NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION; PRESENTATION ON WATER, SEWERAGE, AND HOUSING BY THE MWCOG

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86-00244R000100040001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 21, 1999
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: October 11, 1972
• Content Type: MFR

D R Ap ir6ved RW&Wease 2002/01/08: CIA-RDP86-00244EJD0100040001-1
11 OCT 1972
SUBJECT : National Capital Planning Commission; Presentation on
Water, Sewerage, and Housing by the MWCOG
REFERENCE: Memo dtd to DD/S fm AD/L, Subject: Metropolitan
Washington Council of Government Reports
1. The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) meeting on
5 October 1972, Agenda Item /2 at 0809 local, had a presentation given
by representatives of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
(MWCOG) on the subjects of (1) water and sewerage and (2) housing.
of the Building Planning Staff, RECD/OL, attended these
hearings and made extraneous notes which are outlined here.
2. The NCPC Staff stated that these reports had been seen earlier
but that comments were withheld, and no action was taken because the
Draft did not contain the graphs, charts, and pictures. It was felt,
at the earlier meeting, that the reports were incomplete and difficult
to interpret without these visual aids. It was also stated that the
NCPC is usually 8-10 months behind in the review of this sort of study.
This accounts, in part, for the lack of timeliness (1971-1972) of the
reports.
3. Martin Rody of the Commi3sion Staff introduced Mr. Markel of
the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Staff. He was the
princilJ officer in charge of the planning and preparation of the
Water and Sewerage Plan and Program - 1971-72. Mr. Markel summarized
Approved For Release 2002/01/08 : CIA-RDP86-00244R000100040001-1
 Approved For$elease 2002/01/08 : CIA-RDP86-0024'000100040001-1
SUBJECT: National Capital Planning Commission; Presentation on Water,
Sewerage, and Housing by the MWCOG
the content of the report (booklet page i) much as it was originally
written. Some of the additional comments he made were as follows:
a. MWCOG is an A-95 consultant on water and sewerage and they
have application review responsibility for Blue Plains and Occoquan
treatment facilities. It was stated that, in the past, problems
arising from these A-95 reviews have been due to emphasis on homes
and land use in general. It appears that the 4ew emphasis will
combine more of the Environmental Protection Agency thinking on
water quality, and COG will be working closely with EPA on this
change in direction.
b. Recently, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., pledged
in a signed resolution to come-up-with a meaningful water resource
program. A task force of COG has been set up to update present
information on this subject to coincide with the resolution.
c. Chapter V of booklet, "Regional Water and Sewerage Program"
contains the priority system which COG wants to emphasize as the
heart of the water and sewerage planning for the Metro region. In
A-95 evaluations, these priority listings are a "bible" for COG
planners.
4. Mr. Charles C. Johnson, member of the Commission, asked, "What
affect will new water quality legislation before Congress have on the
COG proposals?" Mr. Markel answered that some drastic changes will
2
Approved For Release 2002/01/08 : CIA-RDP86-00244R000100040001-1
 Approved FoQRelease 2002/01/08 : CIA-RDP86-0024 000100040001-1
SUBJECT: National Capital Planning Commission; Presentation on Water,
Sewerage, and Housing by the MWCOG
be made due to the new water quality guidelines being legislated.
Present standards are considerably lower than EPA proposals in the
legislation before Congress.
5. "Who will enforce these new guidelines on water quality?"
was asked by Mr. Johnson. Answer - "Agencies such as Virginia State
Water Control Board and other state and local bodies will be respon-
sible for the enforcement of new/present laws."
6. "What is the impact of this (overall COG proposal) plan on
HUD, EPA, and COG?" `The plan develops certain alternatives, more
clearly defined and qualified for each body working with the problems
on water and sewerage." "Is this not a plan for the communities as
against a general Metro idea?" "That is not our (COG's) intention;
but since A-95 reviews have to be made to secure Federal funds, there
is a sense of control (by COG) on these proposals. The intention,
naturally, is to have the smaller entities control their own destinies
in whatever way they desire - within certain general guidelines."
7. "Did COG develop this plan on their own?" "No. The Regional
Planning Committee of COG with consultation of elected officials and
civic association leaders (15 members). They did not agree on everything
but they stressed unanimous approval of the package." Chairman Reifel:
"Generally, will there be enough water in the foreseeable future?"
"Upstream regulations will help and assure us to some degree that we
will have enough water. Devices in houses may help to economize the
Approved For Release 2002/01/08 :CIA-RDP86-00244R000100040001-1
 Approved For R *;ease 2002/01/08 : CIA-RDP86-0024410100040001-1
SUBJECT: National Capital Planning Commission; Presentation on Water,
Sewerage, and Housing by the MWCOG
use (payment as well) of water. EPA has models on water consumption,
storm water runoff (where there is no storm sewer but where water is
allowed to run off into the ground and recycle), and water control (mecha
nisms of different types). There also should be upstream storage of
water - This is the official position of COG."
8. Capital improvement projects have an impact on water (and
sewerage) in the region. Regional priorities have to be sold. Emergency
interconnects on/for water have not been made between the various units
which have water. This should be done soonest to insure adequate water
for those areas which may have catastrophic droughts or disast4rous
storms, etc.
9. Water resources management has to be reemphasized.
10. Mr. Edward Hrom nik spoke on the comments from Federal agencies
on the proposals set out by COG. 75 agencies had been contacted and
there were 14 replies (ours was 1 of these). All replies were useful
and are to be incorporated into COG's follow-on reporting. The De-
partment of Defense and Corps of Engineers sent in detailed (multi-page)
reports. There was no report from Environmental Protection Agency.
(Mr. Johnson commented that they should be asked again - "They have
$2 billion for this kind of project. Get after them to reply and1in depth!")
Mr. Conrad, Executive Director, explained that EPA gets its opportunities
to comment at the A-95 review level.'
Approved For Release 2002/01/08 : CIA-RDP86-00244R000100040001-1
 Approved For Wease 2002/01/08 : CIA-RDP86-00244WO100040001-1
SUBJECT: National Capital Planning Commission; Presentation on Water,
Sewerage, and Housing by the MWCOG
11. Executive Director (Staff) comments on the proposal by COG
were read by Mr. Rody of the Staff. Emphasis was made on addressing
the water quality in the Potomac. Another item was that the report
does not give enough emphasis to/on the amount of raw water available
to the Washington area. The Potomac can supply around 600,000,000
gallons per day and consumption runs approximately 475,000,000 gallons
per day. This supply of water will be okay until 1976 when it is
estimated that the Metro region will require in excess of 630,000,000
gallons per day. This was stated as a "crises" situation, and NCPC
staff feels that the COG is too casual in their report.
12. There are also critical capacities in the sewerage treatment
facilities.
13. Pollution of the Potomac has to be abated as soon as possible.
14. Executive Order 11507 states in part that "a tie-in with the
local sewer system must be made whenever possible." This will avoid
possible mismanagement of the total system through the requirement
that each activity maintain a degree of the ultimate handling and treat-
ment required in the region.
15. An area-wide base plan is needed,.- dollars supplied for
water resource management.
16. Mr. Thiry mentioned that Seneca Dam was a real problem and
should have more priority than report indicates. Mentioned that Corps
of Engineers should have sent in a report on water - "they control the
whole thing!" He also mentioned that the Bloomington Reservoir has to
be programmed arweek in advance to get any water from it Johnson -
Approved For Release 2002/01/08 : CIA-RDP86-00244R0001d0040001-1h
5
 Approved For Release 2002/01/08 : CIA-RDP86-00244R000100040001-1
Nave *4W
SUBJECT: National Capital Planning Commission; Presentation on Water,
Sewerage, and Housing by the MWCOG
"Is the plan going to do anything about the quality of water in the
Potomac? When will I be able to swim in the river, and when can we
plant and feed the river with healthy, living creatures?" Answer -
"Water quality standards are referred to in the report (not specifically
mentioned). If guidelines are followed, the water quality should im-
prove.
17. Johnson - "If I wanted a summary and evaluation of other
agencies, could I get them direct if I needed them? What does COG
think about the water situation?" Answer by COG - "COG has not actually
become involved in technical evaluation of water qualityt"
18. Johnson - "How about the recycling of water? Has anything
developed so that this is near reality?" COG - "Mentioned in report
but not discussed in detail."
19. Johnson - "Well, we have learned that the future may lead
us to the point where we put wastewater back into the land - into
nature's channels of control - get rid of sewers, let water (sewer
and rain) run back into recycling systems for reuse. Congress is
talking about these things. Does your report speak of this?"
One of the ex-officio members spoke here on how Montgomery County
has passed a 4-year plan to recycle pure water back into the Potomac.
"This should be a goal for the Metro!"
20. The Corps of Engineers is planning to recycle water three
times and return for drinking in the Metro region (no timing mentioned).
Approved For Release 2002/01/08 !CIA-RDP86-00244R000100040001-1
 Approved For Please 2002/01/08 : CIA-RDP86-00244Rfit10100040001-1
SUBJECT: National Capital Planning Commission; Presentation on Water,
Sewerage, and Housing by the MWCOG
21. The report was accepted with the change to include Seneca
Dam problem by the Commission.
22. The speaker on the "Housing Policies and Programs for
Metropolitan Washington - 1971" was Mary Holbein of COG. (She spoke
to me later and advised that her latest report would be available
around December 1972 or January 1973. She asked us to call her -
223-6800, x334.) This summary was shorter and more directly to the
point. The totality of her statement might be written out as a one-
liner. We do need housing for the lower income people of the Metro
region, and it is not all that available. Her group has been active
since 1967. 50 people - government and civic groups do the work of
compiling data and work to bring about suggestions for solutions.
She mentioned that a "common thread throughout the report" was the
"goal" or, at least, a "desired end result" would be to have a decent
home for every person who wants one. Cost factors, relocathn-problems,
resources for construction of new or rebuilding of old homes, and
co-location with job opportunities were all discussed. It was noted
that in 1962, 62 percent of the job opportunites were in D.C.; and in
1972, this figure was reduced to only 45 percent.
23. In terms of priorities, the "COG Housing Staff" has several
areas of concern:
Approved For Release 2002/01/08 : CIA-RDP86-00244R000100040001-1
 Approved For )lease 2002/01/08: CIA-RDP86-0024400100040001-1
SUBJECT: National Capital Planning Commission; Presentation on Water,
Sewerage, and Housing by the MWCOG
a. Supply of homes.
b. Opportunity to buy or rent (fair share formula - by
county, etc., enters into picture here).
c. Cost of homes.
(1) Industrial housing was discussed (one area de-
velopment underway and two-three others planned).
(2) Builder and Sponsor Committee.
(3) HUD Section 235 - Home Owner Program - few in the
area qualify because of cost of homes.
(4) Close monitoring of Federal projects (where new
or enlarged development to take place). GSA guidelines on
relocation were mentioned as important consideration in
Federal employee dispersals.
(5) Race and class distinction monitored.
(6) Bring local jurisdictions into line with HUD
Regulations - goal of COG.
(7) Abuses (by real estate people) in housing not as
bad locally as they are nationally. This is due to the
work of citizens and governmental units.
(8) Housing management. There's a course to be given
sometime this fall by COG.
(9) Landlord/Tenant leases.
8
Approved For Release 2002/01/08 : CIA-RDP86-00244R000100040001-1
 Approved For lease 2002/01/08 : CIA-RDP86-00244+1ie00100040001-1
SUBJECT: National Capital Planning Commission; Presentation on Water,
Sewerage, and Housing by the MWCOG
(a) Arlington County has first law in the region
to cover this.
(b) Montgomery County government is. in a squabble
which may kill their efforts to establish a commission.
24. Mr. Johnson - "Misinterpretation of pages 38-39 - Was
housing adequate in 1960? If not, it should be so stated!" MAP Holbein
"No, it was not. Thank you!"
25. Mr. Johnson - "In sheer numbers, does Metro have a shortage
of housing and doesn't this cover every economic bracket - high and
low?" MI. Holbein - "Yes, though the low-income has very little con-
trol over his economic status and can't change things."
26. Executive Director's Recommendations (Mr. Rody)
a. Residence Division - lacks detailed analysis of needs
of locality.
b. Deficiencies in Environment - suitability of housing for
Federal employees is also true of all other (private sector)
employees who work and want to live in the Metro region.
c. Relationships of Housing to Transportation - not too
well spelled out and should be better explained in later reports.
d. Supply of Housing - Fair share formula and other problems,
not enough detail.
27. Mr. Thiry (Prince George's County) - Nothing about new towns
in COG report.
Approved For Release 2002/01/08 : 9;IA-RDP86-00244R000100040001-1
 Approved For Lease 2002/01/08 : CIA-RDP86-00244FW60100040001-1
SUBJECT: National Capital Planning Commission; Presentation on Water,
Sewerage, and Housing by the MWCOG
28. Mr. Reifel - Department of Defense has ways of supplying
information on housing needed for military employees. He insisted,
as did others on the Commission, that (department by department) they
should be forced to supply reports. Lawyer, when asked if NCPC could
sue them for information, said that would be discussed in an executive
session.
29. Staff again - Metro Wide Corporation to work on are housing
needs mentioned as a possible solution. In Metro, 50,000 units need
replacement or repair, primarily in D.C.
30. Mr. Johnson objected to the Metro Wide Corporation - doesn't
have his support.
3]. On a vote, with Metro Wide Corporation eliminated, the
Executive Director's Report, COG's Housing Report for Mettopolitan
Washington - 1971, was accepted.
Approved For Release 2002/01/08 : CIA-RDP86-00244R000100040001-1
10