Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-01-08
Basin Unit Plans
River Play Area
ToGreat Falls
Commission Seeks
Public Health Survey
From Key Bridge
BY jones birchfieId

Winding up its winter meeting
here, the Interstate Commission on
the Potomac River Basin was on
record today as calling for the de-
velopment of the river to Great Falls
as a "recreational area that will do
justice to the Nations Capital"
Voting to request the Public
Health Service to make a survey of
the river from Key Bridge to the
falls, the commission yesterday de-
clared this area has recreational
possibilities far exceeding any other
section adjacent to the District.
1t was reported that the water
from the bridge to the falls now Is
relatively free of pollution, but the
commission urged that all polluting
sources be eliminated. 1t would thus
become one of the few natural SWIM
ming areas near the Capital, it was
said.
Other Work Approved.
The commission also went on rec
ord approving further work toward
cleaning up the other sections of
Potomac in the Washington area.
1t has been stated by Harold A.
Kemp. District sanitary engineer,
that this will require about 10 years
and an expenditure of approximate
ly $6,000,0 900 by the District alone.
Discussing problems faced by
small communities in obtaining
treatment facilities, City Manager
I. G. Vass of Waynesboro, Va, a
member of the Local Governments
Committee, said many municipali-
ties were holding back on plans
until they find what funds may be
available under the new Federal
antipollution law.
This law provides grants for
planning and loans for the con-
struction of treatment facilities.
Communities may borrow up to
cne-third of the cost of projects.
The commission will debate today
whether it, as an interstate organi-
zation, should seek planning funds
under the new law. 1t was sug-
gested by Maryland State Senator
L. Harold Eothoron that the Coun-
Gil of State Governments might be
asked to seek an expression from
Congress on this point.
Doubts Agreement.
Meanwhile, as the commission en-
tered its final sessions, industrial
representatives still wrestled with
the problem of setting standards for
waste materials any industry in
the basin would be allowed to dis
charge into the stream.
Commission Director Edwin R.
Cotton said it was doubtful if any
agreement on this problem would
be reached before the commissions
spring meeting in April at Bedford
Springs, Pa.
The commission also will continue
to work today on a system Of pri-
critics to be set up in the basin
under which member States could
direct funds provided by the new
Federal anti-pollution law for plan
ming and treatment facilities.
Fund Prospect Better.
1t was said yesterday that the
commission is entering the new
year with better financial prospects
than ever before. Member States,
it was reported, have agreed to
provide additional funds for the
commission in their new budgets
and it is anticipated that. the Fed
eral Government would raise its
share toward the agency's activi-
ties. Last year was the first time
the Federal Government, a mem
Der of the commission, has con-
tributed toward its operation.
Plans also have been completed
for a one-day meeting. in connec-
ton with the commissions April
session of Federal and State agri-
culture agencies to discuss the re-
lationship of soil erosion to river
pollution.