MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                                 1025

WHEREAS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ASKED
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO WORK WITH THE
AFFECTED STATES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA, AND INTERESTED FEDERAL AGENCIES TO PREPARE A
PROGRAM FOR HIS CONSIDERATION WHICH WOULD INCLUDE
PROVISIONS FOR CLEANING UP THE RIVER, PROTECTING ITS
NATURAL BEAUTY AND PROVIDING ADEQUATE RECREATIONAL
FACILITIES, TO WHICH END THE SECRETARY ESTABLISHED THE
FEDERAL INTERDEPARTMENTAL TASK FORCE ON THE POTOMAC;
AND

WHEREAS, THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES OF MARYLAND,
PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA AND WEST VIRGINIA AND THE
COMMISSIONERS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ESTABLISHED
THE POTOMAC RIVER BASIN ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF
THEIR REPRESENTATIVES; AND

WHEREAS, IT HAS BECOME APPARENT TO ALL PARTIES
THAT, ALTHOUGH MANY STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES HAVE
AN INTEREST IN OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONE OR MORE
ASPECTS OF THE WATER RESOURCES OF THE POTOMAC RIVER
BASIN, NONE HAS THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE THE
BROAD, CONTINUOUS GUIDANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND
MANAGEMENT ON A REGIONAL BASIS NECESSARY FOR THE MOST
EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF THESE RESOURCES; AND

WHEREAS, THE WISEST AND MOST EFFICIENT USES OF
THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES OF THE POTOMAC RIVER AND ITS
TRIBUTARIES MAY BE DETERMINED ONLY THROUGH THE
CONTINUING PROCESS OF FULLY COORDINATED AND
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING WHICH IS RESPONSIVE TO ALL OF
THE INTERESTS AND JURISDICTIONS OF THE BASIN; AND

WHEREAS, THE EFFECTUATION OF PLANS SO CONCEIVED
FOR THE CONSERVATION, UTILIZATION, DEVELOPMENT AND
MANAGEMENT OF THESE WATER RESOURCES FOR MAXIMUM PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE BENEFIT MAY BEST BE REALIZED UNDER THE
GUIDANCE OF A SINGLE BASIN AGENCY; AND

WHEREAS, THE POTOMAC RIVER BASIN ADVISORY
COMMITTEE PREPARED A DRAFT OF AN INTERSTATE-FEDERAL
COMPACT CALLING FOR THE CREATION OF A BASIN AGENCY TO
DISCHARGE THE JOINT RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE UNITED
STATES, THE STATES IN THE POTOMAC RIVER BASIN AND THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WITH RESPECT TO THE CONSERVATION,
UTILIZATION, DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE WATER
AND RELATED RESOURCES OF THE POTOMAC RIVER BASIN,
WHICH DRAFT HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY THE AGENCIES OF THE
GOVERNMENTS INVOLVED AND BY THE PUBLIC AND HAS BEEN
REVISED IN THE LIGHT OF COMMENTS THEREFROM;