Evening star., 1938-12-01

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purchases in the Prince Georges
County section of the valley. A total
Of $500 900 has been made available
by Congress for this purpose.
Removing Bladensburg Hazard.
On the land purchases and the
results Of the Army survey will de-
pend the institution of actual flood
control work to abate or end the
flood menace at Bladensburg, where
United States highway No. fire.
Quently is under water.
Although every effort is being
made to speed up the Anacostia
survey, there have been unavoid-
able delays due to the necessity OF
co-ordinating the Army's work with
plans of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, the
Maryland Park and Planning Com
mission and officials of Prince
Georges County and smaller polit-
ical subdivisions in the valley, 1t was
explained For this reason Col.
Thomas was unable to give even an
approximate date for completion of
the survey. It is possible, however,
at least preliminary report may be
ready in the spring. The main re-
port on the Potomac River survey
may not be completed for 10 months
or q years. 1t is expected to pro-
vide the key for all future flood
control work throughout the valley
and is regarded as one OF the most
important projects of its kind yet
undertaken.
The survey. both in the Potomac
and Anacostia Valleys, is being car
ried on with q view to recommended
ton of definite flood control projects
in detail, such as levees or channel
dredging operations. Estimates OF
cost are to be included for all such
recommended projects.
Pollution Control Projects
The surveys also are expected to
have an important bearing on fu-
ture pollution control projects
throughout the Potomac basin. In
the Anacostia Valley an outlay Of
$65, ZOO for pollution control work
already has been authorized by the
Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission. This work, when COM
pleted, is expected to remove more
than half of the present sewage
from the tributaries Of the Ana
costa and cause it to be discharged
into the stream at q point below
Bladensburg, nearer the point Of
final disposal, materially improving
conditions in several communities
upstream.
Application for P. w. A. grant
to help finance a $528, ,66l program
for complete elimination of pollu-
ton of the Anacostia and its tribu-
taries was made last September by
the Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission. The P. w. A., in Octo-
ber, granted nearly SIS, 500, 900 for 13
anti-pollution projects in the local
area, all within the scope Of the
Army survey.
Baltimore Parkway.
Completion of the survey and the
present land purchase program is
expected to clear the way in the
lower Anacostia Valley for develop
ment of the Washington approach
Of the projected Baltimore park
way. This parkway was designated
as a project of primary Importance
in the Washington Baltimore-An-
napons area in a tri-city planning
report issued last spring. The prof.
ect would provide a park highway
similar In design to the Mount Ver-
non Memorial highway, free from
grade crossings and commercial or
industrial encroachments.
The Anacostia Valley parkway al
so will be Of importance as an ac-
cess route in event of the develop
ment of the proposed quick -trafic"
highway from New York to the
South. The proposed Potomac River
bridge in the vicinity of Ludlows
Ferry, authorized by Congress and
Maryland, is a part of this project.
The Anacostia project also will
be of great importance in connec-
ton with development of the pro-
posed short cut" highway between
washington and Baltimore on the
roadbed of the defunct Washington,
Baltimore & Annapolis Railway.
Negotiations for the last unit Of the
right Of way, an Smile stretch
from Odenton south to Bowie, still
are in progress.