Evening star., 1950-01-14
StateFinancinu
AuthorityAsked
On Pollution
Sothoron to File
Bill in Maryland
On River Control

On klver Control
AS a result of a recommends
tion by the Interstate Commits
sion on the Potomac River Basin.
the Maryland Legislature will be
asked to set up a State financing
authority to speed the construc-
ton of pollution control facilities.
At the final meeting of the
commission yesterday in the Hotel
washington, Maryland State Sem
ator L. Harold Sothoron of Prince
Georges County, said he will in
troduce bill to create the financ-
ing authority when the Legislature
meets this year. if time permits
at this session.
If 1t is not introduced this year,
he said, it will be introduced at
the 1851 session.
Patterned After New York.
The authority would be pat
termed losely after the New York
Port Authority and would be au-
thorlzed to issue bonds for mu-
nlcipal sewage treatment plants
and waterworks. These. bonds
would be paid off through service
charges.
1t has been estimated that one
financing authority operating for
the State would allow a saving of
from to 1l2 per cent in interest
rates. 1t also would enable small
communities that might otherwise
be unable to raise funds to con-
struct treatment facilities.
The idea of a basin wide f1nanc-
ing authority was first presented
to the commissions local govern
ments committee by M. x. Will
berding. Washington consulting
engineer and a representative on
the committee of the Washington
Board of Trade.
The commissions executive ap-
proved the idea but suggested
that each State might form it's
own authority to finance projects
on Statewide, rather than a
basin-wide, basis. Commission
members are Virginia, Maryland,
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, the
District and the Federal Govern
ment.
Two Surveys Planned.
The commission also took steps
yesterday to have two surveys
made of the river.
Since little is known about the
quality of the water in the tide
water area, the commission voted
to obtain a survey by the Public
Health Service of the Potomac
from Washington to the Chesa-
peake Bay.
1t was pointed out such a survey
would enable Maryland and Vir-
ginia to take the necessary steps
to correct any pollution that may
exist.
Another project would be an
economic survey by Public Health
OF the Upper Potomac, to be con-
Quoted in relation with a study
about to be made of industrial
pollution in the area.
The economic survey would
measure the present pollution in
the stream and would estimate the
economic gains to be expected
through its elimination.
Grant Aids in Study.
The study of industrial wastes
IN the upper river was made pos
sible by an $4,000 grant from the
Public Health Service and is to be
conducted in cooperation with
Johns Hopkins University.
The economic survey would be
the first made under provisions Of
the national anti-pollution law
and might set a pattern for Ma
tion-wide studies, commission
members said.
Regarding river studies, the
commissions technical committee
suggested that study of the in.
f1uences of fresh water on she'll
fish life at the mouth of the Po-
tomac be considered.
The committee also suggested
that a demonstration area for the
control of industrial wastes be
established on Opequon Creek.
which flows between Virginia and
West Virginia. This demonstra-
ton would be handled Jointly by
the two States. =
Noting that funds are provided
In the national budget for the
completion of the Savage River
Dam, the commission pointed out
that completion of this dam will
not answer all pollution problems
in the upper river.
1t was pointed out that, while
the Savage River Dam will provids
a more even flow in the North
Branch of the Potomac during dry
months, both municipal and in
dustrlal wastes must be eliminated
before the condition of the streams
is much improved.
The commission congratulated
the Upper Potomac River Board
on its work in the upper basin,
and pledged future cooperation.
The commission voted to hold
its spring meeting next May IN
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