Chair: Keith R. Gentzler, Pennsylvania
Maryland members appointed by Governor: James H. Gilford, Ph.D.; George H. Shoemaker.
Alternates: John P. Bowling; Minny Pohlmann; Peter S. Tinsley. Terms expire 1997.
Ex officio: Parris N. Glendening, Governor
Herbert M. Sachs, Executive Director
6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 300
Rockville, MD 20852 - 3903
(301) 984-1908
fax: (301) 984-5841
The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin is an agency of those jurisdictions comprising the Potomac River drainage basin. Established by federal law in 1940 (amended in 1970; P.L. 91-407), the Commission operates under the Potomac Valley Conservancy District Compact. Maryland ratified the Compact in 1939 (Chapter 320, Acts of 1939; Chapter 29, Acts of 1960).
The Commission has jurisdiction over the Potomac Valley Conservancy District, which consists of all of the area drained by the Potomac River and its tributories. A nonregulatory agency, the Commission recommends ways to stop stream pollution and conserve and wisely use water and associated land resources in the District. The Commission's Cooperative Water Supply Operations Section provides technical and managerial services to coordinate drought-related operations of the major public water supply utilities of Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia in the Washington Metropolitan Area (Water Supply Coordination Agreement of July 22, 1982).
The Commission is composed of representatives of the five signatory jurisdictions: Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Participating in the Commission, the United States government is not a signatory member. Representatives from Maryland include the Governor and two residents of the Potomac River Drainage Basin, who are appointed by the Governor for two-year terms. The Commission is financed by appropriations from each member jurisdiction as well as by grants and contracts (Code Environment Article, secs. 5-303, 5-304).
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