(AP) — Nebraska Public Power District is helping keep open some Sutherland Reservoir areas that had been closed to the public.

Kirk Nelson, west regional manager of the parks division for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, said the state recreation area is operating as normal.

The recreation area was among about 30 across Nebraska that closed Sept. 16 as part of a plan by Nebraska Game and Parks to reduce more than $30 million worth of backlogged maintenance.

Under the closure, no camping or entrance to buildings was allowed at the Sutherland Reservoir.

NPPD spokesman Mark Becker says the utility owns the reservoir, “and we felt that it should remain open to the public.”