ICPRB is excited to announce our first Walk in the Woods of 2023! Join us on April 1 for “Walk in the Woods: Let’s be Smart About Winter Salt“, produced in partnership with Izaak Walton League of America and the City of Gaithersburg. The walk is free. Registration is requested.
The ICPRB Alternate Commissioner Scott Kudlas of the Virginia Department of the Environmental Quality will be retiring this year and has resigned his long-term position as the ICPRB Alternate Commissioner representing Virginia. We are grateful for his almost two decades of work protecting and preserving the Potomac River and its related resources.
We look forward to working with the newly appointed Alternate Commissioner representing Virginia, Anthony “Scott” Morris.
In recognition of his dedication and service to the Commission, a Resolution of Appreciation of Service was drawn.
The Resolution reads as follows:
Whereas Mr. Kudlas has served as a Virginia Alternate Commissioner to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin from 2004 until February 13, 2023; and
Whereas Mr. Kudlas brought to the Commission his skills as the Director of the Office of Water Supply at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality; and
Whereas Mr. Kudlas, during his tenure, served as a member of the Executive Committee and as Chairman of the Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac from September 2014 to September 2015 and as Chairman of ICPRB from September 2015 to September 2016; and
Whereas Mr. Kudlas, a leader in the water resources management field, oversaw development of advanced technical tools for Virginia water supply planning, use of the Chesapeake Bay Program watershed model for water availability evaluations, and development of regional groundwater models to assist in management of coastal plain aquifers. He also understood the value of collaboration, working with scientists at Virginia Tech, the US Geological Survey, and ICPRB on projects to benefit the waters of Virginia; and
Whereas Mr. Kudlas provided support between the Commonwealth of Virginia and its Department of Environmental Quality in a range of other ICPRB projects and further assisted the agency as an officer of the Commission; and
Whereas Mr. Kudlas has retired from both ICPRB and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that at its business meeting on March 7, 2023, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin honors and commends Scott Kudlas for his outstanding service, expresses its appreciation for his many contributions to the success of the Commission, and wishes him success in his future endeavors.
The conference will be held on September 21, 2023. It will highlight the state of the science, case studies, equity and environmental justice considerations, policy implications, management actions, and funding considerations for climate change in the Potomac River basin.
We are seeking presenters to share their expertise in these and other related areas. If you are interested in presenting, please complete the Call for Presenters Form by COB Friday, April 21, 2023.
Sign up for email notifications of the conference by completing the Information Signup form.
This event currently is planned as an in-person conference (location is TBD but expected to be in the Metro DC area). The ICPRB is committed to the health and safety of staff, speakers, and attendees. As the conference date approaches, we will assess the safety of the of the event and will shift to a virtual event if needed.
Celebrate Earth Day with ICPRB by joining us for a stream cleanup in Frederick, MD, on April 15. Picking up trash in and near waterways prevents pollution, helps aquatic life, and improves water quality all the way to the Chesapeake Bay.
This event is part of Alice Ferguson Foundation’s Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup and produced in partnership with the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, the Golden Mile Alliance, the Islamic Society of Frederick, Horning Property Management, the City of Frederick, and Frederick City’s Sustainability Committee.
Gloves and trash bags will be provided.
To stay safe and hydrated, we suggest bringing a water bottle and wearing sunscreen, sturdy/waterproof shoes (if you have them), long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a hat. Waders or waterproof boots are a plus.
Find more information and register on Eventbrite.
We are seeking a Communications Director who will control and oversee the flow of communication and information between ICPRB and the public. This individual will be responsible for acting as the face of ICPRB at media events and directing marketing and public relations campaigns. We seek a dynamic team player who will set the tone for messaging and who can effectively portray ICPRB’s values and mission.
Learn more about the position and how to apply on our Jobs page.
As you may have heard, our friend and colleague, Curtis Dalpra, passed away on March 5, 2023. We would like to thank all of those who sent condolences and memories. It is evident by the outpouring of love and support, that he inspired many people during his four-decade career at ICPRB.
Among his many responsibilities here at ICPRB was the weekly Potomac News Reservoir. We will continue his legacy by sharing news and information from around the basin that informs the public as well as inspires stewardship of the Potomac River.
Walk in the Woods: Let’s be Smart About Winter Salt (April 1 in Gaithersburg, MD)
Stream Cleanup: Rock Creek (April 15 in Frederick, MD)
Walk in the Woods: Frederick Municipal Forest (April 29 near Frederick, MD)
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Find news from around the basin in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir.
What does it take to protect drinking water for the residents of Frederick City?
Join us on April 29 for a hike in the Municipal Forest of the City of Frederick, Md. Our guide is Jenny Willoughby, the Sustainability Manager of Frederick City. Jenny will share her extensive knowledge of the Frederick Municipal Forest and what it takes to sustainably and responsibly manage the city’s source of drinking water. She will talk about the active forest management, the history, and the flora and fauna of the area.
The event is free but registration is requested.
It is with heavy hearts that we report the passing of our friend and colleague, Curtis Dalpra.
Since joining ICPRB in 1981, Curtis has faithfully sent the Potomac News Reservoir newsletter, first in paper form then in electronic form. But today, we pause. We pause the newsletter, but we also pause to take a moment in honor of Curtis. We invite you to pause with us. Maybe take a walk by the river, stop to take a good photo, and throw a ball for your dog.
For 41 years, Curtis championed good stewardship of the Potomac River. Let us all continue that legacy.
We invite you to share memories of him on our Facebook post or send them to us privately. We will share them with his family.
His obituary notes that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: GRREAT Golden Retriever Rescue, Education and Training.
Photo Credit: Jim Cummins
Find news about restoring blue crabs, the C&O Canal, and other areas in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir.
ICPRB has recently published a new white paper, Considerations for Monitoring Microplastics in the Non-Tidal Potomac River. The paper explores the feasibility of a microplastic monitoring program in the nontidal Potomac basin. It was written as part of ICPRB’s 2022 Clean Water Act Section 106 Potomac Basin Water Quality Improvement grant, which included an activity to “assist water suppliers in VA, MD, and DC in developing microplastic sampling and analysis methodologies and conduct field sample collection.”
The ICPRB will virtually hold its first quarter business meeting on March 7, 2023. Commissioners will be updated on ICPRB efforts to enhance drinking water supply resiliency, the successful Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee meeting, and a presentation on the 30th Anniversary of the Colonial Pipeline Spill on the Potomac. The public is invited to view the virtual meeting. Please Contact Us for more information on how to attend.
Join a beautiful spring hike to learn about stream monitoring and what you can do to protect our waterways from excessive winter salt.
ICPRB has recently published a new white paper, Considerations for Monitoring Microplastics in the Non-Tidal Potomac River.
The paper explores the feasibility of a microplastic monitoring program in the nontidal Potomac basin. It was written as part of ICPRB’s 2022 Clean Water Act Section 106 Potomac Basin Water Quality Improvement grant, which included an activity to “assist water suppliers in VA, MD, and DC in developing microplastic sampling and analysis methodologies and conduct field sample collection.”
Section 2 describes considerations for collecting and processing samples for microplastics analysis.
Section 3 provides a brief explanation of analytical methods and quality control recommendations for the detection, quantification, and identification of microplastics.
