V-195 



4. The absence of provisions requiring the compact 

 agency to give preference to public bodies and coopera- 

 tives in the sale of hydroelectric power generated at 

 projects constructed and operated by the agency. 



Because the proposed Potomac compact follows substantially the 

 same approach on each of the above issues, one must conclude 

 that it will encounter similar objections from Federal agencies. 



In addition, however, objections already are being raised to this 

 compact as it is being considered for possible ratification by 

 the State legislatures. This early opposition appears to stem 

 from various local governments and private interests in the basin, 

 and particularly from the West Virginia portion of the basin. 

 Although phrased in a variety of ways, the objections seem basical- 

 ly to reflect the following: (1) that the interests of uostream 

 water users are inadequately protected; (2) that local govern- 

 ments in the basin are subordinated to a too-powerful compact 

 agency; (3) that there is a lack of popular or citizen control 

 over the compact agency; (4) that the agency's regulatory authori- 

 ty over the use of land resources of the basin is too extensive; 

 and (5) that the District of Columbia should not be included as 

 a signatory equal to the basin States. 



