(a) Highlight today's most pressing problems and propose feasible
solutions;
(b) Recognize the interrelationship of the separate needs of the
urban and rural areas of the Basin, and propose action by federal,
state and local governments;
(c) Specifically consider the economic growth of the Basin in
relation to water resources development; and
(d) Emphasize the need for an intergovernmental organization, along
the lines of the proposed Potomac River Basin Compact, which would
have continuing responsibilities for the planning and development
of the Potomac River Basin.
During the past two years the Advisory Committee has focused attention
on preparation of a draft of a proposed interstate-federal compact which
has been submitted to the governments and the people within the Potomac
River Basin for comment. We believe that an interstate-federal agency
for the planning, development and management of the Potomac, envisaged
by the Compact, offers by far the most promising opportunity for the
people of the Basin to guide the water resources development of the
Potomac, and for the implementation of many of the Report's
recommendations.
The Advisory Committee wishes to commend the Federal Interdepartmental
Task Force for the constructive and imaginative manner in which this
difficult assignment has been carried out. The Committee wishes also to
thank you for the opportunity of being associated with the work of the
Task Force through our state observers.
As representatives of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
and the District of Columbia, we shall recommend that our heads of
government, the legislatures, and the state and local agencies accord
the most careful consideration to this report.
Sincerely yours,
[signature]
James J. O'Donnell, Chairman
Potomac River Basin Advisory Committee
Honorable Kenneth Holum
Assistant Secretary
Department of the Interior
Washington, D.C. 20240
[Illustration]