WASHINGTON — When he was president, Lyndon B. Johnson called the Potomac
River “the national
disgrace.” The group aiming to protect the Potomac River says it has come a
long
way, but that this is an important time for the river’s future health.
At last evaluation, the Potomac River’s health got a C grade. Not great, but
improving, says Hedrick Belin, president of the Potomac Conservancy.
“But that progress is threatened to be overwhelmed by the explosive growth of
pollution that flows across the land when it rains,” Belin says.
The group released its eighth annual State of the Nation’s River report, expressing
its concerns about the rapid growth in the area and what sprawl will mean for
the
Potomac’s water quality.
“It’s at this interesting moment in time where either it can continue to make
progress towards a stronger grade or we’re going to see backtracking or
backsliding,” Belin says.
Through smart property management, the use of rain collection points and
building around
existing infrastructure while accommodating future growth, Belin says, the
Potomac can be kept on track.
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