Potomac News Reservoir, January 23, 2020
New Monocacy River board, Anacostia River sediment, striped bass, microplastics, and more in the Potomac News Reservoir.
News
ICPRB Celebrates 80 Years
The commissioners and staff of ICPRB celebrate as 2020 marks our 80th anniversary of protecting and preserving the Potomac River basin.
These 80 years have seen incredible change in the Potomac basin, and much has been accomplished by ICPRB and many others to return the Potomac to a resource that its residents so gratefully use and rely on for drinking water, recreation, commercial/agricultural use, and a way to appreciate nature.
The commission will be telling its story during the year in a number of ways, including a social media “Throwback Thursday” series on Facebook and Twitter. During the year, ICPRB will highlight the history of the river and the efforts to protect and preserve it by posting a new picture and story each Thursday of 2020. Join in the conversation on either platform by using #Potomac80.
Message from the Executive Director
Special Celebration on 10-10-2020
The year of celebration will culminate with a fundraising cruise on the Potomac River. All proceeds of the event will go towards implementation of the Potomac Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan. For more information on the event, click on the picture below.
Anniversary Celebration Brochure
The Anniversary Celebration Brochure highlights the accomplishments of ICPRB over the last 80 years. Additionally, after 8 decades of success, we look to future decades with the fourteen recommendations from the Potomac River Basin Water Resources Comprehensive Plan.
Potomac News Reservoir, January 16, 2020
Rockfish, bobcats, plastic bags, bay cleanup backout? and more in the Potomac News Reservoir.
Potomac News Reservoir, January 9, 2020
ICPRB 80th, road salt, aquatic grasses, stormwater, Anacostia, and more in the Potomac News Reservoir.
Potomac New Reservoir, January 2, 2020
Santa skis Potomac, train wreck fouls Potomac, goldfish live in the Potomac, cleaning the Anacostia, a Potomac tributary, and more in the Potomac News Reservoir.
Potomac News Reservoir, December 19, 2019
Celebrity trashes Potomac, paper mill cited, supreme court stormwater, water skiing Santa, and more in the Potomac News Reservoir.
Is the Potomac Getting ‘Dirtier and Dirtier and Dirtier’?
A statement from Michael Nardolilli, Executive Director of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin:
Fox News’ Tucker Carlson has generated lots of discussion about the Potomac River in a recent interview that included his belief that the Potomac River has gotten ”Dirtier and dirtier and dirtier and dirtier. I go down there and that litter is left almost exclusively by immigrants, who I’m sure are good people, but nobody in our country—.”
The Potomac is certainly cleaner than it was 30 years ago in almost every respect. However, stormwater, and the litter it carries, remains a major impact to the Potomac. Stormwater collects litter from everywhere in the landscape and dumps it in waterways. Research suggests that trash in our rivers is a long-term problem throughout society and is not limited to any particular socioeconomic or racial group.
Research shows the large scope of the problem and assessed efforts to combat the issue, both in the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay cleanups. The annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup held every spring since 1989 brings thousands of volunteers to area waterways, showing the region’s strength of commitment. Many great organizations organize cleanup events throughout the year and we encourage basin residents to join them. These cleanup are underpinned by research showing that trash in our waterways is a problem created across social and economic boundaries.
Much progress has been made and the Potomac River is cleaner than it has been in decades. Litter is a problem, but it is not the only threat to our Nation’s River and it is certainly not linked with any specific group of people. Nutrients, sediment, and the medical and industrial chemicals placed in the river each day also contribute to the pollution problem. But even with these threats, the resilience of the river and its people is evident. Each day, the river provides clean drinking water, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitat to those who are lucky enough to live within its watershed.
Potomac News Reservoir, December 5, 2019
The Luke Mill, Dyke Marsh, coal ash, rockfish, stormwater, and more in the Potomac News Reservoir.
Potomac News Reservoir, November 21, 2019
Road salt, stormwater fees, black liquor with a splash, Anacostia, and more in the Potomac News Reservoir.
ICPRB Business Meeting Announcement
The First Quarter ICPRB Business Meeting will be held December 3, 2019, at the ICPRB office in Rockville, Md. The ICPRB Commissioners will be updated on the planning for our 80th anniversary celebration, learn about various ICPRB projects, and get a special presentation on opportunities to enhance a Potomac sub-watershed in the North Branch Potomac River. The full agenda can be found on the Business Meetings page. The public is invited to attend, but please RSVP as space is limited.