OCR Text |
Show Potomac River Basin Compact, 1939 Whereas it is recognized that abatement of existing pollution and the control of future pollution of interstate streams can best be pro- moted through a joint agency representing the several states located wholly or in part within the area drained by any such interstate stream; and Whereas the Congress of the United States has given its consent to the States of Maryland and West Virginia, the Commonwealths of Pennsylvania and Virginia, and the District of Columbia to enter into a compact providing for the creation of a conservancy district to consist of the drainage basin of the Potomac River and the main and tributary streams therein, for "the purpose of regulating, con- trolling, preventing, or otherwise rendering unobjectionable and harm- less the pollution of the waters of said Potomac drainage area by sew- age and industrial and other wastes"; Now therefore the States of Maryland and West Virginia, the Commonwealths of Pennsylvania and Virginia, and the District of Columbia, hereinafter designated signatory bodies, do hereby create the Potomac Valley Conservancy District, hereinafter designated the Conservancy District, comprising all of the area drained by the Po- tomac River and its tributaries; and also, do hereby create the Inter- state Commission on the Potomac River Basin, hereinafter designated the Commission, under the articles of organization as set forth below. ARTICLE I The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin shall con- sist of three members from each signatory body and three members appointed by the President of the United States. Said Commission- ers, other than those appointed by the President, shall be chosen in a manner and for the terms provided by law of the signatory body from which they are appointed and shall serve without compensation from the Commission but shall be paid by the Commission their actual expenses incurred and incident to the performance of their duties. (A) The Commission shall meet and organize within thirty days after the effective date of this compact, shall elect from its number a chairman and vice-chairman, shall adopt suitable by-laws, shall make, adopt, and promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary for its management and control, and shall adopt a seal. (B) The Commission shall appoint and, at its pleasure, remove or discharge such officers and legal, engineering, clerical, expert and other assistants as may be required to carry the provisions of this com- pact into effect, and shall determine their qualifications and fix their duties and compensation. Such personnel as may be employed shall be employed without regard to any civil service or other similar re- 251 |