J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor 499

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Speed is of the essence in carrying out the recommendations of the
Corps of Engineers. There are various steps through which the report
must advance, including approval by Congress and appropriation of
funds before construction of any impoundment will commence. A
delay of ten years could easily ensue from approval until completion
of some of the recommended projects. Well before that time, it is
expected the need of water development would amount to more than
50 percentum of the capabilities of the Basin.

We further believe the time has arrived when this Committee
should state its opinion of the kind of project under which the
development of the River will be carried out. We wish to emphasize
that we now express no position on the merits or demerits of sizes
of dams or specific locations. There are several considerations, how-
ever, which impel us to our decision. These are the diversity of
jurisdictions involved in the Basin, the preponderance of Federal
benefits resulting from these projects under the 1961 revision of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the uncertain success of State
compacts, and the fact that the chief beneficiary of development of
the Potomac must be the Washington Metropolitan Area.

It is therefore our conviction that development of the Potomac
River Basin should be placed under a program authorized

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BY, AND WITH THE FINANCIAL ASSIST-
ANCE OF, the United States. Only with this kind of program do we
believe there is any certainty of early completion of the development
of the Basin. "

WHEREAS, The Corps of Engineers has released its recommenda-
tions for impoundments on the North Branch of the Potomac River.
The North Branch although an integral part of the overall develop-
ment plan of the Potomac can be effectuated independently of the
overall plan. The Director of the State Planning Department has
been designated by the Governor of Maryland to determine the State's
position on the Potomac and coordinate it with the other Basin States.
The Special Committee urges immediate action in implementing the
North Branch impoundments; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That we urge that
the development of the Potomac River

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BY, AND WITH THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF,
the United States; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge the immediate implementation of the
recommendations of the Corps of Engineers for impoundment of the
North Branch of the Potomac River; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislative Council of Maryland is requested
to reappoint its Special Committee on the Potomac River for 1962.

Approved March 23, 1962.