OCR Text |
Show Stage II This stage would consist of the orderly develop- ment of the comprehensive plan and would follow immediately upon the completion of the projects included in the initial stage. It is in this stage that the problem of the operation of the comprehensive development, particularly of the reservoir system, would become of particular importance if the maximum benefits to the public at large are to be achieved. The Future Basin Fulfillment of the water resources program in the Potomac River Basin should provide improved liv- ing standards, through increased employment op- portunities arising from industrial expansion; improved and enlarged recreational facilities; im- proved public health; and widespread improve- ment in soil erosion and flood control. As an example of the need for increased employ- ment opportunity in the basin, the Cumberland labor market area surrounding the upper reaches of the river in 1950 had 7,500 persons, or 19 percent of its labor force, unemployed, as compared with a national average of about 5 percent. This is due to technological improvements in 2 major indus- tries and a decline in coal mining, together dis- placing nearly 6,000 workers since 1945. Industrial expansion or emigration of people are the two major alternatives left to the area. Industrial expansion to absorb the unemployed, however, hinges on avail- ability of greater supplies of good water for cooling and processing purposes and an abundant supply of low-cost power. Remedial measures to increase the quantity and improve the quality of water sup- ply of the area will be taken under the program as well as the development of the large block of eco- nomic hydroelectric power potential in the basin. Corollary to industrial development should be an increase in farm income. As a result of such in- creases in employment and income, coupled with land management programs, the basin as a whole should make needed social gains. The future of the Washington area is not clear. A large further growth in the population of the present District area may not occur for a number of years. Instead, decentralization of Govern- ment activities may result in development of satel- lite cities within the basin. This will intensify need for the program. The development of recrea- tional areas in the basin and provision of access highways thereto will not only tap the scenic attrac- tions of the Potomac but should materially assist such decentralization. Pollution will be controlled to provide water safe for public water supplies, fish and wildlife, recrea- tional purposes, and agricultural, industrial, and other uses. The water needs throughout the basin will be met more adequately. With proper land management, flood control, wise drainage practices, improved water supplies, pollution abatement, development of the hydro- electric power resources, navigation, fish and wild- life conservation, full economic use of mineral resources, and use of the manifold recreation possi- bilities, the Potomac River Basin should achieve a position of eminence among basins in this country or abroad. This would be an achievement worthy of its position as the seat of government. It would be a model for comparable programs elsewhere in the Nation. Achieving Water Development Objectives Development of the water resources in the Potomac River Basin is currently hampered by lack of an approved comprehensive plan. The prepa- ration and acceptance of a plan are first require- ments. An educational program better to acquaint the public with the importance of the water re- sources of the basin, their problems, and the need for their solution is necessary to achieve this first objective. To this end advantage should be taken of the experience acquired during hearings on the District Engineer's recent water control program. This experience demonstrated both the attitude of the vocal public toward specific projects, the need for full public understanding of the issues, and the need for expression of opinion by the many who could benefit. It also demonstrated the need for a complete multiple-purpose plan. By coordinating all objectives of multiple-purpose reservoir construction on the Potomac, the most desirable and the most economical over-all develop- ment can result. As in all multiple-purpose plan- ning, the coordination of objectives in the Potomac Basin is a process of harmonizing all needs and purposes so as to produce the best unified program and not necessarily the maximum benefits from any one function. Through construction economies 623 |