Evening star., 1951-09-08
Mine Drainage
In Potomac Nav
Yield Sulphur
Basin Commission to
Sponsor TwofoId
Research Project
By james BirchfieId
Stor Stoff Correspondent


result from a research program
being sponsored by the Interstate
Commission on the Potomac River
Basin.
Commission Director Edwin R.
Cotton said the research project,
to be sponsored by the commits
sion at Johns Hopkins University
into the problems of acid mine
drainage, may discover methods
of salvaging sulphur or sulphuric
acid.
Mr.. Cotton told commission
members, at the closing session of
the groups 10th anniversary
meeting here yesterday, that both
sulphur and sulphuric acid are
now in great demand. He added
that a process to recover the sui
phur from mine waters would be
of economic Importance in the
Potomac Basin.
1t has been estimated that hun
dreds of tons of sulphuric acid
drain from abandoned coal mines
into the headWater streams of
the Potomac River each day.
These acid waters not only Ee-
stroy stream life, but cause ex-
tensive damage to water installa-
tions down stream.
Sc Tons a Day.
From the abandoned mine at
Kempton. Md. alone, it is esti-
mated, as much as 86 tons of sui
phuric acid flows daily into Laurel
Branch, one of the headwater
streams. Trout have been killed,
and even beavers, which once in
habited the lower section. have
moved above the abandoned mine.
The commission elected Harry
Gard Knox, technical adviser to
the Pennsylvania Sanitary Water
Board. as chairman to succeed
Harold A. Kemp, District director
of sanitary engineering. The group
also received recommendations
that it's field of activities be
broadened and that it go on rec
ord as favoring a national water
policy that would emphasize local
participation in basin planning.
DR.. Daniel L. Seckinger, District
health director and chairman of
the commissions land committee,
suggested that the commission
broaden its scope to include the
entire field of basin planning and
development.
DR.. Seckinger asserted that the
field of wafer resources alone is
too Small-that all phases of de-
velopment and planning relating
/ to the basin and its people be
considered by the commission.
Interstate Compacts.
After a study of recommended
tionS in the recent report of the
Presidents Water Resources Policy
/ Commission, the commission
technical committee proposed that
any national water policy should
contain, as a fundamental state
ment, a declaration to the effect
that the comprehensive develop
ment of water and related re-
sources be carried out by inter-
state compact agencies.
The committee further proposed
that drainage areas include whole
basins of sufficient size to permit
integration of all major factors
affecting the resources of the area.
The suggestion also provided
that the Federal Government have
representation in basin agencies
only IN proportion to its interests,
that it bear its proportionate share
!, of expenses and that agency Off
GERS be elected by its members.
In its report, the Presidents
commission recommended the
formation of a national review
board to carry out a definite ma
tional water policy and that agen-
cieS be created in each of the
major river basins to plan and
. develop the basin resources. These
} agencies would be headed by in
dependent chairmen appointed by
the President and would consist
i of members representing the va
riouS State and Federal agencies
), involved.
Would Curb EncrOachment.
! The technical committees sug-
gestions are designed to forestall
+ further Federal encroachment in
y the development of water re-
, sources within States and are
| based on the commissions policy
o that interstate compactS form the
most democratic means of devel-
oping drainage areas.
Mr.. Kemp, who retires after
serving two years as commission
+ chairman, reported that the Po-
: tomac River in the Washington
area became septic during this
, summers dry period.
He said fish were reported killed
G in the Alexandria area and that
r samples disclosed a complete lack
of oxygen in the Anacostia River
;, and as little as two parts per
q million of oxygen in the Potomac.
Fish require minimum of
three parts per million of oxygen.
o he said, while for spawning, game
= fish require as much as five parts
per million.
Serving with Mr.. Knox as vice
: chairman will be George F.
HaZelwood, Cumberland contrac-
tor. officers reelected are Or.
= Seckinger. treasurer. and Oliver
! Gasch. assistant District corpor-
= alton counsel, who will serve as
: counsel.
State Senator John R. Fletcher
of Prince Georges County was
recognized as new member of
the commission from Maryland.
Senator Fletcher replaces former
State Senator L. Harold Sothoron,
whom he defeated in last years
elections.
) Tho oOY,o oY,a iccio,o,c xr,;Y,4 nv. ,oaoo+