OCR Text |
Show may be a gradual decrease in production. Strip mining has been on the increase. The basin contains undeveloped deposits of low- grade minerals and ores, such as iron, gypsum, sandstone, gold, copper, manganese, and large quantities of limestone. Fisheries The tidewater portion of the Potomac River and its tributaries supports a substantial seafood and fishing industry. The catch includes herring, croak- er, shad, sea trout, striped bass, oysters, and crabs. This industry is centered in the lower river counties of Charles and St. Mary's in Maryland, and West- moreland, Northumberland, and Prince William in Virginia. In 1945, value of the catch of fish and oysters amounted to 1.6 million dollars and 1.4 million dollars respectively. Because of the over- fishing and lack of conservation measures, the sea- food industry has been declining. Maryland is promoting vigorously a program for the economic recovery of the tidewater fisheries. Recreation The basin is considered one of the country's most popular recreational areas. Tourists from all parts of the world are attracted to the area yearly, to visit the many liighly publicized and historic shrines. Washington leads as the most visited part of the basin, but the surrounding States also consider the tourist industry important. The State highway system in Virginia is adjusted to this travel, at- tracted by historic and scenic attractions like Mount Vernon, Skyline Drive, the Great Falls of the Potomac, and the limestone caverns. Within the basin there are a number of publicly owned forest areas including the Monongahela and George Washington National Forests. However, recreation Is generally a secondary use of these public lands, which were established primarily for watershed protection and timber production. The Federal Government and all States have established park areas for recreation, mostly in the western part of the basin. Outstanding among them is the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Recreational facilities are provided in most parks for picnicking, swimming, hiking, fishing, camping; in some mountain areas, facilities are available for winter sports. However, little has been done along the shores of the river. Despite the great need for beach facilities, there is only one publicly owned beach within the basin, at Westmoreland State Park, Va. Major Basin Problems Although local conditions exist where corrections or improvements are required, the economic con- dition of the Potomac Basin is generally prosperous. Economic problems arise principally from exhaus- tion or mismanagement of the natural resources and a rapid increase in the population. Principal among these problems are those directly related to the development and use of the basin's water re- sources. Proper development of the Potomac itself may be counted the first problem of the region. It is an issue with many facets. One is the provision of actual physical needs for the numbers of people who recently have come into the region and must depend upon its water facilities for proper sewage and other waste disposal, adequate recreation facil- ities, and water of proper quality for municipal use. Another is making use of the river's potentialities for supporting production to meet other basic needs like manufactured goods for the increasing market of the basin. A third lies in arresting depletion, through proper forest or other watershed manage- ment, which can help in providing a clean, well- controlled, efficiently used, and attractive river. The use of the Potomac River itself, therefore, is at the center of important economic issues in the Potomac Basin of 1950. 580 |