Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-09

speedy complexion OF the nail
done and long suspended job Of
retaining and developing the
Anacostia River and its marsh
lands in Washington was urged
upon the Army Engineer Corps
yesterday.
More than so individuals and
representatives Of various local
area agencies pressed for action
in a public hearing held by the
Washington District Engineers.
The major misgiving raised
was how the basic reclamation
would be financed.
The hearing was part Of al
$4,000. two-year study being
made by the engineers office. IT
was asked In a Senate resolution
Of 1850. 1t is actually a review
Of a 32-year-old reclamation re-
port by the engineers to deter
mine whether any notifications
are in order after the long lapse
of time.
Stopped in 1941
Reclamation work stopped in
l94l when the District govern
ment, which had been footing the
bill, decided 1t could no longer
afford the project. Dredging,
landfill and seawall construction
had progressed along three miles
of Anacostia waterfront from the
confluence with the Potomac to-
the Pennsylvania Railroad
freight bridge just upstream
from Sousa Bridge.
Remaining is another three
miles of similar work encompass
ing improvements not only to the
river and its borders proper, but
to Kingman Lake near East
Capitol Street Bridge and East
Lake near the District line.
Some dredging and landf1ll al
ready has been accomplished in
connection with the Anacostia
flood control project. which ex-
tends well into adjoining Prince
Georges County.
Recreation Development
All reclamation work in the
Districts stretch of the Ana
costa is under supervision of
the District Engineers Office. AS
in the past, the reclaimed areas
probably will be turned over to
National Capital Parks for
recreation development.
The question of who would
pay was raised by the engineers
themselves when nobody volun-
teered a suggestion from the
floor. Those making the study
say it's too early in their in
vestigation to know what f1nanc-
ing recommendation to make to
Congress.
1t appears unlikely that the
District government. in its
chronic Strengthened circum-
stances. could resume carrying
the burden it dropped in 1871.
One possibility. however, is Fed
eral-municipal participation.
The Federal pay idea was ad-
vanced for solving at least one
problem related to developing
the area.
Construct Sewers
Speaking for the District De-
partment of Sanitary Engineer
ing. George Moorehead said
funds appropriated to some Fed
eral agencies such as the Engi-
neer Corps might be sought to
construct sewers to divert storm
water flow to points closer to the
mouth of the Anacostia. There
are numerous major storm water
outlets farther upstream now.
The storm water diversion
problem is being studied now by
a board of engineers retained by
the city to survey all local sewer
needs. One project alone - a.
storm water collector along the
west bank of Kingman Lake
would cost an estimated SIS mil
ion, Mr.. Moorehead said.
Robert L. Wadsworth. civilian
ide to Col. George B. Sumner,
district Engineer. gave assur-
noes the Office would give close
lttention to means of diverting
III sewage from the Anacostia.
Other witnesses
Among other witnesses to raise
)ecific points:
Norman LOe, Washington
'acht Club-Some provision
must be made for getting boats
last the freight bridge, a low
lying draw span that now is
operated only infrequently.
xingman Lake should be made
accessible to small boats.
Capt. Joseph L. Proctor, Dis
trict Harbormaster and COM
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