PUBLIC MEETING ON OPERATIONS OF HARLAN COUNTY LAKE 
          JOHNSON COMMUNITY BUILDING AT ALMA, NEBRASKA
                         APRIL 12, 2000

An open session and public meeting will be held to allow review and comment on an operating
agreement reached between the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the Corps of Engineers
(Corps) regarding the operation of Harlan County Lake.  The agreement and its subsequent effect
on Harlan County Lake are more completely described in a technical report developed by the
Corps.  The report can be viewed at the Republican River Irrigation District offices, several local
libraries, or on the Internet at "www.nwk.usace.army.mil/haco/harlan_home.htm" under Draft
Environmental Impact Statement.

As a result of contract negotiations, Reclamation is also proposing lower minimum pool elevations
at other federal reservoirs in the Republican River Basin.  These actions are within the range of
effects described in Reclamation's draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and, therefore, do
not require a supplement be issued to the document.  These lowered minimum pools, along with
the Corps' technical report, will be incorporated into Reclamation's preferred alternative in the final
EIS document.  To allow public input on these issues, Reclamation has reopened the comment
period on their draft EIS for renewal of long-term water supply contracts in the Republican River
Basin.  Comments will now be accepted until April 22, 2000.  The draft EIS, its summary document,
and the Corps technical report are available on Reclamation's Internet site at "www.gp.usbr.gov." 
Click on Current Activities and then Environmental Affairs.

On April 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., representatives from Reclamation and the Corps will be at
the Johnson Community Building in Alma, Nebraska.  They will be available to discuss the
negotiated preferred alternative, the Corps technical report, and to accept public comment.  

At 7:00 p.m., Reclamation and the Co
rps will give a brief history of the operating plan resolution and
a presentation on the technical report.  Following that, public comments and questions will be
accepted on the negotiated preferred alternative and technical report.

Written comments on the preferred alternative and technical report will be accepted until April 22,
2000. They should be submitted to Area Manager, (Attention: Judy O'Sullivan), Bureau of
Reclamation, Nebraska-Kansas Area Office, Post Office Box 1607, Grand Island NE 68802 or
District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District, 700 Federal Building, 601
East Twelfth Street, Kansas City MO 64106.