Evening star., 1951-12-11
Industries Told
Parkway Won't t
Cut Off Water
Capital Parks OfficiuI
Addresses Maryland
Board of Resources
BY the Assoeioted Press

BY the Asseeiated Press
ANNAPOLIS, Md, Dec. ia
Federal parks official has dispelled
one of the objections industries
might have to the proposed Chesa-
peake & Ohio Canal parkway.
Harry T. Thompson said the
Government has never prevented
any one from crossing canal prop
erty to get to the river. And il
probably wouldn't set up such q
policy. he added.
That has been one of industry's
main objections to the estimated
SIT million development - the
parkway might cut off their access
to Potomac River water.
Mr.. Thompson, associate super
intendent of National Capital
Parks. gave his views at a meet
ing yesterday of the State Board
OF Natural Resources.
Bill for Land Unsuccessful.
The parkway would run from
Great Falls in Montgomery Coun-
ty about 180 miles to Cumberland.
A joint study of the desirability
OF the program is being made by
the State Roads Commission,
State Planning Commission, Re-
sources Board and the National
Park Service.
A General Assembly resolution
last winter called for the survey.
But hackers of the parkway were
unsuccessful in getting a measure
through authorizing the State to
buy the land and cede it to the
Federal Government.
The State Roads Commission s
lawyer said yesterday it regards
the parkway as very desirable"
but not essential.
Assistant Attorney General
Joseph D. Buscher, who often
represents the roads agency, gave
an unofficial" portrayal of its
opinion.
Agreements Reached.
"The commission feels it would
be a very desirable road, but not
a road of necessity" Mr.. Buscher
said. They probably would not
build the road themselves, at least
for many years."
Mr.. Buscher has represented the
commission in the joint study.
Negotiations have produced ten
tative agreement on questions of
access to the Potomac River, side
road construction, sanitation and
traffic control measures, the board
was told.
Director Ernest A. Vaughn OF
the State Game and Inland Fish
Commission and Harry T. Thomp-I
son of the Park Service were asked
to prepare an arrangement for
hunting in the area.
Mr.. Vaughn proposed acquiring
some islands in the Potomac to
make up for land that would be
closed to hunters.
Will Confer Again.
Mr.. Thompson had noted hunt
ing would be prohibited on park
land, but new wildlife sanctuaries
could be established.
The two will consult again to
mark out areas north of the river
and islands off shore that might
be acquired by the State for Wild
life use.
Mr.. Vaughn suggested deducting
island acreage from land areas
currently proposed for acquisition
by the State. The Park Service
now owns about $500 acres along
the canal, but has mapped an ad-
ditional 11.000 acres for the park
way.
Costs of buying up the extra
land have been estimated at be-
tween SIT million and 81 million.
The Park Service figures the en-
tire development will cost some
SIT million.
Would Limit Smoot Permits,
The Resources Board passed a
resolution requesting the Corps of
Engineers to limit the dredging
permits of the Smoot Sand & Gra-
vel Co. of Washington in the Po-
tomac River to one year.
This was done to permit fish
cries authorities Of the State time
to study the effect, if any, that
dredging has on the fishing in
dustry and to make recommen-
dations if necessary.
The boards greatest concern is
the effect of dredging during the
spawning period.
On another question brought
before the board. the Corps of
Engineers agreed to install a fish
ladder in the new dam to be con-
structed at Little Falls.
Project Called Feasible.
The present dam, originally
built to divert water to the lower
reaches of the Chesapeake & Ohio
Canal, forms a barrier to the up
stream migration of fish. Water
from the dam is now sold to near
by industries.
Mr.. Vaughn described the lad
ders as feasible and practical
project which would enable fish
to go upstream as far as Great
Falls, a distance of 10 miles.
Ralph Silliman of Fish and
Wildlife Service said the ladders
would restore the size Of the
spawning area to what 1t was be-
fore the dam was built.