A Regional Approach to Watershed Management

 

The Potomac River watershed covers 14,670 square miles (about the size of Switzerland) and includes such storied waterways as the Shenandoah River and Antietam Creek. Yet only one entity has been chartered by Congress to protect the waters of our Nation’s River: the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB). So, what is ICPRB and what does it do?

From long before the Colonial Era, the Potomac River watershed has provided its inhabitants with abundant food and clean water. Over time, this resource was abused, over-used, and turned into an open sewer.

In the early 20th century, the five jurisdictions that make up the Potomac River basin (Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia) realized they needed a collaborative approach to improve water quality. None could do it alone. Accordingly, they signed an agreement to protect and enhance the waters and related resources of the Potomac River through science, regional cooperation, and education. Congress approved this Compact in 1940.

Although initially formed in response to extreme pollution, a series of devastating droughts in the 1960’s led Congress to empower ICPRB to address drinking water supply issues as well.

Lacking any regulatory authority, ICPRB has studied the challenges facing the watershed and recommended solutions, many of which have been adopted by the basin jurisdictions. In the process, ICPRB developed—and strives to maintain—a sterling reputation for doing high quality, scientifically-rigorous research.

Given ICPRB’s track record, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommended that ICPRB develop a long-range strategy for managing water resources. In 2018, after extensive stakeholder participation, ICPRB adopted the Potomac River Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan, which tasks ICPRB to serve as the catalyst for implementation in collaboration with all our partners, including the Reservoir Center for Water Solutions.

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Michael Nardolilli is the Executive Director of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. The opinions expressed are those of the author and should not be construed as representing the opinions or policies of the United States or any of its agencies, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin or any of its Commissioners, or any of the jurisdictions in the Potomac River Basin