Evening star., 1949-01-09
PotomacPo
Urged 10 Decide on
Asking New u. 5. Aid
By Jones BirchfieId

TSNsH wv" ~ 'N
By jones BirchfieId
The Interstate Commission on
the Potomac River Basin was asked
yesterday to decide within 80 days
whether to request revisions of a
Federal law to provide additional
funds for local pollution abatement.
In resolution presented at a
commission closing session at the
Mayt1oWer Hotel, Maryland State
Senator L. Harold Sothoron, asked
members to decide whether to make
the request to the Council of State
Governments. The proposed revi-
sions to the Federal pollution law
would increase grants-in-aid so as
to encourage local governments and
industries to engage in progressive
programs of pollution Abatement
Senator Sothoron pointed out that
it has been the past policy of the
Government to encourage through
grants and other Federal projects
the conservation of the Nation s
water resources. He suggested, that
if the resolution passes, it be sent
to all members of Congress by the
various State commission members
Grants Possible For Third of Cost.
Under provisions of the law, pass
ed by the Both Congress, loca! gov.
ernment States and interstate
agencies may apply for grants up te
one third of the cost of planning
abatement projects. They may
apply for loans up to one third OF
the cost Of such projects. Funds set
up under the law include $1,000 ,OOC
for grants, and $22 100000 for loans
Many observers say that the funds
are too small to scratch the surface
of the national need for treatment
facilities. Present funds will help
mostly the smaller municipalities
where efforts to raise sufficient funds
for treatment plants would be a
hardship
The commission. however, failed
20 take a stand on whether it, as
an interstate organization. should
apply for planning funds under the
Federal law.
The commissions Land Committee
recommended that steps be taken to
have gauglng stations placed in the
various basin streams to measure
the silt in the Potomac.
Geological Survey Could Help.
1t was noted that the National
Geological Survey is equipped to CO.
operate SWith states in measuring
silt loads and some ARRANGEMENT
may be worked out with that
agency.
BY knowing what the actual silta-
ton is, the Land Committee could
better point its activities to a cor
lective program upstream.
The committee also strongly ad-
vised that the Monocacy River Basin
be used as demonstration area in
the commissions program to co-or-
dinate the various phases of pollu-
tlon control with programs on the
land.
Joseph E. Kaylor, Maryland Di-
rector of Forests and Parks, eX-
planned that much already has been
done in the Monocacy Valley. He
said the Monocacy offers an oppor-
tunity to combine all phases of anti
pollution and land use since it in
cluded industries, cities and farm
land
The Monocacy would have the
added advantage of providing a
working program within easy reach
OF the Nations Capital.
Agreement Reached.
High lighting yesterdays meet
ing was an announcement by repre-
sentatives of West Virginia anc
Maryland pollution control agencies
that agreement had been reached or
water quality standards for the
upper river, common to the two
states.
Making the announcement fol
Maryland. Paul w. Mckee, execu-
tive secretary of the State Water
Pollution Control Commission, sale
the agreement now makes it possible
TOR the two states to work toWarc
the same goals in the upper basin
Water quality standards serve a.
guide Of the purity expected to bt
reached in various parts of tn:
stream and range from water suit
able for drinking to that which il
barely maintained above the nui
sance level.
The agreement was hailed b,
Commission Chairman Raymond v
Long of Virginia, as a fine exampl
of interstate cooperation which tn
commission hopes to achieve be
tween all member states.
At its April meeting at Bedfor,
Springs. Pa, the commission vii
consider new form of pollution
arising from boats in the Potomac
William H. Cary, jr., director o
the District Health Department
bureau Of health engineering, ex
planned that while pollution from
boats does not contribute grea
amount to the river, it neverthe
less should be considered by th'
commission. He explained this typ'
of pollution Is most noticeable II
pleasure resort areas.