Evening star., 1949-02-19
Legislation Prepared
For BIadensburg Area
Flood Control Project
By John v. Horner

Dy JOHN v. 1OInSF
Legislation is being prepared
for the Maryland General AS
sembly paving the way for flood
control projects in the Bladens-
burg area If and when Congress
approves overall plans.
The program, estimated to cost
approximately $8,OOO,0OO. would be
undertaken jointly by the Federal
Government. the State of Mary
lannd. Prince Georges County, the
Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission and the Maryland
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission.
It involves widening and
Strengthening the Anacostia River
and the establishment of an g.
foot channel from the District to
Bladensburg; a series Of levies on
both sides of the Eastern Branch,
highway and bridge changes, con-
struction of pumping stations and
drainage systems.
Program Endorsed.
The program is based on recon-
mendations of the Army Corps Of
Engineers contained in report
issued more than two years ago.
It has been Endorsed by various
officials and agencies of the Fed
efal, State and District govern
mentS.
Its purpose will be to eliminate
steadily worsening flood condi-
tions which have been recorded in
the Bladensburg area since Co.
lonial days.
y Advocates of the legislation be-
lieve its passage may influence
Congress to act on the prelim-
mary plans and thus hasten real
ization Of the improvements.
The bills would authorize State
agencies and governing bodies to
issue bonds covering their share
of the costs, when the Federal
Government is ready to proceed
with the program.
Members of the Prince Georges
County delegation to Annapolis
said the legislation will be intro
duced as soon as agreement can
be reached on fair apportionment
of costs of the work. Marylanders
take the position that the i'm
provements are so vital to the
District that the Federal Govern
ment should carry the burden.
Some State officials hold that
the Federal share of the total cost
should be $4,531 200, and the nom
Federal share $3,396,100.
Harry Shaw, deputy chief engi-
neer of the Suburban Sanitary
Commission, said this estimate is
figured from the logical" assign
ment of specific projects to the
various agencies. He said i'm
provements to State roads, for in
stance. are considered part of the
States fair share, drainage work
a part of the Sanitary Commits
sion's share. etc.
Not all of the costs would re-
quire new cash outlays, however.
The Park and Planning Commits
sion's share. for example, IS fig-
ured at 1894, 900 and this includes
some land already owned by that
agency.
The Sanitary Commission like
wise owns some land which is in
cluded in it's estimated share of
$406,330. The bulk of this agen-
cy's work in the flood control
program would be drainage sys-
TENS.
Country road and bridge i'm
provements are figured at $344.560
and Prince Georges may also build
navigation structures such as
wharves and boat basins which
would cost $1,272,150. Mr.. Shaw
said, however, that this work
probably would be undertaken IN
stages.
Highway Changes.
State road and bridge construc-
ton costs are estimated at ap-
proximately $1,000,000.
Major highway changes would
include relocation and reconstruc-
ton of sections of Routes l and
so in the Bladensburg vicinity.
Levies are proposed on the west
side of the Anacostia River from
Colmar Manor to Brentwood and
from the southern limits of Hy-
attsville to Riverdale. On the
eastern side a levy is planned
from the sewage treatment plant,
around Bladensburg to Edmons-
ton.
Pumping stations would be
needed at Colmar Manor. Brent
wood, Bladensburg and Edmons-
ton if the program is carried out
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