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Show It enhances the recreational value of the streams, improves the stream environment for fish life, im- proves domestic and municipal water supplies and reduces the cost of their purification, improves shell- fish habitat in tidal waters, reduces the cost of maintaining navigable channels, and on the land provides cover and food for wildlife. Flood Control Recurring floods cause extensive damage in many locations within the basin. The losses from floods in the vicinity of Washington are of particular sig- nificance because the area serves as the seat of gov- ernment, trie nerve center for national defense, and as a great urban center. Elements of a compre- hensive plan must include provisions for regulatory storage at strategic locations on the main stem and tributaries supplemented by levees and other local protection Avorks in critical flood damage areas. All preventable flood damages should be eliminated insofar as thiey are economically justified. In addi- tion to the local flood protection works in the vicin- ity of Washington, such works would include local protection at Cumberland, Md.; Ridgeley, W. Va.; and Waynesboro, Va. Among other localities needing some protection by levees, or other local works, are included Harpers Ferry, Moorefield, Piedmont, Keyser, Green Spring, Petersburg, and Paw Paw in West Virginia; Kitzmiller, Western- port, Hancock, and Williamsport in Maryland; Bridgewatetr and Front Royal, Va.; and at Hynd- man, Pa. The solution of these and similar problems else- where would be included among the objectives. As complements to flood control by the measures listed, and local channel rectification, revetments, and bank protection, a program of land management would be included. Where impracticable or in- feasible to provide flood protection, zoning regula- tions might be adopted under enabling State legis- lation to eliminate exposure of people and property to future flood hazards. Provisions would also be made to pr-event encroachments on the channel capacities o£ the streams. Navigation A prograan for full development includes the maintenance and improvement of the existing 24- feet deep na-vigable waterway from the Chesapeake Bay to Washington. The navigation project for the Washington Harbor would be completed. As 618 a part of this project the program for the rehabilita- tion of the water front in keeping with other Federal developments in the Nation's Capital, by the con- struction of modern water front facilities to replace dilapidated wharves and piers in Washington Channel, would be implemented and completed. The further development of tributaries of the tide- water section would go forward for small boats engaged in the seafood industry and for recreation craft. Harbors of refuge for small fishing and recreation craft would be provided where needed. Appropriate facilities for recreation craft would also be provided. Hydroelectric Power Electric power is one of the major benefits to be realized in comprehensive development of this basin. Prospective hydroelectric power output would be absorbed in the reasonably near future by the growing power demand in the basin and in the important nearby industrial areas and would effect economies in power supply. Potential hydroelectric projects also would be widely scattered over the basin, providing dispersal of power sources, an advantage in national defense. In view of the foregoing, full economic develop- ment of the basin's more than three-quarters of a million kilowatts of hydroelectric power capacity is a desirable objective. Drainage The major drainage problems within the Potomac River Basin lie in scattered localities of the tide- water section, where low-lying farm lands are sub- ject to damage from ponding of rainfall runoff and infrequent tidal inundations. A program for the basin includes the alleviation of these damage areas to the extent practicable and economically feasible. Reclamation of the mud flats along the Anacostia River in the District of Columbia is also an element. Drainage of the extensive marshlands bordering the lower Potomac River should be undertaken only after thorough coordination of all interests involved to assure the maintenance of valuable habitat for waterfowl and fur animals. Water Supply The potential surface and ground water supplies should be allocated so as to provide domestic and industrial water for all future uses. As require- |