Planning for a possible shutdown


In Reply Refer To:
Mail Stop 441


                           MEMORANDUM


                                           December 15, 1995


To:        All Water Resources Division Employees

From:      Robert M. Hirsch (signed)
           Chief Hydrologist

Subject:   Planning for a Possible Shutdown

As of about 2 p.m., EST, today, the Interior Appropriations Bill has been
passed by the House and the Senate, and is being prepared to be sent to the
President.  Unofficially, we understand that the President will veto the
bill.

We have been told that the Congress is considering two Continuing
Resolutions (CR)--one that would carry us through Tuesday, December 19,
1995, and another that would carry us through Friday, December 22, 1995.
There is no additional information as to the prospects for passing either
CR.

There is no new guidance from the Department regarding how we should
proceed on Monday, December 18.  As of now, all employees should plan to
report to work to await further instructions.

On a positive note, we have been assured that the payroll will be processed
next week, and all employees should expect to be paid as usual.

We will do our best to provide updated information as soon as possible, but
please keep in touch with the news media over the weekend.


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Robert M. Hirsch                Phone:  703/648-5215
Chief Hydrologist               Fax:    703/648-5002
409 National Center             Internet:  rhirsch@usgs.gov
U.S. Geological Survey
Reston, VA  22092
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