Washington, D.C. - Washington, DC: Congressman Nathan Deal (R-GA) and the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) will host Assistant Secretary For Civil Works, of the United States Army, Mike Parker, Governor Roy Barnes, and Colonel Keyser, Mobile District of the Corps of Engineers this Friday, March 1, 2002 and focus directly on Lake Lanier, specifically the economic impact Lake Lanier has on Hall County. "I am certain the activities we have scheduled for March 1, 2002 will be beneficial for Gainesville- Hall County as well as demonstrate the economic importance of Lake Sidney Lanier to Assistant Secretary Parker and Governor Barnes." Deal stated

Congressman Deal and the GHCC will be holding a Town Hall meeting at 2:00 pm in the Continuing Education Building of Gainesville College. THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND. Assistant Secretary Mike Parker will be joined by several staff of the Washington level Corps of Engineers, and Colonel Keyser of the Mobile District and Erwin Topper, Resource Manager of Lake Lanier. In addition, Governor Roy Barnes; Harold Rehisis, Director of Georgia's Environmental Protection Division (EPD); Bob Kerr, Chief Negotiator for the State of Georgia in the Tri - State water negations (EPD); and several local officials and leaders of the Gainesville- Hall County area. "As you can conclude this group represents all levels of government and is responsible for every decision that impacts and will impact Lake Lanier for the next thirty years. I wanted the public to have the opportunity to speak directly with the Assistant Secretary and the Governor regarding Lake Lanier. I am honored by their attendance and participation and especially thankful for the GHCC for joining me in hosting this distinguished group." Deal concluded

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