Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1950-04-13
Patuxent Dam Project Near Laurel Protested
By Almost One Hundred Aroused Land Owners
Would Provide
Supplementary
Water Supply
'NOt Necessary Say
Those Whose Property
Would Be Inundated

Nearly 100 residents along ia
mile stretch of the Patuxent River
between Ashton and Laurel, are
up in arms over the prospects Of
losing their homes and farms be-
cause of the proposal of the Wash
ington Suburban Sanitary Commits
sion to build a 115-foot dam APP
proximately 600 feet upstream
from the present Rocky Gorge
Pumping Station.
Harry B. Shaw, chief deputy
engineer of WSSC, points out that
the dam is not new proposal, but
just another step in the Commits
sion's plans for adequate water fa-
cilities for the area. The proposed
dam will link with the existing
Brighton Dam above Mink Hollow,
to feed through publication plants
and pumping stations. The dam
will store 6h billion gallons,
double the amount of Brighton
Dam. 1t will generate 1900 horse
power at the estimated cost Of
$2,250,OOO.
If completed as planned by the
Commission within the next two
years, the huge reservoir would in
undate 773 acres of land. The SAM
tary Commission plans to acquire
$500 more acres in Montgomery,
Prince Georges and Howard Couh-
ties, which, If carried out, would
necessitate a mass exodus of farm
ers and property owners from the
large area.
Mr. Shaw explained that the ac-
QUESTION of the additional 2300
acres Of surrounding territory is
necessary to guard the water from
pollution.
In an attempt to forestall the
loss of their farms and homes,
property owners along the Patux-
emf River from Ashton to Laurel,
have held several protest meetings
which have resulted in the forma-
ton of tie Patuxent River Prop
erty Owners Association with Cliff
ton c. Link president.
Many homesteads of the three
affected counties have been in the
same families for three, four and
even five generations, some dating
back to the revolutionary days.
Mr.. Link operates a 150-acre fam
at Ednor which was titled by his
father, grandfather and great
grandfather. He has more than
personal sentiment to offer for the
defense against losing his farm.
"Why this old river is q way of
life out here - it waters our cattle
- it's the seashore for our kids
and grown-ups alike, who enjoy
the everyday swims during hot
weather without travelling nearly
a hundred miles back and forth to
waters of the Chesapeake Bay. II
furnishes us with game and fish -
in winter it becomes our skating
rink. It gives us inward peace and
beauty and enriches our liyessbe-
yond any price, and my farm is not
for sale to anyone, including the
Washington Sanitary Commits
sion," said Mr.. Link.
Mr.. Link asserts that il is un-
thinkable for him to be force to
give up his old homestead for q
less desirable farm that would cost
him thousands of dollars more than
the Suburban Sanitary Commits
sion seems willing to pay him at
the present time for his land. He
has secured the country and there
are few farms that take his eye,
not even considering the price in
volved, We said.
Property owners declare with in
dignation that they are being offer
ed only $3.50 per acre, whereas