Evening star., 1935-07-07
j. s. DEMANDS AID
IN FLOOD CONTROL
Start of BIadensburg Prof.
ect Depends on Local
Cooperation.
BY GEORGE PORTER.

BLADENSBURG Md. July 6.-The
fate OF Bladensburg's long sought flood
control project today rested In the
hands of Maryland authorities.
Federal officials have informed State
leaders that a local agency must as
sumo responsibility for several phases
of the work, including maintenance
after 1t Is completed.
With that in mind. John s. White,
chairman OF the Flood Control Com
mittee OF the Prince Georges County
Federation OF Citizens Associations,
expects to call on the State Roads
Commission. the county commission
ers and the Maryland National Capt.
tai Park and Planning Commission
during the coming week.
Project Favored.
He will attempt to learn which Of
them is willing and has the legal au-
thority to cooperate along the lines
required by the National Government.
This cooperation not only calls for q
maintenance guarantee. but also the
procurement Of all necessary rights OF
way and protection Of the Federal
Government from damage suits.
Officials OF the United States Army
Engineers ONCE, in advising White
Of these requirements, indicated they
looked upon the flood control project
with favor. After q conference with
them. White conceded that the under
taking could not be classified entirely
as a Federal project because it was
on a nsvigable stream. inasmuch as
its objective is to control foods rather
than improve navigation.
Some years ago the Army Engineers
made a survey here and evolved two
plans for flood control. One of them,
designated plan B, had the indorse-
ment Of the Citizens Federation
when, through White, they filed their
application for 100000 for flood con-
troll with the National Emergency
Council last month. The application
has been referred to the Engineers
ONCE, which will make a resurvey
before beginning work. according to
White.
Would Combine Plans.
In view of the limitations surround
ing expenditure Of Federal funds on
the project and the needed cooper
alton of Maryland authorities. White
said the citizens would seek to have
the floods controlled through combi-
nation of plan B with plan A.
The consolidated plan would elimi-
nate projected work in Edmonston and
East HyattSville. where 1t would be
necessary TO secure rights of way
from private property owners. II
would start the flood control work al
the intersection of the Northwest anc
Northeast Branches back OF the Bla
densburg jail and involve dredging anc
levee construction from there to the
Anacostia River, inside the District OF
Columbia.
Maintenance work. which some
State or county agency would be called
upon to handle. would involve very
little money. White believes. 1t would
consist. he says, chiefly of inspection
OF the leyees TO see that they are kept
in perfect condition, and painting OF
food gates.
Whites Flood Control COMMITTEES
will meet Tuesday night to consider
how the Citizens Federation can help
push the project. 1t has been Sug-
gested the citizens use their influence
to persuade property owners to CO.
operate In the food control work,
through donation of necessary rights
of way or otherwise, in the interest OF
the development Of their community.