The ICPRB has hired Rick Masters as its new General Counsel to replace long-time General Counsel Robert Bolle who retired at the end of 2023. Mr. Masters has engaged in extensive research and writing in the field of interstate compacts, including co-authoring the largest compilation of laws and commentary on the subject published by the American Bar Association in 2016 entitled “The Evolving Law and Use of Interstate Compacts (2nd Edition).” Mr. Masters also served for over 20 years as Special Counsel to the National Center for Interstate Compacts and authored the 2019 Legal Assessment of the Great Lakes Compact Commission.
Snow is in the forecast. When you work in water resources in the Potomac River watershed, snow is a double-edged sword.
On one hand, slowly melting snow refills our depleted groundwater, which is especially important after our dry 2023.
On the other hand, salt added to roads and sidewalks will run into our waterways, putting our drinking water, aquatic life, and infrastructure at risk. Our long history of winter salt use has increased the chloride levels in the Potomac River by 10-fold over the past 80 years.
Public safety is always the number one priority. However, using smart winter salting practices will ensure safety and reduce the amount of salt that ends up in our waterways.
Here’s what you can do:
❄️ Shovel First
🧂 Use Less Salt
🧹 After the storm, sweep it up and reuse it next time!
Let’s reduce our winter salt use to protect our drinking water, fish, and infrastructure! MWCOG has more tips and tricks for being Winter Salt Smart. #saltsmart
A celebration of field work
In 2023, ICPRB staff accomplished a variety of field activities, including monitoring for microplastics in Washington, D.C., tracking underground streams in the Cacapon River, and tagging and tracking fish in the North Branch Potomac. Stay tuned in 2024 for the results of these studies!
State parks across the Potomac River watershed are open the first day of the year to celebrate the annual tradition of a First Day Hike. Many parks offer ranger-led hikes and even special stickers to celebrate the occasion. The fun events provide an alternative way to ring in the new year.
First Day Hikes encourage people to start the year off right by getting outside, getting exercise, and experiencing the natural world.
After three decades of service to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, Robert “Bob” Bolle is retiring as General Counsel. We would like to thank him for his wise counsel through so many years.
At the December 15, 2023 business meeting, ICPRB Commissioners voted to honor Mr. Bolle with the following Resolution of Appreciation.
Resolution of Appreciation for Service of Robert L. Bolle
Let it be known, Robert L. Bolle held a distinguished legal career, including service as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Georgetown University Law Center and as the Attorney-Advisor in the office of Legislative Counsel at the United States Department of the Treasury.
Whereas Mr. Bolle served as General Counsel to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin from April 1, 1992 through October 25, 2023; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle, during his tenure, served as the Acting Executive Director in 1999; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle brought to the Commission his skills as a knowledgeable, legal practitioner; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle ensured the Commission stayed within proper and permissible legal boundaries; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle instituted the parental leave allowance for the benefit of all Commission staff; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle was an early and enthusiastic supporter of the Commission joining the Interstate Council on Water Policy where it continues to be a leading member; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle promulgated and guided the passing of the 1996 Jennings Randolph Lake Project Compact, allowing for interstate management of Jenning Randolph Reservoir; and
Whereas Mr. Bolle shared his passion for protecting and preserving the Potomac River and its related resources through sound legal advice, now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that at its business meeting on December 15, 2023, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin honors and commends Robert “Bob” Bolle for his outstanding service and expresses its appreciation for his many contributions to the success of the Commission.
The River Report – No Water Supply Outlook for January
Things are turning around.
The river’s flow is looking up. Flows are no longer following the trend of pre-drought years and the NWS Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center is predicting additional heavy rain next week.
As of December 19th, the basin received 2.9 inches of rain, which exceeds the average by 1.1 inches for the month. Nevertheless, there is still a substantial 8.1-inch deficit for the year.
The extreme drought (D3) coverage cleared up in late November and conditions seem to be improving. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports recent rainfall reduced Potomac basin drought coverage from 89% on December 12 to 73% a week later. The Shenandoah area maintains a 15% severe drought (D2) status, but the rest of the basin improved, with moderate drought (D1) dropping from 41% to 27% in a week. The remaining basin area is roughly 30% abnormally dry (D0), but these boundaries are receding from the lower basin and Pennsylvania regions, returning them to normal conditions.
After releasing a Water Supply Outlook in November and December, ICPRB’s CO-OP staff have decided the monthly report will return to its normal schedule next year. Unless conditions deteriorate, the report will be released monthly from April through October, 2024.
ICPRB Commissioners Approve DEIJ Statement
Diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (referred to collectively as DEIJ) has been an ongoing journey at ICPRB. It has been a learning process to which we have committed ourselves in order to better serve and represent all residents of the Potomac basin.
At last week’s quarterly meeting, ICPRB Commissioners officially approved a policy statement on diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. Special thanks goes to the DEIJ Committee of the Commissioners for their work on this statement, which will guide all aspects of our work.
We are seeking an organized and motivated individual with strong attention to detail to serve as the Habitat and Living Resources Data Manager alongside ICPRB’s Water Quality Data Manager. This position will be offsite at the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) offices in Annapolis, MD with occasional travel to ICPRB headquarters in Rockville, MD. The Habitat and Living Resources Data Manager is responsible for maintaining, designing, and building relational databases for the CBP, verifying and assuring data quality, and facilitating data analysis efforts of the CBP. Examples of datasets you will work with include plankton, benthic macroinvertebrates, fish, and wildlife.
ICPRB has openings for two interns for the spring and summer semesters of 2024. These are paid, part-time, temporary positions with flexible working hours. Applications are encouraged from any undergraduate juniors or seniors majoring in a relevant environmental science or engineering field and graduate students majoring in environmental science, environmental engineering, water resources or a related field. Applications are due by January 12, 2024.
The River Report – December rain is already above average, but is it enough?
Recent rain brought us 0.5 inches above our typical amount for this time in December. We are still a significant 7.2 inches below average for the past 12 months.
River levels are increasing. The flow is still below the 50th percentile. With fingers crossed it will stay above our drought monitoring threshold through the holidays.
On Monday, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality expanded the number of counties under drought watch advisory to 64, up from 55 a couple weeks earlier.
According to the recent U.S. Drought Monitor report, 89% of the basin is experiencing drought conditions. On the positive side, the area in “Severe Drought” has decreased since the previous report.
Some areas, but not all, are downgrading from mandatory to voluntary water restrictions. This jurisdiction-specific approach is sometimes due to the state of their water source or a planning document agreement.
WEBINAR: Agricultural Impacts on Water Quality and Funding Opportunities to Mitigate Those Impacts
Join ICPRB at noon on January 19 for our first webinar of 2024!
The webinar focuses on agricultural impacts on water quality in the Potomac basin and funding opportunities to mitigate these effects. Olivia Devereux, M.S. of Devereux Consulting will share water quality impacts from agriculture in the Potomac basin. Mark Masters and Annica McGuirk of the the National Association of Conservation Districts will share regional funding sources for agricultural practices. Pam Kenel of Loudoun Water will be moderating.
We are hiring for summer internship positions
ICPRB has openings for two interns for the spring and summer semesters of 2024. These are paid, part-time, temporary positions with flexible working hours. Applications are encouraged from any undergraduate juniors or seniors majoring in a relevant environmental science or engineering field and graduate students majoring in environmental science, environmental engineering, water resources or a related field. Applications are due by January 12, 2024.
The District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) will be publishing a weekly fishing report starting in the new year. They are on the look out for anglers who would like provide information about fishing conditions in the District. If interested, please contact Dillon Waters at DOEE. Additionally, you can submit fishing photos from the District to fishandwildlife.photos@dc.gov. A link to signup to receive the newsletter will be included in the Potomac News Reservoir as soon as it is available.
The River Report – December’s Water Supply Outlook
The river’s flow is, once again, flirting with our drought monitoring threshold of 2,000 cubic feet per second at the USGS gage at Point of Rocks.
ICPRB’s CO-OP staff have published a December Water Supply Outlook. The monthly report, typically only published April to October, has been continued due to the persistent dry conditions.
Here are some key passages…
💧 CO-OP suspended Daily #DroughtMonitoring on November 22 due to rising river levels.
💧 While recent rainfall has temporarily relieved dry conditions, it has not been enough to overcome the deficits observed in soil moisture, streamflow, and groundwater levels.
💧 Currently, the basin is grappling with a range of dry conditions, with 33% classified as abnormally dry, 28% as moderate drought, and 30% as severe drought.
💧 Over the past 12 months, there has been an approximate 8-inch rainfall deficit compared to average.
But it’s not all doom and gloom…
💧 Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center’ December outlook suggests “leaning above” normal temperatures and precipitation in the basin.
💧 The Palmer Drought Severity Index, depicts moderate to severe drought conditions in the Potomac basin, which is an improvement from the extreme drought conditions reported in last month’s Water Supply Outlook.
ICPRB is seeking a Habitat and Living Resources Data Manager to work alongside ICPRB’s Water Quality Data Manager. This position will be offsite at the Chesapeake Bay Program offices in Annapolis, MD.
The Water Supply Outlook is a monthly report that looks at the overall drought conditions in the Potomac River basin. It is typically only published during the drier season between April and October. However, due to persistent dry conditions, staff in ICPRB’s Section for Cooperative Water Supply Operations on the Potomac (CO-OP) have published additional reports in November and December. While recent rainfall has temporarily relieved dry conditions, it has not been enough to overcome the deficits observed in soil moisture, streamflow, and groundwater levels.
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