1096                                        LAWS OF MARYLAND                             [Ch. 4

WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL
5.1. GENERAL POWERS.

(A) THE COMMISSION MAY UNDERTAKE OR CONTRACT FOR
INVESTIGATIONS, 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 MAINTAIN 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 PREVENT, 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 STANDARDS
ESTABLISHED IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

(E)     THE COMMISSION MAY ASSUME JURISDICTION