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Show vation of features of national importance in this section of the river. However, adequate informa- tion to make these judgments is not now available. 4. Evaluation of Present Planning, Implementation, and Operation of Elements in a Comprehensive Program The Problem The extent to which the planning, implement- ing, and operation of water resource projects should be coordinated in the Potomac Basin. The Situation The outstanding problems brought forth by con- sideration of proposals for comprehensive planning of the water resources of the Potomac River Basin are: Coordination of recreational facilities with reservoir development.-This problem is of most concern in the vicinity of Washington. It concerns preservation of existing natural recreation and scenic conditions and the disposition and utilization of the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Coordination of recreational values in upriver areas is also involved. The agencies concerned are the Corps of Engineers, the Federal Power Commission, the power marketing agency of the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service, the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the Inter- state Commission on the Potomac River Basin, and numerous unofficial groups having interests in recreation. Coordination of measures involved in land inundation by reservoirs.-This problem arises essentially in upstream agricultural areas at the proposed reservoir sites at Millville, Springfield, and Brocks Gap. The agencies concerned are the Corps of Engineers, the Federal Power Commission, the Department of Agriculture and the State and local governments. Federal agencies providing services for rehabilitation of displaced persons are also involved. Coordination of reservoir development with fish and wildlife interests.-The problems in- volved consist of the evaluation of benefits and detriments, and determination of optimum meas- ures to conserve and enhance these values. The principal agencies concerned include the Corps of Engineers and the Federal and State fish and wild- life services. Coordination of sedimentation and pollution control measures with basin planning.-Direct measures to abate sedimentation and pollution are essentially independent of the measures to be taken for stream control, but are complementary to all. Agencies concerned are the Department of Agri- culture (Soil Conservation Service and Forest Service), the Federal Security Agency (Public Health Service), State health departments, State water pollution control agencies, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, and the Corps of Engineers. Coordination of water supply problems.- There are no major conflicts of interests between water supply and other water conservation purposes. Adequate supplies exist but regulation is required. Comprehensive plans for water resource develop- ment must include long-range provision for future demands. To this end, local and State require- ments should be appraised and coordinated in basin plans. The requirements for the Washington metropolitan area are adequately evaluated for the immediate decades. The interested agencies in- clude the Corps of Engineers (Washington Aque- duct) , the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commis- sion in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the several State and local governmental agencies. Coordination of basic data.-Hydrologic data in the basin have been generally adequate for planning purposes, but additional short-term records will be required to supplement available well- distributed long-term records, especially in the headwater tributary areas. Sediment and water quality records (including the effect of mine wastes) are inadequate. Mapping is generally adequate for preliminary studies. Besides the several interested Federal agencies, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin and the agencies of the several States are concerned with these and other aspects of basic data collection. Comprehensive data on recreation is urgently required. Agencies with obligation to collect basic data on recreation include the National Park Service, the National Capital Park and Plan- ning Commission, the Forest Service, and the park and forest services of the various States. Coordination of watershed management with other basin activities.-Watershed management is complementary to other water resources activities in the basin. It enhances the quality of water, im- proves stream regimen, reduces sedimentation of the streams, provides greater opportunities for recrea- tion, increases fish and wildlife habitats, conserves soil, and adds to the economic wealth of the basin through increased crops, pasture and timber yields. 611 |
