2150                            JOINT RESOLUTIONS

Whereas, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission has
been authorized to construct, maintain and operate storm water or
surface drainage systems in those areas in Montgomery County
within the Washington Suburban Sanitary District, and other sys-
tems and parts thereof have been constructed and are operated and
maintained under the jurisdiction of the County Council for Mont-
gomery County, by the State Roads Commission, and by non-public
parties; and

Whereas, Certain of the systems and parts thereof have by reason
of economic necessity and topographic factors utilized open channels
or drains, both through the utilization of existing streams and
through the construction of such channels; and

Whereas, The unprecedented growth and population of the area
within the Washington Suburban Sanitary District within Mont-
gomery County has resulted in a substantial increase in the density of
the population and intensity of land use, and it appears desirable
to consider the question of whether the open channels or drains
should be closed or covered over so as to minimize or prevent erosion,
and health problems, and generally improve the utilization of land
surface areas; and

Whereas, It is recognized that any proposed solution to the prob-
lem must be based upon an understanding of the engineering and
economic factors inherent therein, and that no program for enclosing
or covering the open drains and channels can be implemented unless
there is first developed the background information on a factual
basis; and

Whereas, The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission is, by
reason of experience and the authority given to it under existing
law, in a position to investigate and report upon the question of en-
closing or covering over the open portions of the storm drainage
systems in the herein mentioned area; and

Whereas, It is apparent that the surveys and studies must be
accompanied by research work performed by engineering, fiscal
and legal personnel, and to that end provision should be made by
the Commission for the employment of consultants and research
personnel if the necessity therefor is determined, and it appears
that the most feasible method of making provision for the expenses
to be incurred in performing the surveys and preparing the reports
is by the utilization of funds from the sale of bonds authorized
to be issued by the Commission for storm water or surface drainage
system needs in the Montgomery County portion of the Washington
Suburban Sanitary District; and while it is understood that the
study of the problem is one that will require time and effort, the
Commission will be requested to complete the surveys and reports
prior to the commencement of the 1964 1965 Session of the General
Assembly so that if legislative authorization of an emergency nature is
determined to be necessary, including the authorization for the
issuance of additional bonds by the Commission for the implementa-
tion of any project found to be necessary, such law may be considered
and passed at that Session; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the Wash-
ington Suburban Sanitary Commission be and it is hereby requested