Evening star., 1953-03-19
By Joseph B. Byrnes

BY Joseph B. byrneS
Prompted by hundreds of pro-
tests from sportsmen, property
owners and commercial fisher
men, Navy Ordnance today
abandoned plans to extend its
underwater test range at Dahl
gren, Va.
Located in one of the narrow
est stretches of the Potomac in
the Popes Greek area, the pres
ent range extends about AZ
miles from the Potomac River
Bridge. upsteam to Matthias
Point.
Naval Ordnance Laboratory
scientists at White Oak, Md, had
contemplated an equilateral tri-
angular extension a little more
than 2 miles long at its base. It
would have paralleled the pres
ent danger area but would have
extended the firing range to
within a city block Of the Mary
land shore. ....
Also, the southern end of the
proposed addition would have
lain directly opposite the en-
trance to Popes Greek, used
yearly as an en1barkation point
by thousands. Of fishing parties
from Washington.
Interrupts Boat Traffic.
During firing periods, which
last year extended from mid
April to mid-August, egress by
water to the popular vacation
and fishing spot was blocked
intermittently.
The decision to drop the
"hot potato" was made by Capt.
Edward L. woodward, command
ing officer of White Oak (Md.)
Naval Ordnance Laboratory.
His action was prompted by
five petitions, signed by 481
irate sportSmen, commercial
fishermen and property owners
at Popes Greek and nearby Cobb
Island, plus Is individual pro-
testing missives.
In addition, displeasure over
the proposal was conveyed to
Senator Saltonstall, Republican,
of Massachusetts,, and Repre-
sentative Short, Republican, Of
Missouri, chairmen of the Senate
and House Armed Services COM
mittees.
Senators Beall and Butler, Re-
publicans, of Maryland, the State
having geographical control of
the Potomac, also were petitioned.
Reaction Surprises Many.
The principal objections stated
by petitioners were the danger
involved, slaughter of game and
commercial fish and the ear
shattering blasts accompanying
explosive tests.
A spokesman for Capt. Wood
yard said Navy and White Oak
scientists were quite surprised"
at public reaction to their pro-
posal.
Col. Alan J. McCutchen, boss
Of the Potomac, under legisla-
ton giving Army Engineers traf-
f1c control of navigable streams,
described the objections funneled
into his Office at Mcmillan Reser-
voir as "voluminous."
The bow to public reaction
relieves Col. McCutchen of con-
Quoting public hearings to de-
termine if the Navy should have
been issued a permit to take
over more of the river for depth
charge tests.
Although the Navy instituted
its request to extend the PopeS
Greek danger erea last August.
notice of intention was not given
until January 80. when Col. Nc
Cutchen's Office posted Public
Notice No. 402.
The notice, accompanied by a
sketch of the portion wanted.
stated "all interested parties
should submit their views, criti-
cisms and protests by February
%, 1883"
Timing Prompts Protest.
It was the timing of the
notice-in the dead of winter,
when most cottage owners had
closed their places-that led
Joseph Young, of Cobb Island,
to circulate the petitions.
Mr.. Young. a retired Capitol
Hill employe, said most Charles
County residents affected felt
the Navy had attempted to put
one over" He said he first
learned of the move in The Star
outdoor column, written by Bill
Leetch.
In compliance with an agree
ment with Maryland's Tidewater
Fisheries Commission, Dahlgren
officials reported 1890 perch and
$50 catfish found dead along the
range shore in 1862. No men,
ton was made in the survey Of
turtles, eels, crabs or other types
Of fish killed.
70 Ia;a AQansaO ~k~l~~.A N~-4