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Show D. Distribution of Responsibilities 1. The Place of State and Local Agency Participa- tion in Planning, Programing, Financing, and Operation The Problem The role of State and local agencies in the plan- ning, programing, financing, and operation of de- velopments for the control and use of the water re- sources of the Potomac River Basin. The Situation For the water resource improvements accom- plished in the basin State and local agencies, in- cluding private interests, have had significant part. Programs for future development provide oppor- tunity for continued and enlarged participation and responsibilities by these local entities. Navigation.-The water resources of the upper basin were first used for navigation. In 1785 the Potowmack Co. was organized by George Wash- ington, who wished to provide a navigable connec- tion between the Potomac and the Ohio Rivers. That company completed canals around Great Falls and other obstructions and was succeeded by the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Co. The remains of several of these locks are still in a remarkable state of preservation and are accessible on the Vir- ginia side of Great Falls. In 1850 the latter com- pany, with funds subscribed by the United States, Maryland, and private individuals, extended navi- gation from tidewater to Cumberland, Md., by completing a lateral canal with locks along the north bank of the Potomac River. Although studies were made of the possible continuance of the water- way westward to Pittsburgh, no further work was undertaken. Railroad competition and flood dam- age caused abandonment of through traffic in 1884 and complete abandonment in 1924. The prop- erty was acquired in 1938 by the Federal Govern- ment primarily for recreational purposes. Present navigation is confined to the tidal reaches of the river. Improvements for this navigation have been made by the Federal Government. Ex- tensions above Washington are not now contem- plated. However, local groups are consulted in planning, particularly for the terminal facilities. Certain terminal installations have been built by private interests. An example is the tanker termi- nal and shore storage tanks for petroleum products now being constructed near the mouth of the Potomac River. In considering the rehabilitation of the Govern- ment-owned water-front property at Washington, the plans of the Corps of Engineers were coordinated with the efforts of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the Commissioners of the District of Columbia. Flood Control.-The first flood control works in the basin as already indicated were local levees and walls constructed by individual land owners along upstream tributaries. Numerous communi- ties in the mountainous portions of the basin built some form of flood control works during the period 1936-40 with Works Progress Administration assist- ance. The city of Cumberland had constructed local works previously. Under the policy adopted in the Flood Control Act of 1936,16 flood control works have been undertaken in the basin by the Federal Government. In planning such developments, State and local agencies are consulted and their views ascertained. Participation by local interests to the extent of fur- nishing easements and rights-of-way, and of main- taining and operating the facilities is required in local protection projects. In some cases the divi- sion of responsibility for participation where the project area is politically subdivided may result in local difficulties of financing. Requirements for local cooperation may be more than a particular political unit can subscribe for benefits received. In the instance of the Cumberland, Md.-Ridgeley, W. Va., project, the city of Cumberland assumed substantially all of the obligations of the smaller community of Ridgeley in order that the area benefits could be secured. State and local agencies also have opportunity to contribute to the solution of flood problems by zoning. Encroachments on flood plains by indus- try and urban development create problems of flood control. In the mountain areas of the upper basin narrow valleys restrict space available for urban growth, and there is temptation to occupy the flood plains during prolonged periods between inunda- tions. The results have been costly damages during floods and expensive and difficult construction of adequate flood protection structures. These en- croachments and neglect of channels have become a serious problem. They raise a question as to the 18 Act of June 22, 1936, § 1, 49 Stat. 1570, as amended, 33 U. S. G. 701a-l. 613 |