ROBD DEWALL P. O. BOX ,1341 

RAPID CITY. S. OAK. 57701 

Mr. Jack Allmon Director 

South Dakota Department of Highways Pierre, South Dakota 57501 

Since the June 9th Rapid City area flood disaster, I have been working on a paper dealing wlith broadcasting's role in the rescue and recovery operations, and it is in this regard that I am writing. I plan to submit the paper as a Haster's Degree thesis for the Universi ty of Iowa graduate journalism program, where I previously have earned my classroom credits, and I would very much appreciate some of your thoughts on this subject for use in my thesis. 

That thesis will focus largely on the period of the immediate emergency that period beginning about 6 p.m. the evening of June 9th and 

continuing through the following week. It will chronicle the early broadcast warnings, the first formal news reports. and the civil defense broadcasts, and the, special reports and panel discussions aired during the first week (and after). 

As you were on the scene at the height of the crisis you may have some insights as to the impact of this broadcasting on the cornmunity. What I particularly seek from you, however is the negative aspect of the impact of the national (broadcast) publicity on the summer's tourism picuture. 

That, ov course, was an important part of the flood disaster, but it is one which probably will not be commented on by the several other sources I 

have written requesting comments on the role of broadcasting in the disaster. 

Any comments on this general topic you might have time to send along would be appreciated. 

Best Regards, 

Robb DeWall