundine Vaughn
sees EP as an oversight office but does not have a prepared position.
Roser declares that EP has managed the programs poorly and that if DP
receives the programs it will establish immediately a headquarters task
force to determine future policy. (405) 30 May 1982 AGREEMENT The United States and the Marshall Islands sign the Compact of Free
Association (COFA). (406) Sep 1982 RELOCATION RADIATION NV issues Enewetak Radiological Support Project, Final Report,
which documents the technical and logistical accomplishments of the
ERSP, directed by NV. According to this paper, the ERSP gave DNA technical
advice on the cleanup and reported the final radiological condition
of each of the atoll's forty-three islets. (407) 30 Sep 1982 CONTRACTOR RADIATION Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) issues The Northern
Marshall Islands Radiological Survey: Terrestrial Food Chain and Total
Doses (1982 Report), which is the official documentation of the
radiation survey of the northern Marshall Islands in 1978. (408) 01 Oct 1982 AGREEMENT The U.S. and the Federated States of Micronesia conclude a Compact of Free Association and establish a relationship of Free Association between the two governments. (409) The U.S. and the RMI sign an agreement concluded pursuant to section
234 of COFA that transfers the titles of lands owned but no longer needed
by the U.S. government to the governments of the Marshall Islands. (410) 19 Oct 1982 AGREEMENT P.L 97-357 amends P.L 96-597 of 24 December 1980 by replacing the
1 October 1982 deadline with "by a date not later than ninety days
following termination of the trusteeship agreement governing the administration
of the T.T. of the Pacific Islands." (411) 28 Oct 1982 - 5 Nov 1982 ADMINISTRATION On 28 October Herman E. Roser concurs with the transfer of Marshall
Islands programs and the Nevada Dose Reassessment effort from EP to
DP with the expectations that the FY 1983 and 1984 monies for these
programs also will be transferred to DP. On 5 November William A. Vaughan,
assistant secretary for environmental protection, safety, and emergency
preparedness, signs the recommendation for transfer of these two EP
programs to DP and another EP program, radiological surveys and certification,
to the assistant secretary for nuclear energy. Among the arguments cited
against the Marshall Islands program transfer in an unsigned attachment
to Vaughan's 29 October memorandum to DOE Secretary Edwards are: DP
has limited headquarters medical, health, or environmental expert staff
to direct the program, and "historically, EP has retained management
of the program because of its perceived expertise." In that same
document proponents of that transfer contend that the Marshall islands
program is primarily operational and related to past weapon testing,
a major DP activity; that NV manages the logistical support in the Pacific
for DP; and that EP handling represents a conflict with the EP oversight
role. (412) Nov 1982 MEDICAL RADIATION The DOE issues Melelen Radiation Ilo Ailin ko Ituion Ilo Majol.
ko Rar Etali Ilo 1978 (The Meaning of Radiation for Those Atolls in
the Northern Part of the Marshall Islands That Were Surveyed in 1978)
to the Marshallese to explain the results of the 1978 measurements for
Rongelap, Utirik, Taka, Rongerik, Ailinginae, Likiep, Ailuk, Jemo, Mejit,
Wotho, and Ujelang Atolls. According to Tommy McCraw, the 400 mRem/yr
exposure rate "on page 39" appears to be an erroneous value
not supported by whole-body monitoring. McCraw says that "the value
should be less than 100 mRem/year," provided the food restriction
remains effective. (413) 8-9 Dec 1982 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL RADIATION DOE representatives and contractors from the PNL and LLNL meet with
Marshall Islanders at Majuro to explain the 1978 radiological survey.
No T.T. representative attends. Roger Ray serves as the DOE spokesman,
and Tommy McCraw attends as an observer. The Marshallese ask why only
certain islands were included in the survey; which areas are safe with
respect to health; and how the radiation affects people's health. According
to McCraw, the Marshallese/English book was "well received,"
and Ray was effective in responding to the purpose and findings of the
survey. Nevertheless, McCraw is upset because "some of the Marshallese
at the meeting appeared surprised, confused, and skeptical of Roger's
statements that food from Enjebi Island and from the northern islands
at Rongelap could be eaten with certain qualifications, and that the
people should make up their own judgments based upon cancer risk estimates
and upon the need for food." McCraw regards Ray's advice as incompatible
with the DOE policy of adhering to federal and international radiation
protection standards and giving DOE-coordinated radiological advice
and assistance to the DOI and the T.T. high commissioner. According
to McCraw, Ray's statements on the consumption of Enjebi and northern
islands food were not coordinated with the DOE. McCraw considers this
episode a continuation of a difference of opinion between DOE headquarters
safety staff and NV that started when NV became involved in the Enewetak
cleanup. (414) 1983 CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP RELOCATION Congress creates the Bikini Atoll Rehabilitation Committee (BARC) to investigate and report to Congress on the feasibility and cost of rehabilitating Bikini Atoll. The BARC is funded by the DOI. (415) The Marshall Islands Legislature passes a resolution supporting a
relocation request to the U.S. Congress by the Rongelapese. (416) Jan 1983 ADMINISTRATION CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP MEDICAL Committee Print No. 3 prepared by the staff of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Public Lands and National Parks recommends that the committee reiterate to the administration the congressional intent in P.L. 96-205 that the U.S. provide health care for the Marshallese adversely affected by the U.S. nuclear tests in the Pacific. (417) At the suggestion of the DOE assistant
general counsel for general litigation, the deputy assistant secretary
for defense programs creates an informal litigation support working
group to coordinate litigation support activities. This group's work
will include support on cases filed by Marshall Islands inhabitants
for claims arising from the atmospheric nuclear testing in the Pacific.
(418) 11 Jan 1983 ADMINISTRATION Assistant Secretary for DP Herman E. Roser concurs in the transferring
of the EP Marshall Islands and Dose Assessment Programs to DP with the
understanding that the FY 1984 funding levels of $4.15 million and $1.4
million also go to DP because the FY 1984 DP budget contains no money
for these programs.(419) 26 Jan 1983 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR MEDICAL RADIATION Replying to Tommy McCraws critique of the 8-9 December 1982 DOE meeting
with Marshallese at Majuro, Roger Ray denies that representatives of
the DOE and contractors made or advocated any change in DOE policy or
that he made statements incompatible with past policy. Ray explains
As to the alleged confusion on the part of our Marshallese hosts I would
say that if there were not some confusion it would suggest that we were
not communicating effectively. I have never yet attended a public meeting
on radiation matters where the complexity of the subject did not evoke
some degree of confusion and concern. Ray quotes from the meeting transcript
to highlight the impressions of two Marshallese representatives. A member
of the parliament tells Ray "that we can now ask things that we
want to know and feel comfortable, we want to build on this relationship
of sharing information with each other." At the end of the meetings
the RMI chief secretary, representing the RMI president, expresses "our
extreme gratitude ... for the teams coming .... for this kind of setting
we are able to sit down face to face ... discuss these matters, raise
questions and get answers or at least have them raised so the answers
can be forthcoming eventually."(420)
14 Feb 1983 ADMINISTRATION According to Maj. Gen. William W. Hoover, DOE director of military
application, Roser has placed program management of the Marshall Islands
program in the OMA division of program support. Hoover then designates
the NV as the lead office to manage this program on a daily basis. The
FY 1984 Marshall Islands funding will be included under the weapons
program. NV will be responsible for the FY 1985 Marshall Islands budget
that will cover LLNL, BNL, H&N and University of Hawaii activities.
Headquarters staff involved in the Marshall Islands program are Ralph
Ross and Kristine Morris. (421) 29 Mar 1983- 4 Apr 1983 ADMINISTRATION K Dean Helms, DOE director of organization and management systems, recommends on 29 March and William S. Heffelfinger, DOE director of administration, approves on 4 April the transfer of $4.15 million and 0.25 of a full-time equivalent position from EP to DP for the Marshall Islands program. According to Helms, no incumbent of an occupied position qualifies for a direct transfer under the Marshall Islands program. Helms attributes the Marshall Islands program transfer to "a result of EP concerns that these program management responsibilities compromised their ability to carry out their basic oversight role." (422)
09 Jun 1983 ADMINISTRATION At the request of the DOE/DP the Marshall islands Planning Group (MIPG)
is established at NV. Its purpose is to "review and make recommendations
on the technical content of our Marshall islands programs, to ensure
our legal obligations were met, and to undertake long-term planning,
recognizing the changing political relationship between our government
and that of the Republic of the Marshall Islands."(423)
25 Jun 1983 AGREEMENT Because of revisions and the conclusion of a subsequent agreement
the U.S. and the Marshall Islands sign for a second time the COFA and
all of its subsidiary agreements. (424)
One of these agreements, for the implementation of section 177
of the COFA, sets forth provisions for the settlement of all claims,
for the continued administration by the U.S. of direct medical surveillance
and treatment programs and radiological monitoring and for the assumption
of responsibility for enforcement of limitations on the use of affected
areas by the RMI with assistance by the U.S. (425)
07 Sep 1983 AGREEMENT The electorate of the Marshall Islands votes to approve the COFA.
(426) 21 Oct 1983 MEDICAL To date the DOI has not provided the DOE with a development
plan for the four-atoll health program and environmental research program.
(427) 21 Oct - 03 Nov 1983 MEDICAL CONTRACTOR The BNL conducts a pediatrics mission to Ebeye and
Majuro. Community meetings are held in both Ebeye and Majuro to describe
the mission and answer questions. The mission examines 190 children
in Ebeye and 140 children from Bikini Atol1. (428)
23 Nov 1983 CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP/FONT> RADIATION RELOCATION The BARC interim report estimates that it will cost about $100 million
and take two to four years of on-site effort to resettle the islands
of Bikini and Eneu. The main approaches to decontamination are those
permitting resettlement if radioactive contamination is minimal with
the proviso that no local foods except fish will be eaten for a specified
period and the removal of contaminated soil, especially where radiological
contamination is high. (429) 1984 ADMINISTRATION The DOE terminates its resident scientific program at Enewetak because of operational and funding constraints. The DOE continues to maintain a small field station at Enewetak to support scientific trips and limited operations. (430)
31 Jan 1984 MEDICAL PLUTONIUM RADIATION While expecting the RMI to take over most of the functions and responsibilities of the NV Marshall Island Programs, the NV recommends a Marshall Islands program plan for FY 1985-1989 that recognizes that the U.S. government is responsible for the lifetime medical care for the 178 remaining individuals who were exposed to radioactive fallout from Castle Bravo. The NV also advocates continuing the dose projections for Enewetak and Bikini to support future resettlement decisions and a data bank program, a U.S. government repository for all pertinent environmental and dose assessment information. NV recommends two missions a year to study plutonium uptake of Rongelap residents and of people residing in Bikini during the 1970s. (431)
10 Feb 1984 ADMINISTRATION Since last September the MPRL has not had a resident scientist at Enewetak. Although the laboratory has been inactive, the DOE has kept it maintained and operable. The USGS, with the cooperation of the DOE, is planning an expedition to Enewetak in summer 1984 that will require the use of the laboratory. (432) Mar 1984 RELOCATION A complete brushing operation is initiated on Enewetak. All non-cultivated
foliage will be chopped down and left to decompose to add humus to the
soil and assist in maintaining moisture and providing natural nutrients.
(433) 30 Mar 1984 AGREEMENT The President transmits the COFA to Congress. (434) 01 May 1984 CLAIMS RADIATION RELOCATION The people of Bikini file a class action suit against the executive branch of the U.S. government. The plaintiffs seek declaratory and equitable relief, the radiological cleanup of Bikini Atoll, the restoration of the atoll to its former condition, and speedy resettlement of the Bikini people to their atoll. (435)
03 May 1984 ADMINISTRATION DP's role in the Marshall Islands Program includes: provision of medical
surveillance and care to persons accidentally exposed to radiation during
the Castle Bravo test, radiological studies of the environment
and monitoring of the population living on the atolls, and the logistical
support of these two activities. The DOI is developing the four-atoll
health plan for submission to Congress. No DP funding is involved in
the development or implementation of the hearth plan. (436)
15 May 1984 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR PASO issues the Operations Plan, Mission Number 7, FY 1984, for a June 1984 trip to Utirik, Rongelap and Enewetak as part of the bioassay program conducted by BNL. (437)
25 May 1984 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR MEDICAL T.T. High Commissioner Janet J. McCoy expresses gratitude to Maj. Gen. William W. Hoover, DOE deputy assistant secretary for military application, for assistance provided the T.T. administration by Roger Ray and DOE over the past three years, especially during "numerous critical phases of the Compact of Free Association approval process" before Congress. (438) Exceeding its mandate, the BNL conducts 434 complete medical examinations of the Marshallese during its visit to the Marshall Islands under P.L 95-134, which actually applies only to the 174 islanders affected by the 1954 Castle Bravo fallout. (439)
31 May 1984 POLICY Marshall islands Sen. Jeton Anjain informs W.J. Stanley of PASO that his constituents "will not attend the Radiological Safety Program next time if Mr. Harry Brown, DOE/PASO will accompany the Medical team to Rongelap, Majuro, and Ebeye."(See 20 Jul 84 for the response to this letter.) According to Anjain, the Marshallese "feel that Mr. Harry Brown always treats them like they are animals, every time he gives them little food he calls them as if they are chickens..." (440)
15 Jun 1984 MEDICAL The DOI formulates a four-atoll health care plan planned by the office
of territorial and international affairs (OTIA) and based on site visits
and consultation with OTIA, DOE, DOD, and the USPHS. (441)
5 Jul 1984 RELOCATION The DOI asks the DOE for advice on the resettlement
of Eneu Island. The DOI would like to determine if Eneu Island can be
resettled before the trusteeship ends. (442)
20 Jul 1984 POLICY In response to Sen. Anjain's 31 May 1984 letter, Roger Ray writes
RMI President Kabua that "the allegations regarding the actions
of Mr. Harry Brown are contradictory to my own observations, are in
conflict with numerous complimentary reports, including comments of
officials of your government and are unsupported by specifics."
Ray believes that "it would be regrettable if deserving people
entitled to DOE assistance under United States public law were denied
such assistance because of actions by those who, for whatever reason,
seek to embarrass the Department of Energy or its duly authorized program
officials." Ray states that the DOE will continue to deliver the
services authorized by the U.S. Congress and will welcome the advice,
recommendations, and requests from the Marshall Islands government.
(443) 01 Aug 1984 MEDICAL The DOE transfers $4 million to the DOI to fund the four-atoll health care plan. (444)
28 Aug 1984 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR RADIATION Scientists at a meeting to review the dosimetric data from the Marshall
islands determine that it would be unlikely for an Eneu resident, consuming
a mix of local and imported foods, to exceed an exposure of 500 mrem
per year. The participants in the meeting include representatives from
BNL, ORNL, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), NV, LLNL, and PNL.
(445) The PASO issues the Operations
Plan, Mission Number 8, FY 1984, for a trip to Bikini and Enewetak by
the LLNL in September 1984 as part of their programs involving the sampling,
measurement, and cycling characteristics of radionuclides in the soil,
water, air, and biota. (446) 21 Sep 1984 RELOCATION MEDICAL In a revision of a letter originally drafted by Roger Ray, DOI Secretary
William Clark asks DOE Secretary Hodel if Bikinians can return to Eneu
Island before the trusteeship ends. In a draft of comments, the DOE
office of policy, plans, and analysis (PE) staff recommends no resettlement
because the Bikinians have already been overexposed; the Bikini resettlement
doses have been repeatedly underestimated; dietary restrictions did
not work on Bikini Island; and until the Pu 239 problem is resolved
no recommendation or interpretation of radiological conditions should
be made. (447) 24 Sep 1984 ADMINISTRATION WEAPONS TESTING The DOE and the DOD enter into a memorandum of understanding for the
planning and support for Safeguard "C". Johnston Atoll will
be retained for the resumption of atmospheric testing if it is needed.
Nuclear research and testing programs will be conducted to maintain
personnel knowledgeable about nuclear testing, and other types of experiments
will also be conducted at Safeguard "C" facilities at Johnston
Atoll and the Hawaiian Islands to ensure the continued availability
of the facilities. (448) 28 Sep 1984 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR MEDICAL The PASO issues the Operations Plan Number 1, FY 1985, for the October
1984 trip to Utirik, Rongelap, Ebeye, and Majuro as a part of the medical
program. The program includes surveillance by BNL of Rongelap and Utirik
persons exposed to fallout in 1954, monitoring of a control group of
unexposed persons, and provisions for an expanded health care program.
(449) 09 Oct 1984 CONTRACTOR RADIATION LLNL completes the pyrolytic coconut processing unit and conducts
preliminary runs with Bikini and control coconuts. These preliminary
experiments indicate that the oil produced is relatively free of cesium
137 while the residual charcoal contains most of the element. (450)
17 Oct 1984 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR The PASO issues the Operations Plan, Mission Number 2, FY 1985, for a November 1984 trip to Bikini Atoll as part of the LLNL's program to conduct terrestrial investigations to measure and analyze radionuclides in the environment. (451)
15 Nov 1984 ADMINISTRATION CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP CONTRACTOR RADIATION RELOCATION The BARC submits Report No. 1, Resettlement of Bikini Atoll:
Feasibility and Estimated Cost of Meeting the Federal Radiation Protection
Standards to Congress. The BARC states that the hazard of resettlement
stems almost entirely from cesium 137 in the soil. The BARC concludes
that Eneu may be resettled, but, depending on population size, some
food may have to imported. Bikini may be resettled only if no food is
grown or ground water consumed for 80 years. The Bikini-Kili Council
rejects this alternative because Bikini Island would not be decontaminated.
(452) 30 Nov 1984 ADMINISTRATION RADIATION To date, DP and the PE technical people cannot agree on which DOE
level of radiation is an acceptable risk in regard to the resettlement
of Eneu. (453) 10 Dec 1984 RADIATION RELOCATION Prepared by PE for DOE Secretary Donald Hodel, a draft response to the DOI inquiry on the resettlement of Eneu Island states that the DOE is moving to implement the new ICRP and NCRP recommendations. According to the ICRP, exposures that continue year after year for a lifetime should not exceed an average of 100 mrem a year for the highest individual in any age group. The DOE can give no assurance that the resettlement of Eneu Island would be within these limitations. (454)
13 Dec 1984 ADMINISTRATION The office of Micronesian status negotiations (OMSN) meets on the
status of the COFA with representatives from the Department of Justice
(DOJ), DOD, DOE, DOI, and the Department of State. Because of pending
litigation and legislation, one of the main issues discussed is the
feeling of the DOJ and OMSN that any agency responding to anyone on
matters of COFA should clear the response through DOJ attorneys and
OMSN officials. (455) 14 Dec 1984 RADIATION Roger Ray, deputy director for DOE Pacific Operations informs the
high commissioner of the T.T. of the results of the LLNL pyrolytic coconut
processing unit experiments. An additional $30,000 may be available
for further research, and Ray suggests that the additional funding be
made available through the Marshall Islands memorandum of understanding
with PASO. (456) 1985 AGREEMENT MEDICAL RELOCATION In mid-1985 the DOE and the DOI issue a memorandum of understanding to pool their efforts and work jointly on the scientific programs at Bikini Atoll. (457) NV determines that radiological follow-up of the exposed Rongelapese will not be continued after their relocation but that BNL medical examinations will continue. (458)
03 Jan 1985 RADIATION Ray disagrees with McCraw on Eneu resettlement. McCraw contends that
an unexplained difference in the LLNL doses estimated for Rongelap,
Bikini, and Eneu islands should be resolved before the DOE gives any
more advice to DOI. Ray states that because current data from Eneu are
being used to assess radiological safety, the consideration of resettlement
should not be delayed. (459) 16 Jan 1985- 8 Feb 1985 ADMINISTRATION Rep. Sidney Yates, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Interior
and Related Agencies, asks DOE Secretary Hodel on 16 January to allow
the BARC to carry out the full scope of its activities as directed by
Congress. The DOE, DOI, DOJ, and OMSN attorneys take the position that
involvement by DOE personnel in the activities of the BARC might be
used later against the government if the lawsuit filed by the Bikinians
is litigated. (460) In response to
Yates, DOE Secretary Hodel agrees on 8 February to the importance of
a cooperative effort between the DOE and the BARC. Because he is moving
to a new agency, he will bring this matter to the attention of the new
DOE secretary. (46l) Feb 1985 RADIATION ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR The PASO Mission Number 3, FY 1985, is conducted on Bikini Atoll as
part of the terrestrial investigations to measure and analyze radionuclides
in the environment to help formulate dose assessments. (462)
12 Feb 1985 ADMINISTRATION Ray notifies Dr. W. L Robison of LLNL, "DOE party chief,"
that the DOE has accepted the recommendation of the chairman of the
Micronesia Interagency Group and has suspended its direct involvement
with ELARC until the Bikini litigation has been resolved. (463)
Mar 1985 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR MEDICAL RADIATION The BNL issues Thyroid Absorbed Dose for People at Rongelap, Utirik,
and Sifo on March 1, 1954. This report concludes that the overall thyroid
cancer risk estimate was in agreement with results published an the
Japanese exposed at Nagasaki and Hiroshima. BNL scientists also "postulate
that the major route for intake of fallout was by direct ingestion of
food prepared and consumed outdoors."(464)
1 Mar 1985 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTOR MEDICAL The PASO issues the Operations Plan, Mission Number 4, FY 1985, for
a March 1985 trip to Ebeye, Majuro, Utirik, and Rongelap as part of
the medical surveillance by BNL of persons exposed to fallout in 1954.
The plan includes the monitoring of a control group of unexposed persons
and provisions for an expanded health care program. (465)
13 Mar 1985 AGREEMENT RELOCATION The Bikinians' suit against the U.S. is settled with the signing of
the Memorandum of Agreement which, along with the COFA and the Compact
Section 177 Agreement provides the means to accomplish the rehabilitation
and resettlement of Bikini Atoll. The U.S. pledges to facilitate rehabilitation
and resettlement and to provide funds pursuant to the Compact Section
177 Agreement to assist resettlement. The U.S. also agrees to assist
the HARC to conduct a series of surveys and studies. (466)
27 Apr 1985 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR RADIATION The PASO issues the Operations Plan, Mission Number 5, FY 1985, for
a trip to Bikini Atoll in April-May 1985 as part of the LLNL's terrestrial
investigations to measure and analyze radionuclides in the environment.
This effort is an integrated mission with the BARC to use the scientific
work done by the LLNL to complement the Brace's task of investigating
how radioactive contamination can be reduced while respecting the biological
and environmental integrity of the atoll. The DOE and the DOI are working
out a satisfactory arrangement for the LLNL BARC arrangement. (467)
1 May 1985 CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP Representing the council and people of Enewetak before the Subcommittee
on Interior of the House Committee on Appropriations, David P. Anderson
of the law firm of Wilma, Culture and Picketing cites increasing concern
that the transition from territorial status to COFA will occur without
ensuring the continuation of government programs on Enewetak and without
compensating the claims of the Enewetak people. According to Anderson,
the most important Enewetakese concern is that the U.S. "adequately
provide for the rehabilitation and resettlement of Enjebi."(468)
10 May 1985 AGREEMENT MEDICAL The current strategy of the BNL medical program required in PL 85-134
includes an annual cancer-related examination for the exposed Marshallese.
(469) 20 May 1985 RADIATION RELOCATION In response to a DOI inquiry on the habitability of Eneu Island, the DOE advises that resettlement with reasonable care to decrease exposures, such as substituting imported food for a major portion of the local coconut product intake, would not expose individuals beyond the range established by ICRP of 100 mrem a year for life-long exposure. (470)
21 May 1985 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL RADIATION An outline of the Marshall Islands program lists BNL responsible for
medical, radiation safety, and dose reassessment; the LLNL responsible
for radioecology studies, radiation dose assessment and a radiological
data bank; and H&N responsible for general support. (471)
22 May 1985 RADIATION RELOCATION Because of a fear of lingering contamination, 327 Rongelapese move
from Rongelap to Mejato Island, Kwa'jawin Atoll. Ray states that radiation
levels on Rongelap pose no health problems. McCraw protests that the
DOE did not correct the erroneous high exposure prediction for the Rongelapese
in the 1982 Marshallese English booklet. (472)
20 Jun 1985 RADIATION RELOCATION Michael Wygant, a Department of State status liaison officer on Saipan; DOE; and U.S. military officials visit the Rongelapese on Mejato Island. The Rongelapese express their displeasure with Mejato Island. Although the Rongelapese publicly state that their new residence is permanent, the U.S. government visitors find indications that this may not be a permanent move. (473)
22 Jul 1985 RADIATION RELOCATION ADMINISTRATION Analyzing the May 1985 Rongelap Atoll evacuation, McCraw traces the
beginning of the situation to the 8-9 December 1982 meeting at Majuro
Atoll on the results of the 1978 survey. At this meeting the Rongelap
people were told to make their own decisions regarding the consumption
of food. Next BNL measurements of whole body exposures in 1982 and 1983
revealed an increase partially caused by the increased consumption of
food from more contaminated islands at Rongelap. McCraw believes that
"this appears to have been profoundly disturbing experience for
some Marshallese and an action that undermines confidence in the DOE
and the United States. The Rongelap people followed the advice they
were given, made the judgment to not accept the risk, and left their
atoll."transfer of the Marshall Islands program to DP McCraw believes
that "DP's interest in the program appears to have primarily the
altruistic interests of one person who wanted to change radiological
rules used in the Marshalls, rules that were causing hardships through
the loss of contaminated land. EP's ignoble interest in transferring
the program to DP was apparently to get rid of a hot-potato, and had
nothing to do with Safeguard C."(474)
Aug 1985 RADIATION Reflecting a change in the DOE radiation protection policy, William
Vaughan signs a memorandum that states, "It is DOE policy to follow
the guidance of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements
(NCRP) to the fullest extent practicable...."Previously radiation
standards were derived from federal requirements recommended by the
Federal Radiation Council (FRC) and approved by the President. (475)
02 Aug 1985 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR The PASO issues the Operations Plan, Mission Number 7, FY 1985, for
an expedition to Enewetak on 7-21 August 1985 by the Marine Science
Institute of the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) to
study crustaceans through the University of Hawaii's Institute of Marine
Biology (HIMB), funded by the DOE. (476)
05 Aug 1985 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR The PASO issues the Operations Plan, Mission Number 8, FY 1985, for
an August 1985 trip to Enewetak, lcili, and Majuro as part of BNL's
urine bioassay program. (477) Oct - Nov 1985 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL During the BNL medical team visit to RMI the team makes its first
visit to Mejato to examine the Rongelapese who moved there in May 1985.
The scientists determine that more children than usual were not maintaining
their position on the growth charts. After comparing the growth curves
with similar charts of Utirik children, the team suggests possibility
of childhood malnutrition. (478) 10 Dec 1985 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY The RMI requests that upon the enactment of U.S. legislation to implement
the COFA that the DOE continue the radiological health program for certain
people of Rongelap and Utirik and USDA continue agriculture and food
programs for the people of Bikini and Enewetak. (479)
13 Dec 1985 ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY Congress passes P.L 99-239, which includes approval of the COFA (480)
According to Harry Brown of the NV, the major provisions of interest
to the DOE in the COFA are: * The payment under subsection 177; * The
provision of special medical care to the exposed peoples of Rongelap
and Utirik; * Unreimbursed technical and other assistance for the first
five years after the effective date for the agricultural maintenance
and food programs for the Enewetakese and Bikinians and waterbome transportation
of agricultural products to Enewetak; * The RMI use of section 177 funds
to contract with qualified scientists to review DOE data on the habitability
of Rongelap; * A report within a year, upon the request of the RMI,
on the time and circumstances for resettlement of Enjebi; and * The
U.S. commitment to restore Bikini Atoll and funding authorization. (481)
23 Dec 1985 ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT The DOE recognizes goals included in the passage of the COFA. The espousal of claims against the U.S. by the RMI government for damage and injuries resulting from nuclear testing and designation of the U.S. president as the official responsible for deciding which cabinet-level secretary should be responsible for the radiological health care of the Marshallese. (482)
14 Jan 1986 AGREEMENT LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY President Ronald W. Reagan signs P.L 99-239. (DOE responsibilities
outlined in P.L 99-239 are addressed throughout the chronology.) Issues
are addressed that are implemented through the Section 177 agreement.
The act concerns such matters as the restoration of the habitability
of Ronielap Island and the review of the DOE's data collected on radiation
on Rongelap, Enjebi Island resettlement, and Bikini Atoll cleanup. The
act declares that it is the policy of the U.S. to fulfill its responsibility
to restore Bikini Atoll to habitability and authorizes appropriation
of the funds necessary to implement the settlement agreement in The
People of Bikini, et al. vs. the United States of America. (483)
15 Jan 1986 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR MEDICAL The current Marshall Islands programs include medical programs conducted by the BNL, environmental sampling and the DOE assessments by the LLNL, bioassay monitoring by BNL, and logistical support provided by the PASO through H&N. (484)
21-25 Jan 1986 ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT Harry Brown travels to Majuro, Enewetak, and Kwajalein to orient PASO
Director Joseph H. Dryden with the area. At Majuro Brown and Dryden
discuss approval of the COFA, and at Enewetak the DOE role at Enewetak
under the COFA. (485) 6 Feb 1986 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR RADIATION The PASO issues the Operation Plan, Mission Number 3, FY 1986, for
a February-March 1986 LLNL/BARC trip to Bikini Atoll and a LLNL trip
to Enewetak and Rongelap atolls for terrestrial investigations to measure
and analyze radionuclides and the emulation of dose assessments to individuals.
The LLNL and the BARC have agreed to collaborate on scientific field
work on Bikini under the DOE sponsorship. (486)
Mar - Apr 86 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR MEDICAL The BNL medical team conducts medical examinations for 353 adults
in the Marshall islands. (487) 22 May 1986 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY The MIPC issues Recommendations on Post Compact of Free Association
Programs by the U.S. Department of Energy Relative to Post Nuclear Testing
in the Marshall lslands that includes recommendations on certain DOE
programs after the termination of the trusteeship. The MIPG recommends
that the DOE continue to provide the special health care programs to
those exposed to Castle Bravo and complete environmental assessments
and dose predictions for the next three years to meet COFA commitments.
After three years technical assistance will be available to the RMI
on a reimbursable basis. BNL proposes to analyze urine samples for plutonium
by using the new fission track etch technique. According to Harry Brown,
LLNL researchers have questioned the reliability of this method. (488)
late May 1986 ADMINISTRATION CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP MEDICAL RADIATION RELOCATION Representatives of BARC, LLNL, PASO, H&N, and NV visit Bikini
Atoll to orient congressional staff to DOE BARC work at Bikini. At a
28 May 1986 meeting requested by the Bikinians the congressional and
DOI staffs express the desire for DOE to finish experiments that will
lead to decisions on the cleanup. (489)
Jul 1986 ADMINISTRATION Because of the impending termination of the T.T. government the DOE makes a field visit to the field station in Enewetak to review operations, initiate rollup activities, and to discuss matters and plans with the Enewetak Council. (490)
18 Jul 1986 AGREEMENT CONTRACTORS To protect the Enewetak people, DOE NV and DNA sign an agreement for
monitoring the Cactus Crater Storage Structure, which contains radiologically
contaminated soil and debris on Runit Island, Enewetak Atoll. The DOE/NV
will provide the services of its contractors to monitor the storage
facility, and the DNA will reimburse the DOE/NV for routine and special
monitoring. (491) 21 July 1986 ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT RADIATION RELOCATION The U.S. and the RMI sign an agreement on the resettlement of Enjebi Island. Under the agreement, the Marshall Islands government requests the U.S. to monitor the radiation and other conditions on Enjebi and report back to the Marshall Islands government within a year. The U.S. report will address the question of if and when the U.S. can arrange for the Enjebi people to resettle safely at Enjebi. If Enjebi can be resettled, the report will explain how the radioactive contamination there, including that from consumption of locally grown food, can be reduced or controlled to meet whole body federal radiation protection standards for the general population. Under the agreement if Enjebi can be resettled within 25 years of the enactment of P.L 99-239, the Enjebi Community Trust Fund can be used for community development. If Enjebi cannot be resettled within that time, the agreement calls for the trust fund to be used for resettlement elsewhere of the Enjebi people. The RMI requests the Enjebi monitoring and the DOE agrees that by 20 July 1987 a report will be made. (492) The U.S. and the RMI sign an agreement to assure that lands on Ejit Island remain available for use by the people of Bikini until Bikini is restored and inhabitable. (493) The U.S. and the RMI sign an agreement regarding the implementation of U.S. economic assistance, programs, and services provided in COFA. (494)
Aug 1986 CONTRACTOR RELOCATION H&N and members of the Bikini Planning Council conduct a fact-finding
visit to Bikini Atoll to inspect Eneu Island and existing-facilities
and to develop preliminary design concepts for the base facilities and
the most cost-efficient way to develop them. (495)
28 Aug - 13 Sep 1986 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL The BNL medical team on a mission to Kwajalein, Uterik, Mejato, Ebeye,
and Majuro conducts follow-up examinations of the Marshallese. (496)
5 Sep 1986 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR In the DOE briefings and discussions with the RMI the current Marshall
Islands medical, environmental, bioassay, and logistics support programs
are outlined. (497) 30 Sep 1986 CONTRACTOR MEDICAL Edward T. Lessard of BNL presents "Review of Marshall Islands Fallout Studies,"which summarizes the various studies that have been conducted to determine the level of radiological exposures to the Marshallese (498) FY 1987, 1988, 1989 AGREEMENT CONTRACTOR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY The Marshall Island dose assessment and environmental programs respond
to the requirements stated in COFA. The three relevant requirements
are: a review of the Rongelap dose assessments and restoration for rehabilitation
of Rongelap, if required; a dose assessment of Enjebi Island; and recommendations
on resettlement and rehabilitation of Bikini Atoll. !he LLNL conducts
most of these tasks. (499) 10 Oct 1986 AGREEMENT The agreement for implementation of the COFA is signed by the U.S.
and the RMI. (500) 15 Oct 1986 CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY The DOI and the DOE are directed to develop a plan for providing federal funding for the continuing activities of the LLNL and the BARC on Bikini Atoll after FY 1987. A report on this plan must be submitted to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations by 1 February 1987. (501)
21 Oct 1986 AGREEMENT The COFA becomes effective. (502)
10-15 Nov 1986 ADMINISTRATION CONTRACTOR The purpose of this DOE and H&N trip to Enewetak and Bikini is to discuss with the Enewetak community the uncertainties of the DOE's Marshall Islands program beyond FY 1987; to suggest that the DOI and Enewetak look for alternatives to the DOE H&N for food and agriculture; and to evaluate LLNL BARC progress at Bikini in radiological assessment. (503)
14 Nov 1986 CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY MEDICAL In P.L. 99-658 Congress approves and provides for U.S. interpretation
of the COFA. Congress directs the DOE and the DOI to submit a report
to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations each fiscal year
that will detail how funds were spent during the previous fiscal year
for the special medical care and logistical support programs for Rongelap
and Utirik and for the agriculture and food programs for Enewetak and
Bikini. The reports should also specify anticipated needs regarding
these programs. Congress states that these programs represent "special
and continuing moral commitments of the United States which will be
annually funded to the extent of the need of the populations of such
atolls for such assistance (504) 1987 AGREEMENT The first compensation payments are made to the people of Bikini,
Enewetak, Utirik, and Rongelap as outlined in Section 177 subsidiary
agreement of COFA. (505) Jan 1987 CONTRACTOR RELOCATION H&N issues an engineering study associated with the first phase of
final resettlement of the Bikini people. Rehabilitation and resettlement
is expected to be completed by the mid-1990s. The resettlement program
began after the BARC determined at the Eneu Island on Bikini Atoll is
safe for human habitation. (506) CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
CONTRACTOR
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY
MEDICAL
The DOE DP reports to the House Committee on Appropriations, as required
by P.L. 99-658, detailing how funds were spent in 1986 on the medical
program for Rongelap and Utirik. The medical department of BNL has responsibility
for the program. The DOE provides or arranges for logistical support,
and all missions include a representative from the DOE. Two ship-supported
medical missions were carried out in FY 1986. (507)
2-9 Mar 1987
MEDICAL
RADIATION
Harry Brown travels to Honolulu and Majuro to discuss with RMI officials
the four-atoll health plan and the independent review of DOE's assessment
of Rongelap. (508) 30 Mar 1987
MEDICAL
The NV health, physics, and experimental division (HPE) recommends
that the LLNL dosimetry predictions be used in the resettlement decisions
of the Marshall Islands and that the BNL fission track etch technique
be developed and validated to measure plutonium levels in urine. These
decisions are based on recommendations and comments of Marshall Islands
Dosimetry Review Group (MIDRG) and consultants from LLNL and BNL. (509)
06 Apr 1987
RADIATION
The RMI seeks assistance from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
in identifying an individual or organization to review the data collected
by the DOE and the resulting conclusions concerning radiation levels
and other conditions at Rongelap. (510)
22 Apr 1987
RADIATION
RELOCATION
John Sieg of the National Research Council of the National Academy
of Sciences (NRC NAS) asks Tommy McCraw of DOE about the Rongelap situation
and the amount of available information because the Rongelapese have
requested the NRC NAS to advise them on whether they can safely return
to Rongelap Atoll. (511) 27 Apr 1987 - 23 May 1987
MEDICAL
CONTRACTOR
The BNL conducts its annual medical mission to Kwajalein Ebeye, Majuro,
and Uterik. During this trip town meetings are held prior to the examinations
to describe the work and answer questions. (512)
30 Apr 1987
RADIATION
In comments on the DOE draft order, DOE 5480.XX "Radiation Protection
of the Public and the Environment," Tommy McCraw questions the
new policy that would create DOE radiation protection standards "consistent
with the recommendations of the NCRP and the ICRP and the guidance and
standards issued by EPA." McCraw believes that, "the Department
needs; Federal Regulations that have been approved at the highest levels,
not recommendations lifted from ICRP and NCRP reports." He recommends
that the introductory statement for DOE radiation policy should be:
"DOE implements the Federal radiation protection policy and regulations
recommended by the EPA and approved by the President for the protection
of the public and environment. DOE operations will be considered to
be in compliance with radiation protection requirements when basic Federal
regulations are met." (513) 15 May 1987
ADMINISTRATION
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
The DOE proposes to provide and fund in FY 1988 and beyond the medical
program for the Marshallese exposed to fallout in the 1954 test Castle
Bravo. (514) 20 May 1987
MEDICAL
RADIATION
Tommy McCraw urges that the DOE should correct its own mistakes and
develop a Marshallese English report that presents the correct information
on Rongelap exposures, "one that places this information in proper
perspective using radiation standards with emphasis on the continuing
need for restrictions on northern island foods,"; as well as providing
information on medical issues. (515)
10 Jun 1987
ADMINISTRATION
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION
An external review of the LLNL's Marshall Islands dosimetry, conducted
by the Marshall Islands Dosimetry Group (MIDG), finds that the dosimetry
is appropriate and that the BNL technique for plutonium bioassay is
worthy of continued support. HPE established MIDG to assess this program.
(516) 01 Jul 1987
ADMINISTRATION
CONTRACTOR
RADIATION
The PASO issues Operations Plan 87-5, Mission Number 5, FY 1987, for
an August 1987 LLNL BARC trip to Enewetak and Bikini Atolls as part
of their terrestrial investigations. (517)
10 Jul 1987
ADMINISTRATION
AGREEMENT
DOI Order Number 3119 delegates the authority of the Secretary of
the Interior for the T.T. to the assistant secretary, territorial and
international affairs, who will guarantee that all obligations and responsibilities
under the 1947 trusteeship are fulfilled. (518)
24 Jul 1987
ADMINISTRATION
AGREEMENT
The DOE agrees to provide assistance to the DOI and the BARC for the
Enewetak food-related programs and the ELARC work at Bikini. (519)
Aug 1987
CONTRACTOR
RADIATION
The RMI contracts with Dr. Henry Kohn, chairman of the BARC, to review
the 1982 DOE report on the risks of resettling Rongelap and to assesses
the adequacy of the data on which the report was based. (520)
01 Aug 1987
RADIATION
CONTRACTOR
H&N reports that the Runit concrete dome's structural integrity is
not impaired and there are no radiation leaks. (521)
07 Aug 1987
MEDICAL
The journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) publishes,
"Thyroid Neoplasia in Marshall Islanders Exposed to Nuclear Fallout"
by Thomas E. Hamilton, Gerald van Belle, and James P. LoGerfo from the
University of Washington. Using results from examinations of 7,266 Marshallese
from 14 atolls, including southern atolls, the authors studied the risk
of thyroid neoplasia in Marshall Islanders exposed to radioiodines from
Castle Bravo. Their study reveals that "an excess of thyroid nodules
was not limited only to the two northern atolls but extended throughout
the northern atolls; this suggests a linear dose-response relationship."(522)
25 Aug 1987
RADIATION
RELOCATION
The RMI announces the selection of Dr. Henry I. Kohn to conduct the
reassessment of the 1982 report. (523)
27 Aug 1987
ADMINISTRATION
AGREEMENT
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
The PASO issues Operations Plan, Mission Number 87-6, for a September-October
1987 trip to Ebeye, Majuro, Utirik, and Meiato as part of medical surveillance
by BNL on people exposed during Castle Bravo, This will be the fifth
visit to the Rongelapese on Mejato Island, Kwajalein Atoll (524)
To enable the DOE to withdraw as soon Enewetak annual food supply, agricultural,
and other rehabilitation programs to train local personnel and set up
a system in which the Marshallese operate the programs. the DOI will
request $2,149,900 worth of work through a support agreement made by
the DOE. The funds will provide agricultural-clearing and fertilization,
special studies, a Bikini dock design, and a plan for Eneu. (525)
Sep 1987
MEDICAL
CONTRACTOR
BNL conducts a follow-up medical trip to conduct examinations for
the exposed people of Rongelap and Utirik. (526)
21 Sep 1987
ADMINISTRATION
Representatives of the RMI, the U.S. government, and the Enewetak
local government council discuss the five-year continuation of the Enewetak
agriculture and food program and establish a working group to develop
recommendations for the U.S Congress regarding this program in FY 1989
and beyond. (527)
01 Oct 1987
AGREEMENT
MEDICAL
RADIATION
The DOI reaches an understanding with the RMI that the target for
a full takeover of the Enewetak programs will be by the end of FY 1989.
The food, agricultural, and other programs will be turned over to the
Enewetak government by the end of FY 1988. (528)
05 Oct 1987
ADMINISTRATION
CONTRACTOR
The PASO issues Operations Plan 88-1, which outlines a wato, or family
landholding line survey to identify, mark, and record all wato lines
on Bikini by H&N from 19-26 October 1987. (529)
12 Oct 1987
ADMINISTRATION
CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
CONTRACTOR
RADIATION
The PASO issues Operations Plan 88-2, Mission Number 2, FY 88, for
a November-December 1987 trip to Bikini, Rongelap, and Majuro by the
LLNL to conduct terrestrial investigations and to measure and analyze
radionuclides in the environment. The BARC -Will collaborate on the
scientific field work at Bikini. (530)
14 Oct 1987
ADMINISTRATION
AGREEMENT
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
RADIATION
The DOE's positions on Bikini scientific programs are as follows:
the medical program will continue for the next several years and will
include monitoring; the radiological safety program conducted by BNL
is important to verify predictions of exposure to returning Bikinians;
and a LLNL Environmental program "follow-on" program is necessary
to monitor exposures in relationship to the predictions. (531)
A memorandum of understanding between the DOE and the Section 177
Health Plan, authorized in the COFA, insures that health care and services
are provided to the Marshallese exposed to nuclear testing in a unified
coordinated, and unduplicated manner. The Section 177 Health Plan is
the health care program for the Marshallese authorized under P.L 96-205
of 12 March 1960. No portion of the understanding can be implemented
without the review and concurrence of the RMI Secretary, Ministry of
Health Services. (532) 14 Oct 1987
ADMINISTRATION
RADIATION
MEDICAL
The MIPG reaches a consensus that the whole body urine analysis program
must be conducted for several years to determine dose predictions for
Bikinians and the Enjebi people. (533)
10 Nov 1987
CLAIMS
The U.S. Claims Court dismisses three claims cases, Juda vs. U.S.,
Peter vs. U.S., and Nitol vs. U.S. The Court holds that the COFA withdrew
the consent of the U.S. to be sued for claims of the Marshall Islanders
arising from the nuclear testing program. (534)
16 Nov 1987
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
RADIATION
The DOE advocates a whole body counting urine analysis program for
people returning to work and live on Bikini Atoll. BNL and the LLNL
draft five-year plans for the continuation of the medical and environmental
programs on Bikini'. (535) 01 Dec 1987
ADMINISTRATION
The DOE is not budgeting for Bikini work beyond FY 1988 on the basis
that a resettlement plan and appropriations should include the programs
as part of the overall effort. (536)
1988
RADIATION
CONTRACTOR
Anant R. Moorthy, Carl J. Schopfer, and Sujit Banerjee of BNL publish,
"Plutonium from Atmospheric Weapons Testing. Fission Track Analysis
of Urine Samples." This article concerns a more accurate technique
for measuring plutonium in urine and describes the analyses of Marshallese
urine samples for plutonium levels that began at BNL in 1983. When analyzed
with the 1983 method, Photon Electron Rejection Alpha Liquid Scintillation
Counting the samples appeared to contain higher rates of plutonium than
when analyzed with the more accurate 1986 fission track analysis. According
to BNL, earlier high plutonium results from urinalyses of Marshallese
resulted also from contamination during collection. With the new method
BNL expects to satisfy islanders' plutonium concerns. (537)
07 Jan 1988
ADMINISTRATION
CONTRACTOR
RADIATION
RELOCATION
The LLNL recommends potassium treatment of the soil for the uptake
of cesium 137 in the northern Marshall Islands. (538)
The DOE/NV and the DOI sign an amendment number one to a memorandum
of agreement for the establishment of a base camp at Bikini Atoll. This
amendment revises the scope of work for the Bikini Atoll Resettlement
Project to allow DOE to hire an independent scientific consultant to
review the work and provides the DOI with strengthened oversight and
accountability for the funds. (539)
12 Jan 1988
ADMINISTRATION
MEDICAL
The office of emergency response
and program analysis is established as part of a NV reorganization.
Harry Brown, Marshall Islands program manager, is designated deputy
project manager of that office. This move necessitates a review of NV's
management responsibility of the DOE's Marshall Islands programs. Brown
retains his position as Marshall Islands program manager overseeing
the BNL and the LLNL efforts. He is also designated the principal contact
point for policy matters with the headquarters program office, other
federal agencies, and the RMI government. The PASO is to participate
more actively in policy making. (540)
Representatives of the DOE and the 177 Health Plan sign a memorandum
of agreement that describes the various medical responsibilities of
each organization, including the individuals eligible for each program;
the coordination of medical referrals; and the exchange of medical information.
(541) 26 Jan 1988
RELOCATION
Sens. James A. McClure and Bennett Johnston write to President Ronald
W. Reagan to express concern over the Bikini Atoll cleanup and resettlement.
To fulfill the U.S. commitment, McClure and Johnston urge that the President
"seize this opportunity and work closely with the Bikinians on
developing a plan, as anticipated under the 1985 settlement, to meet
our government's commitments and to resolve ongoing or potential litigation."(542)
16 Feb 1988
ADMINISTRATION
Because of the obligations of the U.S. under the COFA, there is uncertainty
regarding the state of the Marshall Islands programs, according to Brown,
deputy program manager of the DOE office of emergency response and analysis.
He recommends that NV should continue as program planner and overseer
and that PASO should have an increased role.(543)
Mar 1988 - Apr 1988
ADMINISTRATION
CONTRACTOR
RADIATION
The PASO issues Operations Plan 88-4, Mission Number 4, FY 88, for
a March-April 1988 trip to Enewetak and Bikini by the LLNL to conduct
terrestrial investigations and to measure and analyze radionuclides.
The BARC will collaborate on the scientific field work at Bikini. (544)
11 Mar 1988
RADIATION
MEDICAL
CONTRACTOR
The BNL's approach to determining the body count of Pu 239 in Rongelap
and Bikini people is to collect and analyze urine samples. BNL scientists
interpret the plutonium levels after accounting for exposure patterns.
Edward T. Lessard of BNL suggests that "the focus of the program
should be to attempt to develop estimates of annual intake for each
age group based on excretion of Pu 239."Lessard urges that urine
sampling begin immediately of former residents of Bikini and Rongelap
before they return to their former islands. (545)
Apr 1988
CONTRACTOR
RELOCATION
H&N issues a preliminary plan for the rehabilitation and resettlement
of Rongelap Atoll. (546) 15 Apr 1988
ADMINISTRATION
CONTRACTOR
RADIATION
According to Harry Brown, DOE NV, the DOE does not plan to fund a
field effort for the LLNL in the Marshall Islands beyond FY 1988. The
DOE also recommends a scaled-down field and analysis effort at Bikini
and Enewetak for the next few years and is willing to provide technical
assistance to the RMI on a reimbursable basis. (547)
20 Apr 1988
CONTRACTOR
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION
RELOCATION
In his Rongelap reassessment study, Kohn concludes that Rongelap Island
may be resettled if certain conditions are met. The study also states
that the measurement of plutonium excretion in the urine of Rongelapese
shows a great variation and should be studied further and that radiation
doses of infants and small children are of potential concern. (548)
28 Apr 1988
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
RADIATION
According to the BNL's director of the Marshall Islands medical program,
by providing operating funds, the DOE has permitted an extension of
the medical program to cover many aspects of health care unrelated to
radiation exposure and to offer medical services to a great number of
unexposed persons. (549) 29 Apr 1988
MEDICAL
CONTRACTOR
During the BNL spring missions to the Marshall Islands a 177 Health
Plan physician accompanies the medical team as part of a joint effort,
but no DOE liaison officer is present. (550)
01 Jul 1988
ADMINISTRATION
CONTRACTOR
RADIATION
The PASO issues Operations Plan 88-5, Mission Number 5, FY 1988, for
an August 1988 trip to Bikini and Rongelap by the LLNL to conduct terrestrial
investigations and to measure and analyze radionuclides in the environment.
The BARC will collaborate on the scientific field work at Bikini. (551)
22 Jul 1988
RELOCATION
The BARC concludes that on the basis of current federal guidelines
Eneu Island may be resettled and can serve as the base of operations
for the rehabilitation of Bikini Island. (552)
01-26 Sep 1988
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
BNL conducts a sampling bioassay mission to Rongelap and Utirik. (553)
14 Sep 1988
CONTRACTOR
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION
Bernd Franke, a consultant of Kohn's for the Rongelap Reassessment
Project, writes RMI Senator Hiroshi Yamamura to make him aware of the
problem of plutonium levels in urine of the Rongelapese. Franke believes
that the plutonium concentrations on Utirik should be reinvestigated.
(554) 23 Sep 1988
AGREEMENT
MEDICAL
The DOE officials propose that for FY 1990 the RMI provide matching
funds of $2 million. Combined DOE and RMI funding would pay for whole
body counting and bioassay medical studies; environmental assessments
of the long-range effectiveness of the preventive technologies used
at Bikini Atoll; logistical support for the DOE operations; and a program
of radiological education. (555) FY 1989
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
RADIATION
The Marshall islands program includes medial surveillance provided
by the BNL, environmental studies conducted by the LLNL, and whole body
counts and other bioassay procedures pertaining to the Rongelap and
Utirik people by the BNL. (556) Oct 1988
CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
RADIATION
A House concurrent resolution is introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives
stating that it is the sense of the House that funds be appropriated
for the phase 2 comprehensive radiation and health study at Rongelap
Atoll. (557) 07 Oct 1988
AGREEMENT
MEDICAL
The RMI states that it is not in a position to match the funds for
the DOE programs in FY 1990. Out of concern for the well-being of the
people of Bikini, Enewetak, and Rongelap, the RMI hopes that the U.S.
government VVIII obtain sufficient funding. (558)
21 Oct 1988
CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
RELOCATION
Reps. Miller and Udall and Del. de Lugo submit House Congressional
Resolution 395 that expresses the sense of Conitress regarding the habitability
of Rongelap Atoll. The resolution concludes that the DOE and the DOI
should make funds available to the RMI to contract for a comprehensive
study of the habitability of Rongelap. (559)
26 Oct 1988
RADIATION
In response to a RMI request to provide recommendations as to how
to decrease the uptake of cesium 137 in food crops, the DOE suggests
applying 1200 pounds per acre of potassium chloride. This process is
used on Eneu through the DOI. (560) 02 Nov 1988
RADIATION
In a draft proposal the DOE outlines a radiological education program
for the Marshallese. (561) 01 Dec 1988
ADMINISTRATION
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
RADIATION
The DOE has conducted two ship-supported medical missions in FY 1988.
The FY 1989 program is similar in scope to the past year. (562)
08 Dec 1988
CLAIMS
The U.S. Court of Appeals sustains the U.S. Claims Court dismissals
of Peter vs. U.S. and Nitol vs. U.S. in ruling on the People of Rongelap
and other Marshall Islands vs. U.S. The claimants in Juda vs. U.S. also
appeal but move to dismiss the suit following the enactment of special
legislation which appropriates funds for the Bikini people. (563)
23 Jan 1989
MEDICAL
CONTRACTOR
The BNL issues Medical Status of Marshallese Accidently Exposed
to 1954 Bravo Fallout Radiation: January 1985 through December
1987, which reports no significant difference in the survival rates
among the exposed Rongelapese and Utirikese and unexposed Rongelapese.
(564) Feb 1989
RADIATION
The LLNL's study, Estimates of Radiological Dose from Ingestion of
C-137 and Sr-90 to Infants, Children, and Adults in the Marshall Islands,
concludes that the estimated integral dose equivalent for adults is
a conservative estimate for infants and children. (565)
17 Feb 1989-09 Mar 1989
ADMINISTRATION
RADIATION
RELOCATION
Harry U. Brown of NV recommends on 17 February that a meeting with
Rongelap representatives state that the DOE should take no official
position on phase 2 because, according to the law, the reassessment
of the habitability of Rongelap Island is RMI's responsibility. Further,
he asserts, "We maintain Rongelap Island is habitable. (566)
At the 8 and 9 March meeting of officials of Rongelap, the RMI,
and the DOE to foster better relations and discuss the resettlement
of Rongelap, the DOE's positions are that Rongelap is radiologically
safe and that the dose assessments are correct as stated at the meeting.
The RMI Sen. Anjin expresses his desire for another opinion regarding
the habitability of Rongelap. (567)
Mar 1989
ADMINISTRATION
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
RADIATION
The FY 1990 program includes medical surveillance of the individuals
exposed to nuclear testing various environmental studies, and whole
body counting and other bioassay procedures pertaining to the Rongelap
and Utirik people. The projected FY 1991 program continues the medical
program and the whole body counts and bioassay procedures only to a
level of basic capability but includes no additional environmental field
work unless the RMI requests and funds such work. (568)
01 Mar 1989
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION
RELOCATION
In an amended version of his Rongelap Reassessment Project Report,
Kohn concludes that Rongelap Island is safe for habitation by adults
if the diet consists of local and imported foods. He also recommends
that the plutonium excretion in the urine should be studied because
of great variations in the measurements of Rongelapese. (569)
8-9 Mar 1989
ADMINISTRATION
A DOE Rongelap meeting is held to foster better relations and discuss
issues relative to the resettlement of Rongelap. (570)
14 Mar 1989- 14 Apr 1989
MEDICAL
CONTRACTOR
During the BNL medical mission to the Marshall Islands the DOE also
holds informational meetings for the Marshallese prior to their medical
examinations. (571) 23 Mar 1989
ADMINISTRATION
CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
RADIATION
Oscar de Brum, the RMI Chief Secretary, writes to Rep. Samuel B. Thomsen
to request technical assistance from the DOE to outline options and
costs for conducting a nationwide survey of radiological conditions.
EG&G later conducts this feasibility study. (572)
Apr - May 1989
RADIATION
RELOCATION
In April the DOE publishes Talleb In Iet Melele Ko Kin Enjebi,
Enjebi Information Summary, Kemelelen Eniebi Island Dose
Assessment Ilo Kajin Majol Im Ukot Ilo Kajin English An Interpretation
in the Marshallese Language (with English Translation) of UCRL
53805 Eniebi Island Dose Assessment. The summary is an instructional
and briefing aid for the people of Enjebi regarding the resettlement
of Enjebi Island. (573) This work is
a report in layman's language of LLNL studies by William Robison and
associates of potential radiation doses to people living on Enjebi.
Roger Ray, retired from the DOE, has written the text in layman's language
with the assistance of Alice Buck, an American fluent in Marshallese,
and two Marshallese. The document explains that The Enjebi people can
eat food from the food-bearing trees on Eniebi however, it would be
good for about half of the food they eat to come from other islands
... and from boats or airplanes that bring food. If the Enjebi people
want to eat only food from Enjebi ... the amount of radiation they will
receive will be more, unless they wait 30 years to resettle. (574)
07 Apr 1989
ADMINISTRATION
CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
MEDICAL
RADIATION
DP submits a report to Congress, as required by P.L. 100-371, that
outlines DOE's health and environmental programs for 1989-1991.The programs
will continue at their current level until 1991. In FY 1991 the medical
program will function at its current level until it can be integrated
into the Marshall Islands health care program; the environmental studies
will be concluded and no additional field work will be conducted; and
the radiological safety program will be continued only at a level of
basic capability. (575) 12 Apr 1989
AGREEMENT
RADIATION
P&D Technologies issues to the Rongelap Atoll local government a recommended
phase 2 work plan for a comprehensive and independent radiation study
of the Ron lap Atoll as set forth in P.L. 99-239 and the COFA. The report
addresses unresolved health, radiation, and habitability issues raised
by the Rongelap people, such as uncertainty about their health; lack
of information about radiation levels throughout the atoll; the issue
of plutonium in their bodies; conflicting U.S. policies about food;
uncertainty about the habitability of Rongelap for children; confusion
about the map in the 1982 DOE radiation report; the DOE use of averages
in its reports and studies; confusion about radiation dose guidelines;
and uncertainty about the future economy of Rongelap. It sets forth
a work plan focusing on the preparation of personal medical record files;
a baseline health survey; a radiological survey; a bioassay sampling
monitoring and diet survey; dose assessment; an economic and environmental
study, sociological/cultural support; and recommended decontamination
and resettlement strategies. The plan calls for access to and use of
the DOE data with the DOE assistance and involvement but with control
and direction of the study completely independent of the DOE. (576)
01 May 1989
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION
According to David L Wheeler, senior health physicist at NV, the DOE
uses the standards developed during the Enewetak cleanup for transuranics
cleanup. This criteria, the removal of soil with contamination in excess
of 4OOpCi/g, was developed during the Enewetak cleanup because no authoritative
criteria existed. Consequently, states Wheeler, there is no reason for
the Rongelapese not to return to their island because the Rongelap Island
contamination levels do not exceed EPA guidelines. (577)
02 May 1989
RADIATION
After testimony that raises questions about the habitability of Rongelap,
House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Morris Udall, Subcommittee
on Insular and International Affairs Chairman Ronald de Lugo, and Rep.
George Miller introduce House Con. Res. 90 calling for a comprehensive
survey of radiation and other effects on Rongelap. The subcommittee
plans to examine closely the DOE 1989 report and other material pertaining
to the Rongelap situation. (578) 04 May 89
CONTRACTORT>
MEDICAL
PLUTONIUM
Wheeler visits BNL to discuss the urine analysis for plutonium content
of Marshall Island samples. Recently BNL has sent samples to the University
of Utah for a comparison study between laboratories. (579)
01 Jun 1989
RADIATION
According to DOE Secretary James Watkins, at his request the NAS establishes
on this date a standing Committee on Radiation Epidemiological Research
Programs to provide independents scientific advice to the DOE. The committee
will advise DOE on the status of its epidemiology program, the creation
of a comprehensive epidemiological data repository, the development
of protocols for the use of this repository, and the granting of independent
research proposals. (580) 05 Jun 1989
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION
All of the Rongelap and Utirik urine samples, except one, taken by
BNL in May 1989 show plutonium at background levels. (581)
10 Jul 1989
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
PLUTONIUM
In the report, "The Radiological Dose From Pu at Rongelap Island,"William
L. Robison, Casper Sun, and Charles B. Meinhold state that the estimated
committed dose equivalent from plutonium at Rongelap Island is very
similar for both the environmental and urine analyses. BNL and LLNL
agree on the plutonium dose on Rongelap Island. (582)
10 Jul 1989- 12 Aug 1989
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
PLUTONIUM
The BNL conducts whole body counting and urine sampling of Enewetak,
Medrin, Rongelap, and Utirik people. The eight team members collect
976 whole body counting records to reconfirm the radiological safety
of the Marshallese and 209 urine samples to monitor the Marshallese
uptake of plutonium. Precautions are taken during this mission to ensure
the minimum amount of contamination of the samples because of the probability
of contamination of the 1981-1984 samples during handling. (583)
02 Aug 1989
ADMINISTRATION
In testimony before the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs DOE
Secretary James D. Watkins announces the establishment of a special
advisory committee to conduct an independent evaluation of DOE epidemiological
activities. Watkins expects the committee also to provide guidance on
restructuring and enhancing the DOE epidemiological program, which he
finds "understaffed, underfunded, and underutilized. "He has
appointed Kristine Gebbie, administrator of the Oregon Health Division,
as the committee's chair. (584) 07 Aug 1989
RADIATION
The RMI forms a panel to consider if another radiological survey based
on the DOE's 1978 effort is necessary. (585)
30 Aug 1989
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
RADIATION
RELOCATION
William L. Robison of LLNL and Sun and Meinhold of BNL disagree with
statements made by Bernd Franke in "Is Rongetap Atoll Safe?"They
believe that Rongelap is safe for resettlement. To substantiate their
statements, they present data obtained in 1985-1987.(586)
All estimated doses for Rongelap Island based on data obtained in 1978,
1985, 1986, and 1987 and compared with the U.S. and worldwide background
doses are within a safe range. (587)
01 Sep 1989
ONTRACTOR
RADIATION
The Rongelap community is invited to send representatives to observe
the DOE/LLNL work to be conducted 18-27 November 1989. (588)
20 Sep 1989- 10 Oct 1989
MEDICAL
CONTRACTOR
William D. Jackson, PASO program liaison specialist, learns during
the fall BNL medical mission that DOE and the Nuclear Claims Tribunal
of the RMI government are planning to discuss a Marshall Islands radiological
survey sponsored by the tribunal. (589)
17 Oct 1989
CLAIMS
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY
MEDICAL
A decision by the DOI associate solicitor for general law concludes
that the provisions of COFA preempt Section 104 of P.L. 95-134. Therefore,
the DOI will not accept any more medical claims from the residents of
the RMI. (590) 18 Oct 1989
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION
William L. Robison of LLNL submits a paper to Harry U. Brown stating
why he does not believe that the "Tru Clean"soil decontamination
plant at Johnston Atoll should be used to decontaminate Rongelap soil
of plutonium concentrations. His major concern is that this would require
the removal of all of the coconut, breadfruit, pandanus, and lime trees
and all other vegetation from the island. (591)
23 Oct 1989
CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION
RELOCATION
Chairman Ron de Lugo of the House Subcommittee on Insular and International
Affairs invites DOE Secretary Watkins to testify at the 16 November
oversight hearing on the health of the Rongelap people. De Lugo submits
three pages of matters for the DOE to address at the hearing including
analyses of the Rongelap Reassessment Project report and the phase 2
work plan for "Making Rongelap Habitable,"a description of
Rongelap Atoll cleanup efforts and information on the DOE testing of
Rongelapese for plutonium or other transuranics. (592)
16 Nov 1989
ADMINISTRATION
CLAIMS
CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY
RELOCATION
Representing DOE Secretary Watkins, John L Meinhardt, DOE principal
deputy assistant secretary r defense programs, testifies at the House
Subcommittee on Insular and International Affairs oversight hearing
on Rongelap. Meinhardt declares, "We, as a country, accept full
responsibility for compensation to the citizens of the Marshall Islands
resulting from the Bravo event as well as other testing between 1946
and 1958."Emphasizing Watkins's commitment to environmental, health,
and safety matters, Meinhardt states that the DOE Secretary intends
to give the issues raised by the Rongelap people an additional review,"complete
the review within six months, and report the results "by next summer."With
respect to the Rongelap technical data supporting the current DOE position,
Meinhardt affirms, "We stand by these data."De Lugo asks Meinhardt
"to take a message back to Secretary Watkins, that this subcommittee
is very appreciative of the new approach."John Rudolph and Harry
Brown of DOE, Drs. William Adams and Charles Meinhold of BNL, and Dr.
William Robison of LLNL prepare draft statements for this hearing but
the DOE leadership cancels their testimony and replaces it with Meinhardt's.)
Later both de Lugo and Sen. Anjain refer to Meinhardt's review statement
as a "fresh look,"which Anjain says Watkins "promised"over
the objections of the DOE program managers... (593)
Testifying before the same House subcommittee, Sen. Anjain urges
that the independent study of Rongelap promised in P.L. 99-239 "be
promptly initiated." (594) According
to a letter by John C. Tuck, DOE, of 2 May 1990, Rudolph expresses the
Secretary's desire to have an outside review of DOE's past work regarding
the habitability of Rongelap. Bernd Franke, Henry Kohn, and Rosalie
Bertell testify regarding the Rongelap reassessment project. Robert
K. Lane, of P&D technologies, testifies about the phase 2 work plan
for an independent study of outstanding radiation and health issues
on Rongelap. (595) 21 Nov 1989
AGREEMENT
RADIATION
RELOCATION
Del. Ron de Lugo of the House Subcommittee on Insular and International
Insular Affairs, commends Secretary of Energy Watkins for Making a commitment
to take a "fresh look"at the issue of the radiation contamination
at Marshall Islands and the people of Rongelap Atoll. De Lugo requests
to DOE to address in the promised additional review the extent of information
disclosed to the Rongelapese and Congress on Rongelap radiation, safety,
and health issues and whether radiological surveys and a cleanup were
conducted on the atoll. (596) 07 Dec 1989
ADMINISTRATION
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION
The RMI requests assistance from the DNA in completing the cleanup
of Runit Island at Enewetak Atoll. (597)
Acting RMI President Kunio Lemari asks for Admiral Huntington Hardisty's
assistance in arranging for the DNA to complete cleanup of Runit Island.
He requests that the plutonium mining plant being used at Johnston Atoll
to extract plutonium from soil be used at Runit once cleanup is completed
on Johnston Atoll. This request is passed on to the American embassy
in Majuro. (598) 08 Dec 1989
ADMINISTRATION
AGREEMENT
The DOE PASO and DOI sign an informal agreement outlining financial
arrangements and program management under which the DOE will, on a cost
reimbursable basis, support certain DOI programs in the Marshall Islands.
(599)
28 Dec 1989
RADIATION
RELOCATION
RMI Sen. Jeton Anjain testifies before the DOE Secretarial Panel for
the Evaluation of Epidemiologic Research Activities (SPEERA). He relays
current Rongelapese concerns and submits recommendations based on the
interim report. He recommends that the Rongelap people have access to
the Rongelap medical and related records; that the phase 2 comprehensive
and independent study of Rongelap mandated under the COFA be initiated;
and that the DOE should Conduct a study to determine the feasibility
of transferring medical funds to a hospital in the Marshall Islands.
He alleges that because the DOE weapons played a part in radiological
contamination, DP cannot be objective in the management of the Marshall
islands program. (600) 03 Jan 1990
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION
Because of the results of a study of samples collected in summer 1989
to assess the plutonium background in the RMI areas, the BNL concludes
that the urine samples collected from 1981 to 1984 were contaminated
during field collections. (601) The
BNL submits the first 40 plutonium results from the urine samples taken
from people who had previously high plutonium results in the summer
of 1989. The data confirm the speculation that the urine samples collected
from 1981 to 1984 were contaminated during field collections. The new
fission track etch procedure has improved the quality assurance of the
process. The new data show that the people measured have no greater
than 100 attocuries of plutonium in their urine and will not receive
greater than 1 mrem/yr from plutonium. (602)
08 Jan 1990
CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
MEDICAL
RADIATION
In draft comments on S. 1802, the "Department of Energy Nuclear
Facilities Act of 1989," the DOE officials advise that "Title
V, Monitoring of Health and Radiological Conditions in the Northern
Marshall Islands," is unnecessary because these actions already
are being undertaken. (603)
09 Jan 1990
ADMINISTRATION
RADIATION
In response to Acting RMI President Kunio LeMari's request for a cleanup
of Runit Island, Chief of Mission Samuel Thomsen of the American Embassy
requests that the DOE and the DOI coordinate with the DNA to determine
the best means of completing decontamination of Runit. Citing the favorable
comment received by the DOE for its decision to reexamine the safety
of Rongelap, Thomsen comments that attention paid to Runit would have
similar political and humanitarian benefits. (604)
13 Jan 1990
MEDICAL
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION
The DOE informs a Marshall Islands government resident scientist that
the results of the plutonium analysis reinforce the-belief that plutonium
is not a health hazard at Rongelap. (605)
19-21 Jan 1990
ADMINISTRATION
CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
CONTRACTOR
A five person LANL team and William Jackson, the PASO program liaison
specialist, travel to Maloelap Atoll to make arrangements with the atoll
leadership for LANL to conduct a scientific experiment in August and
or September 1990. Jackson accompanies a House Appropriations Committee
staffer to Enewetak and Bikini to brief the residents of the DOE's activities
at both places. While at Enewetak Jackson relays the DOE's desire to
terminate its role at Enewetak by 30 September 1990. (606)
22 Jan 1990
ADMINISTRATION
RADIATION
RELOCATION
The DP replies to the testimony by Sen. Anjain at the 28 December
SPEERA meeting that medical radiation records are already available
to the Marshallese, although general policy is that they do not unevaluated
data; that the comprehensive and independent study of Rongelap Island
would be authorized if the independent study of the DOE's data by Kohn
concluded that the DOE data did not support the habitability of the
island; and that the organizational assignment to DP has no influence
on its technical content or scientific results. (607)
24 Jan 1990
ADMINISTRATION
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION
The Marshall Islands Nitijela (legislature) passes a resolution commending
DOE Secretary Watkins for his support of a second look at Rongelap issues
and urging him to implement a phase 2 study of Rongelap Island. (608)
In a draft response to the American Embassy in Majuro regarding cleanup
of Runit Island, DNA states that any attempt to start cleaning Runit
now would be premature. DNA is still testing mining methods as a means
for cleaning plutonium from the soil, and the scope of cleanup required
on Runit is more difficult and costly than that being done on Johnston
Atoll. If technology questions are resolved at Johnston Atoll, a Runit
cleanup is two to four years away. DNA recommends beginning long-range
planning and coordination for Runit cleanup and starting with the planning
meeting to identify a lead agency and assign critical tasks. (609)
2 Feb 1990
CONTRACTOR
RADIATION
In response to the desire of the Marshallese to perform their own
radiation measurements throughout the Marshall Islands, W. John Tipton,
assistant operations manager for aerial measurements operations of EG&G,
recommends that the islanders purchase three or four hand-held survey
meters for each atoll and that two or three people on each atoll be
trained in the operation of the instruments. He offers to furnish limited
use of EG&G's germanium in situ system resources, provided that EG&G
takes the measurements if quantitative data on other atolls is needed
to tie in with results of the 1978 survey. (610)
16 Feb 1990
ADMINISTRATION
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
The PASO issues the Operations Plan, Mission Number 90-2, FY 1990,
for a medical surveillance trip to be conducted by BNL at Ebeye, Majuro,
Utirik, and Mejato in March-April 1990. (611)
18 Mar 1990- 13 Apr 1990
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
During the spring medical mission to Ebeye, Majuro, Utirik, and Mejatto
the BNL team conducts 339 full medical examinations of the Marshallese.
The doctors examine nearly fifty referrals from the Marshall Islands
health care system and see problem cases at the Majuro hospital. The
pediatrician treats 160 children at islands sick calls. (612)
26-27 Mar 1990
CONTRACTOR
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION
Established by the BNL department of nuclear energy to obtain an external
scientific assessment of BNL's Marshall Islands radiation safety program,
an independent scientific review committee meets at BNL. The committee
reviews the two radioanalytical methods and the dosimetric models used
by BNL to estimate radiation dosages. The committee concludes that the
analytical data from urine collected in 1988-1989 are valid. The group
also advises that urine samples collected prior to 1988 should be discarded
because of flaws in the previous analytical method and protocols for
urine collection which did not protect against contamination. The committee
finds that whole-body counting procedures were within acceptable guidelines
of technical excellence and conformed to recognized standards. It recommends
further quality assurance procedures and guidance for intake and dose
estimates. (613)
27 Mar 1990
ADMINISTRATION
DOE Secretary Watkins directs the consolidation of medical surveillance,
epidemiology, and other health matters into the new office of health.
This order includes the Marshall Island Program. (614)
18 Apr 1990
ADMINISTRATION
CONTRACTOR
RADIATION
The PASO issues Operations Plan, Mission Number 90-4, for the standard
LLNL terrestrial investigations to be conducted at Bikini. (615)
Harry Brown notifies W. H. Adams and C.B. Meinhold at BNL; W.L
Robinson at LLNL; Joe Dryden at PASO, NV; and Roger Ray of potential
changes in the management of the Marshall Islands program. The Brown
notification follows charges by Rongelap leaders that DP cannot be objective
in the conduct of its work in the Marshall islands and recommendations
by SPEERA that DOE's management of the Marshall Islands program be reassigned
to the DOE deputy assistant secretary of health. Brown states that the
latter office may assume program control directly with BNL and LLNL
and that NV may have no program management function and may only provide
logistical support. He asks the addressees to assist program transition
to minimize disruption of work. (616)
30 Apr 1990
ADMINISTRATION
CONTRACTOR
Dr. Charles B. Meinhold of the BNL department of nuclear energy, radiological
sciences division, responds to David Weiman's questions concerning the
organization, management, and scientific approval processes at BNL Weiman
is a lobbyist for the Rongelapese. Meinhold remarks that in terms of
determining priorities for program study, "DOE determines the overall
need. Brookhaven determines the best way to proceed." He describes
the program approval and review processes for the bioassay program.
(617) May 1990
RADIATION
Bernd Franke of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research,
a Takoma Park, Maryland institute, "Why the Rongelap Reassessment
Project Did Not Fulfill Its Mission, Rongelap Versus Eniwek and Bikini:
Equal Treatment?"to the Rongelap Atoll local government. The report
alleges failures of the Kohn report and discusses the varying criteria
for the assessments of Bikini, Enewetak, and Rongelap. (618)
01 May 1990
RADIATION
WEAPONS TESTING
David Weiman meets with Joseph Karpinski, DOE principal deputy assistant
secretary for congressional and intergovernmental affairs; Gary Palmer,
special assistant to the under secretary, and Gary Knight, deputy assistant
secretary for House liaison, prior to Senator Anjain's testimony before
the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies
(Yates Committee). Weiman provides DOE Secretary Watkins's office with
Assistant Secretary Roser's 23 March 1982 memorandum and a 14 April
1982 memorandum from J. W. Thiessen to A. W. Trivelpiece regarding the
transfer of Marshall Islands programs from EP to DP. He raises three
sensitive new matters of concern: a DOE radiation double standard at
Rongelap; questionable applicability of traditional DOE dose standards
to the exposed people of Rongelap; and Safeguard "C"and the
subordination of health and safety programs. Weiman states that "Senator
Anjain and Rongelap believe there is a reasonable and easily attained
solution to the overall matter" and that Anjain and Weiman are
"Willing to work to work with the Secretary to resolve it".
(619) 02 May 1990
RADIATION
DOE Under Secretary John C. Tuck requests that the NAS undertake an
independent review of all data available regarding the radiological
status and habitability of Rongelap. This review should consider the
views the people of Rongelap, DOE, and those who conducted the initial
review pursuant to the COFA. He requests that members of the review
panel be selected in a manner that assures impartiality so that the
conclusions will be acceptable to the people of Rongelap. (620)
04 May 1990
ADMINISTRATION
MEDICAL
RADIATION
WEAPONS TESTING
Sen. John Glenn (D-Ohio), chairman of the Senate Committee on Governmental
Affairs, requests DOE Secretary Watkins to support an independent "Phase
II" assessment of the radiological contamination of Rongelap Atoll
and provide humanitarian assistance so that the Rongelap people may
resettle where they will have access to food and medical care. (621)
Sen. Aniain issues a statement to the Subcommittee on Interior
and Related Agencies on behalf of the Rongelap Atoll local government
and the Rongelap people. He states that the Rongelap reassessment project
created new questions rather than resolving them and demonstrated that
there is "a significant lack of knowledge concerning the environmental
and radiological conditions on Rongelap and the health and medical condition
of the Rongelapese. According to Anjain, sections of the COFA designed
to deal with the Rongelap situation are not working, and Dr. Kohn's
Rongelap reassessment project recommendations contradict provisions
of the COFA. Anjain charges that the U.S. uses a radiation double standard
in the application of radiation guidelines; that DOE and AEC have subordinated
all Marshall Islands medical and environmental programs to defense readiness
status for the resumption of weapons testing (Safeguard "C");
that the DOE is creating unnecessary barriers to medical records; and
that the DOE's definition of habitability is distorted and unreliable.
(622) 07 May 1990
CONTRACTOR
Harry Brown of NV reissues his invitation to David Weiman and the
Rongelap leadership to visit BNL and LLNL to see first-hand how the
scientific process works. He states that the people of Bikini and Enewetak
found this helpful in their decision-making process. (623)
11 May 1990
CONTRACTOR
WEAPONS TESTING
The Rongelap Atoll local government directs H&N to answer whether
they are or ever were under contract to the DOE for any aspect of Safeguard
"C". (624)
18 May 1990
RADIATION
Responding to Under Secretary Tuck's request for a review of the radiological
status and habitability of Rongelap, Frank Press, chairman of the NRC,
writes that the NRC will consider organizing such a study and will develop
and submit to the DOE a formal proposal for performance of the study.
(625)
20 May 1990
POLICY
The Rongelap Atoll local government council passes a resolution that
the DOE and its contractors, with the exception of the BNL Marshall
Islands medical program, are denied access until the DOE provides the
council with a full and complete accounting of the relationship to and
management of the DOE DP program "Safeguard "C,"which
requires the U.S. to maintain the ability to resume atmospheric nuclear
testing. (626)
08 Jun 1990
ADMINISTRATION
DOE Secretary Watkins notifies House Subcommittee Chairman de Lugo
that he is transferring the management of DOE's Rongelap activities
from DP to a new office of health under the assistant secretary for
environment, safety and health. (627)
J. H. Dryden, director of PASO, notifies Stella Guerra, DOI assistant
secretary for territorial and international affairs, that the DOE is
planning to initiate action to phase out the operations of the field
office at Enewetak. This program is funded on an interagency agreement
between the DOE and the DOI. (628) 02 Jul 1990
ADMINISTRATION
Stella Guerra of DOI notifies Harry Brown that she believes that Congress
will appropriate funding to continue the program at Enewetak. (629)
03 Aug 1990
ADMINISTRATION
The current DOE medical and environmental programs relating to the
Marshall Islands are shifted to EH by an amendment to the DOD authorization
bill. The amendment focuses on management consolidation and is meant
to insure continuity of Marshall Islands program activities in the overall
reorganization of health and safety matters at DOE. Activities formerly
conducted through DP will be conducted through EH. (630)
06 Aug 1990
ADMINISTRATION
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
The PASO issues Operation Plan, Mission Number 90-5, BNL's annual
follow-up mission for medical examinations on Mejato, Utirik, Majuro
and Ebeye. (631) 27 Aug 1990
CONTRACTOR
MEDICAL
PLUTONIUM
The University of Utah analyzes 29 samples of Marshallese urine furnished
by BNL and finds two samples which show definite evidence of plutonium
239. (632)
6-28 Sep 1990
ADMINISTRATION
AGREEMENT
MEDICAL
During the BNL fall medical mission, William D. Jackson, the DOE field
representative on the trip, reaches agreement with the administration
of the 177 Heath Plan on a renewal of the existing Memorandum of Understanding.
He reports that BNL and 177 Health Plan professionals established productive
lines of communication during the trip and agreed upon techniques and
means for coordination and sharing information. (633)
10 Sep 1990
ADMINISTRATION
Joseph H. Dryden of PASO notifies Brown that, due to lack of funding,
he is closing down the field station at Enewetak until PASO receives
FY 1991 funding. (634) 05 Oct 1990
AGREEMENT
RELOCATION
The DOI and the Kili/Bikini/Ejit local government sign a memorandum
of agreement regarding the rehabilitation and resettlement of Bikini
Atoll, including public land use payments and other budgetary matters.
(635) 25 Oct 1990
ADMINISTRATION
Stella Guerra of DOI reacts to statements by House and Senate appropriations
subcommittees that Congress expects the DOI and the DOE and its contractor
to continue to work together to establish a plan to turn over the Enewetak
food and agricultural maintenance program to the local government at
the earliest possible time. She recommends that the DOI and the DOE
and its contractor meet at PASO's Honolulu office to coordinate the
development of plans to carry out this work. In the meantime, she suggests
operating the program under the existing DOE/DOI agreement under the
level of funding in the continuing resolution. (636)
26 Oct 1990
Harry Brown writes to Oscar de Brum of the RMI, to provide consolidated
recommendations as to how the RMI might treat the soil of islands to
mitigate the uptake of cesium 137 into food crops. The DOE suggests
initial application of 1200 pounds per acre of potassium chloride. Islands
that might be considered for this treatment are: Eneu; Bikini; the six
planted northern islands at Enewetak; Enjebi, if replanted and resettled;
Rongelap, and Arbor. (637) 06 Nov 1990
ADMINISTRATION
AGREEMENT
The DOI approves the extension of the agreement dealing with the operation
of the Enewetak food and agricultural maintenance program until the
DOI can determine if it should revise the agreement. The DOI authorizes
funding for DOE through 31 December. (638)
PUBLIC LAW 99-239 Joint Resolution to approve the "Compact of
Free Association,"and for other purposes. January 14, 1986 COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION SECTION 177 A. The U.S. government accepts responsibility for compensation owing
to citizens of the Marshall Islands or the Federated States of Micronesia
for loss or damage to the property and person of the citizens of the
Marshall Islands or the Federated States of Micronesia resulting from
the nuclear testing program, June 30,1946 - August 18, 1958. B. In a separate agreement the governments of the Marshall Islands
and the U.S. will set forth provisions for settlement of all claims;
for the continued administration by the U.S. government of direct radiation
related medical surveillance and treatment programs and radiological
monitoring activities and for additionally agreed upon programs and
activities; and for the assumption by the government of the Marshall
Islands of responsibility for enforcement of limitations, developed
in cooperation with the U.S. government on the utilization of affected
areas With mutually agreed upon assistance by the U.S. government. C. The U.S. government shall provide the government of the Marshall
Islands a grant of $150 million to be paid and distribute according
to the separate agreement. Agreement Between the Government of the United States and the
Government of the Marshall Islands for the Implementation of Section
177 of the Compact of Free Association Sections of Particular
Interest to the DOE ARTICLE II - DISTRIBUTION OF ANNUAL PROCEEDS Section 1 - Health, Food, Agricultural Maintenance and Radiological
Surveillance
a. $30 million is distributed to the RMI in amounts of $2 million
for 15 years. The RMI is to use these funds to receive technical assistance,
on a reimbursable basis from agencies of the U.S. government. The U.S.
shall provide technical assistance including contractor services to
assist the RMI to include health-care programs and services related
to the consequences of nuclear testing in its health care system. *The full texts of these documents are in Document nos. D105 and D113.
Technical assistance shall include, at RMI request, a whole body counter,
to be located in a facility supplied by the RMI, and the training of
its operator. Technical assistance may include professional personnel
services and dosimetry and bioassay services. d. At RMI request, the U.S. is to provide technical assistance, programs
and services, on a reimbursable basis, to continue the planting and
agricultural maintenance program on Enewetak and to continue the food
programs of the Bikini people and the Enewetak people for as long as
is required. e. $3 million to the RMI to conduct medical surveillance and radiological
monitoring activities, are to be disbursed in average amounts of $1
million for a three-year period commencing when the agreement goes into
effect. The results of the medical surveillance and radiological monitoring
are to be filed with the Claims Tribunal. Section 2 - The People of Bikini $75 Million to the Bikini Distribution Authority in payment of claims
arising out of the nuclear testing program for loss or damage to property
and person of the people of Bikini, are to be disbursed in quarterly
amounts of $1.25 million for the fifteen-year period commencing one
quarter year after the agreement goes into effect. Section 3 - People of Enewetak $48.75 million to the Enewetak Distribution Authority in payment of
claims are out of the nuclear testing program for loss or damage to
property or person of the people of Enewetak, are to be disbursed in
quarterly amounts of $812,500 for the period commencing one calendar
quarter after the agreement goes into effect. Section 4 - People of Rongelap $37.5 million to the Rongelap Distribution Authority in payment of
claims arising out of the nuclear testing program for loss or damage
to property and person of the people of Rongelap, are to be disbursed
in quarterly amounts of $625,000 for the fifteen-year period commencing
one calendar quarter after the agreement goes into effect. Section 5 - People of Utirik $22.5 million to the Utrik [sic] Distribution Authority in payment
for claims arising out of the nuclear testing program for loss or damage
to property and person of the people of Utirik, are to be disbursed
in quarterly amounts of $375,000 for the fifteen-year period commencing
one calendar quarter after the agreement goes into effect. Section 8 - Bikini, Enewetak, Rongelap and Utirik Trusts The people of Bikini, Enewetak, Rongelap and Utirik shall establish
trusts with all or a portion of the annual proceeds from this Agreement
in order to provide additional long-term means to address consequences
of the nuclear testing program.
ARTICLE VI - RESETTLEMENT OF BIKINI ATOLL AND CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY
IN RESPECT TO BIKINI Section 1 - Resettlement The U.S. reaffirms its commitment to provide funds for the resettlement
of Bikini Atoll by the people of Bikini at a time which cannot now be
determined. ARTICLE VII - UTILIZATION OF LANDS
The U.S. is relieved of responsibility for, and the RMI shall have
responsibility for, controlling the utilization of areas in the Marshall
Islands affected by the nuclear testing program. ARTICLE VIII - NORTHERN MARSHALL ISLANDS RADIOLOGICAL SURVEY The U.S. has concluded that the northern Marshall Islands radiological
survey and related environmental studies represent the best effort accurately
to evaluate and describe conditions on the Marshall Islands. This survey
and related environmental studies have been made available to the RMI
and can be used to evaluate the food chain and environment and to estimate
radiation-related health consequences of residing in the northern Marshall
Islands. ARTICLE IX - CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES If loss or damage to property and person resulting from the nuclear
testing program are discovered subsequent to this agreement's becoming
effective, which make its provisions manifestly inadequate, and such
could not reasonably have been identified before its becoming effective,
the RMI may submit to Congress a request for the U.S. to provide for
such injuries. Congress is not committed to authorize and appropriate
the funds. ARTICLE X - ESPOUSAL Section 1 - Full Settlement of Claims This Agreement constitutes the full settlement of all claims, past,
present and future, of the government, citizens, and nationals of the
Marshall Islands relating to the nuclear testing program against the
U.S., its agents, employees, contractors, citizens, and nationals. Section 2 - Termination of Legal Proceedings The RMI shall terminate any legal proceedings in the courts of the
Marshall Islands against the U.S., its agents, employees, contractors
and "citizens and nationals"involving claims arising out of
the nuclear testing program. ARTICLE XI - INDEMNITY Subject to Article IX the RMI shall indemnify and hold harmless the
U.S., its agents, employees, contractors, "citizens and nationals,"from
all claims set forth in Article X, and all future actions on behalf
of the RMI in any court arising out of the nuclear testing program.
The indemnification shall not exceed $150 million. ACBM (AEC) Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine
AEC Atomic Energy Commission
AES (DOE) Assistant Administrator for Environment and Safety
AFL University of Washington Applied Fisheries Laboratory
AFSWP Armed Forces Special Weapons Project
AGMMA Assistant General Manager for Military Application
AMO Assistant Manager for Operations
ANL Argonne National Laboratory
BARC Bikini Atoll Rehabilitation Committee
BNL Brookhaven National Laboratory
CINCPACFLT Commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet
COFA Compact of Free Association
D Democrat
DAF Department of the Air Force
DASA Defense Atomic Support Agency
DBER (AEC) Division of Biology and Environmental Research
DBM (AEC) Division of Biology and Medicine
DMA (AEC) Division of Military Application
DNA Defense Nuclear Agency
DOD Department of Defense
DOE Department of Energy
DOES (DOE) Division of Operational and Environmental Safety
DOI Department of the Interior
DOS (AEC) Division of Operational Safety
DP (DOE) Defense Programs
DRS (AEC) Division of Radiological Safety
DWMT (AEC) Division of Waste Management and Transportation
E.O. Executive Order
EG&G Edgerton, Germeshausen, and Grier, Inc.
EH (DOE) Office of Health Physics
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
ERDA Energy Research and Development Administration
ERSP (DOE) Enewetak Radiological Support Project
FPDB Fission Product Data Base
FRC Federal Radiation Council
FY Fiscal Year
GAO General Accounting Office
GPO Government Printing Office
H. Con. Res. House Concurrent Resolution
H. J. Res. House Joint Resolution
H&N Holmes and Narver Construction Company
HASL (AEC) Health and Safety Laboratory
HPE (DOE) Health Physics and Environmental Division
ICRP International Commission on Radiological Protection
ISA (AEC) International Security Affairs
JCAE Joint Committee on Atomic Energy
JTF-7 Joint Task Force Seven
LANL Los Alamos National Laboratory
LASL Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory
LFMER Lovelace Foundation for Medical Education and Research
LLL Lawrence Livermore Laboratory
LLNL Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
LRB Laboratory of Radiation Biology
LRE Laboratory of Radiation Ecology
LST (DOE) Litigation Support Team
MAC Military Air Command
MH&S (AEC) Medicine, Health and Safety
MIDG Marshall Islands Dosirnetry Group
MIDRG Marshall Islands Dosimetry Review Group
MIPG Marshall islands Planning Group
MLSC Micronesian Legal Services Corporation
MPPIL Mid-Pacific Research Laboratory
mr milliroentgens
mrem millirem
NARA National Archives and Records Administration
NAS National Academy of Sciences
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NIH National Institutes of Health
NTIS National Technical Information Service
NMRI Naval Medical Research Institute
NRDL Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory
NRC National Research Council
NSC National Security Council
NV (AEC) Nevada Operations Office
NYOO (AEC) New York Operations Office
OGM (AEC) Office of the General Manager
OMB Office of Management and Budget
ORNL Oak Pidge National Laboratory P.L. Public Law PACE Pacific Cratering Experiment
PAG Protective Action Guide
PASO (DOE) Pacific Area Support Office
PE (DOE) Office of Policy, Plans, and Analysis
PNL Pacific Northwest Laboratories
PPG Pacific Proving Ground
R Republican
R, r This abbreviation is copied as it appears in the original documents
and may be rem, rad, or roentgen
RARG Radiological Assessment Review Group
REECO Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Company
RMI Republic of the Marshall Islands
SAIS School of Advanced International Studies
S. Con. Res. Senate Concurrent Resolution
SECY (AEC) Secretariat Staff Paper
SFOO (AEC) Santa Fe Operations Office
SIO Scripps Institute of Oceanography
SPEERA Secretarial Panel for the Evaluation of Epidemiologic Research
Activities
SSC Safety, Standards, and Compliance
T.T. Trust Territory
TTG Transuranium Technical Group
U of W University of Washington
USGS U.S. Geological Survey
USPHS United States Public Health Service
WERL Western Environmental Research Laboratory
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