POTOMAC RIVER BASIN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ISSUE 1: West Virginia is Getting More than Its Money's Worth Through Its
Membership in the Commission.
West Virginia has received benefits from the Commission membership far exceeding its
financial contribution. The minutes of the Commission reflect a significant nonfinancial
contribution by West Virginia and other Commission members in allocating its resources to
protect the Potomac River Basin. West Virginia has received over $1.9 million in project benefits
from the Commission since 1985. Meanwhile, West Virginia's contributions to the Commission
over the same period totals $373,322. The two major projects include the South Branch Flood
Study where the Commission worked with Grant and Hardy counties and the Corps of Engineers
in identifying methods for protecting the cities of Petersburg and Moorefield from future floods
at a cost of $773,851. The other project was the North Branch Recreation Project where the
Commission helped in correcting the major source of mine drainage and developed recreational
use goals for Jennings Randolph Lake at a cost of $264,114.
ISSUE 2: The Commission has Lost Its Congressional Appropriation.
The Commission has received a Congressional Appropriation of $511,000 for the last
two years. However, due to congressional budget cuts, this appropriation was not made for the
fiscal year 1997 budget. This cut would reduce the Commission's budget by approximately
25%. However, the Commission is currently attempting to have the appropriation reinstated for
fiscal year 1998.