Evening star., 1951-09-07
Potomac Basin
Group Urged 70
Activity
Trade Board Aide
Would Go Beyond
Pollution Control
By james BirchfieId
Stur Sfoff Correspondent


Stur sioff Correspondent
BEDFORD SPRINGS, Pa, Sept.
THE Interstate Commission on
the Potomac River Basih had be-
fore it today challenge to
demonstrate the leadership in the
field Of all natural resources con-
and development that
it has demonstrated in the field
of pollution control.
Louis F. Bohraus, chairman OF
the Rivers and Harbors Commit
tee of the Washington Board Of
Trade, urged that energetic steps
be taken to broaden the COM
MISSIONS scope of activities. Mr..
Bohraus addressed the commits
sion's 10th anniversary meeting
here last night.
Tracing the early history of the
commission, which grew out of a
series Of conferences sponsored by
the Board of Trade. Mr.. Bohraus
said that 10 years ago, some Of
those who helped found the COM
mission felt that it should con-
|stitute an overall planning agency.
Pollution Part of Problem.
In the early days, Mr.. Bohraus
continued. many who were actively
interested in pollution abatement
saw the need for comprehensive
planning of all problems concern
ing the basin, and considered pol
Tuition as only one of these
problems.
1T woIld seem to me-" he said,
that broadened program by
this commission. in which it
would consider the co-ordinated
planning of the natural resources
of the basin. would provide a
democratic and ideal means for
the development of the basins
resources"
Discussing the commissions
activities during the last 10 years,
Harold A. Kemp, commission
chairman and director of sanitary
engineering for the District enum-
Grated an impressive list Of
achievements in the field of pol
luton control.
Mr.. Kemp emphasized that, des-
lpite its lack of regulatory or en-
forcement powers, the commission
has helped bring about vast i'm
lprovements in the Potomac River.
1t has done this through bring
ling about better cooperation be-
tween States within the basin.
He pointed to the Shenandoah
River in Virginia as an example
of successful control
practices. Through the co-opera-
Ition Of various groups, the Virginia
Water Control Board and indus
tries and municipalities, the Shen-
Iandoah is vastly improved
stream.
/ Two Worst Spots.
! Mr.. Kemp said the two worst
spots in the Potomac basin are
the upper river in the Luke
Cumberland area, and the area
around the District of Columbia.
| He said improvements are antic-
Iipated In both areas. The City
of Cumberland now is making
plans for treatment facilities
which may also include facilities
for adjacent towns, while in the
Washington area a cooperative
agreement between the District
and nearby Maryland, facilities
in nearby Virginia will bring about
great improvements to the Po-
tomac in the Metropolitan Area.
Mr.. Kemp referred to an agree
ment between the District and
the Maryland Suburban Sanitary
Commission under which all Mary
land sewage will be treated at
the District plant, which will be
enlarged by about 1857 to give
both primary and secondary treat
ment to all of it's wastes.
In the field of interstate CO.
operation, Mr.. Kemp said the
commission had been largely in
Istrumental in sponsoring a survey
by the Virginia communities near
Washington to determine whether
all wastes from these communities
could not better be treated in a
single plant. That survey is now
underway.
Acid Drainage Serious.
A serious problem-that of pol
luton from acid mine drainage
is being considered by the COM
mission, Mr.. Kemp said. He said
the commission is sponsoring a
study at Johns Hopkins University
which it is hoped may lead to a
method of solving this pollution
problem.
Acid wastes drain into streams
from abandoned coal mines, de-
stroying all aquatic and vegetable
life. If means of preventing this
discharge can be found, greater
pollution control will be possible
along the Potomac's North
Branch.
Out of panel discussion earlier
yesterday of the proposed park
way development connecting
Washington and Cumberland
along the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal came action which may
bring about an agreement on
methods of developing the his
toric waterway.
Committees to Be Named.
Representative Beall, Repub-
lican, of Maryland, who served as
panel moderator. said committees
will be appointed representing all
interested groups to work out a
plan for the canal.
Mr.. Beall, author of a bill pro-
vidlng $4,000 for the parkway
survey. said he is not welded to
any particular plan for the canal.
He said he wants only to see USE
full development of the area.
Yesterdays panel brought out
opposing ideas by representatives
OF sportsmen. industry. the Park
Service and various areas.