804                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                      [CH. 391

64.

Article 5

Water Quality Management and Control

5.1—General Powers.

(a)    The commission may undertake or contract for investiga-
tions, studies, and surveys pertaining to existing water quality,
effects of varied actual or projected operations on water quality,
new compounds and materials and probable future water quality in
the basin. The commission may receive, expend, and administer
funds, Federal, state, local, or private as may be available to carry
out these functions relating to water quality investigations.

(b)    The commission may acquire, construct, operate, and main-
tain projects and facilities for the management and control of water
quality in the basin whenever the commission deems necessary to
activate or effectuate any of the provisions of this compact.

5.2—Policy and Standards

(a)    In order to conserve, protect, and utilize the water quality
of the basin in accordance with the best interests of the people of
the basin and the states, it shall be the policy of the commission to
encourage and coordinate the efforts of the signatory parties to pre-
vent, reduce, control, and eliminate water pollution and to maintain
water quality as required by the comprehensive plan.

(b)     The legislative intent in enacting this article is to give
specific emphasis to the primary role of the states in water quality
management and control.

(c)    The commission shall recommend to the signatory parties
the establishment, modification, or amendment of standards of
quality for any waters of the basin in relation to their reasonable and
necessary use as the commission shall deem to be in the public
interest.

(d)    The commission shall encourage cooperation and uniform
enforcement programs and policies by the water quality control
agencies of the signatory parties in meeting the water quality stand-
ards established in the comprehensive plan.

(e)    The commission may assume jurisdiction whenever it
determines after investigation and public hearing upon due notice
given that the effectuation of the comprehensive plan so requires.
After such investigation, notice, and hearing, the commission may
adopt such rules, regulations, and water quality standards as may be
required to preserve, protect, improve, and develop the quality of the
waters of the basin in accordance with the comprehensive plan.

5.3—Cooperative Administration and Enforcement

(a)    Each of the signatory parties agrees to prohibit and control
pollution of the waters of the basin according to the requirements
of this compact and to cooperate faithfully in the control of future
pollution in and abatement of existing pollution from the waters of
the basin.

(b)    The commission shall have the authority to investigate and
determine if the requirements of the compact or the rules, regula-
tions, and water quality standards of the commission are complied