Category:north branch
North Branch of Potomac becomes recreational center
(Source: The Charleston Gazette)By Paul J. Nyden, The Charleston Gazette, W.Va.
Jan. 17–Read the full report here
MORGANTOWN — After decades of pollution, Maryland state agencies have turned the North Branch of the Potomac River into a major recreational area and boon to local economic development.
The North Branch runs along the border between the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and western Maryland.
Downstream Strategies, a Morgantown environmental consulting firm, released a report last month documenting local economic benefits from improving water quality in the river.
During the past 25 years, the North Branch changed from a river “you wouldn’t even want to wade in” to a high quality fishery hosting naturally reproducing trout and bass, the report states.
Improvements came after eight “dosers” were installed in 1992. These facilities add alkaline chemicals to the North Branch and its tributaries to counteract acid mine drainage from abandoned coal mines.
But ongoing remediation projects, initiated by Maryland state agencies, could be threatened within a few years if funding sources evaporate.
Study: fee boost could keep Md. trout river clean
OAKLAND, Md. (AP) – A study concludes that anglers and boaters are willing to pay more to keep the North Branch of the Potomac River running clean.
The $40,000 study by Downstream Strategies of Morgantown, W.Va., was delivered Friday to state regulators by the Maryland State Water Quality Advisory Committee.
Federal, state and Garrett County agencies ordered the report to address an expected loss of government operating funds for eight machines that regularly dispense lime into the river and its tributaries to counteract acid drainage from abandoned coal mines.
Researchers found that river users are willing to pay higher trout stamp fees or donate to a restoration fund to maintain the $321,000 annual cost of the lime dosers.
(Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
OAKLAND, Md. (AP) – A study concludes that anglers and boaters are willing to pay more to keep the North Branch of the Potomac River running clean.
The $40,000 study by Downstream Strategies of Morgantown, W.Va., was delivered Friday to state regulators by the Maryland State Water Quality Advisory Committee.
Federal, state and Garrett County agencies ordered the report to address an expected loss of government operating funds for eight machines that regularly dispense lime into the river and its tributaries to counteract acid drainage from abandoned coal mines.
