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Call for Presenters–2023 Potomac River Conference: One River’s Perspective on a Changing Climate

March 21, 2023

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.

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.

Join us for a Stream Cleanup in Frederick, MD

March 17, 2023

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 Hiring!

March 17, 2023

ICPRB is hiring for a Communications Director position.

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.

Media from around the basin – March 16, 2023

March 16, 2023

Continuing Curtis’ Legacy

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.

Upcoming ICPRB Events

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.

Join us for a Walk in the Woods: Frederick Municipal Forest

March 10, 2023

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.

Please visit the Eventbrite site to register.

The Potomac has lost a champion.

March 8, 2023

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

Media from around the Basin — March 3, 2023

March 2, 2023

Find news about restoring blue crabs, the C&O Canal, and other areas in this week’s Potomac News Reservoir.

ICPRB News

Considerations for Monitoring Microplastics in the Non-Tidal Potomac River

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.”

ICPRB Business Meeting on March 7, 2023

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.

April 1: Walk in the Woods: Let’s be Smart About Winter Salt

Join a beautiful spring hike to learn about stream monitoring and what you can do to protect our waterways from excessive winter salt.

New Publication: Considerations for Monitoring Microplastics in the Non-Tidal Potomac River

March 1, 2023

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.

Media from around the Basin — February 23, 2023

February 23, 2023

ICPRB Business Meeting on March 7, 2023

April 1: Walk in the Woods: Let’s be Smart About Winter Salt

Join a beautiful spring hike to learn about stream monitoring and what you can do to protect our waterways from excessive winter salt.

Find news about the drinking water partnership annual report, water infrastructure, and more in the Potomac News Reservoir.

Media from around the Basin — February 16, 2023

February 16, 2023

Good News for the Bay

New data shows an improvement in stream health across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

A popular song in the hit Broadway show, Rent, asks how to measure a year. In minutes? In moments? A recent report from the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) explores how scientists can measure stream health. By macroinvertebrates? By miles? The experts at the Chesapeake Bay Program think so. Chessie BIBI, a data-tracking tool used to calculate the health of small- to medium-sized streams, suggests a roughly 6 percent improvement in stream health in the Bay watershed.

The Chesapeake Basin-wide Index of Biotic Integrity, known in the water-world as Chessie BIBI, is a multi-metric index calculated from the numbers and types of small animals, called macroinvertebrates, that live in free-flowing (non-tidal) streams of the Bay watershed. The index relies on data collected by state, federal, county, and volunteer monitoring programs to track the number of “healthy” stream miles in the region from year to year. Chessie BIBI is a long-term ICPRB evaluation that provides water quality assessment for the Potomac basin and the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

According to the report, there are many ways to measure stream health. Chessie BIBI is just one of them, but it is a good overall indication of stream health across the Bay watershed. Dr. Buchanan says that Chessie BIBI can be used as a management tool to track progress across jurisdictional boundaries and towards the goals set out in the Bay Agreement.

Upcoming ICPRB Business Meeting on March 7, 2023

Find more news about Chessie BIBI, stream health, and PFAS in the Potomac News Reservoir.