“The State of the Nation’s River report mirrors a lot of the work that was incorporated into the new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and we wanted to have very specific goals and outcomes…The new Agreement really focuses in on what we call smart outcomes – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. The [State of the Nation’s River] Report is patterned in that same way. It looks at the entire ecosystem and makes very specific suggestions on how things can be improved.”

“The Potomac Conservancy and other groups are critical because we need advocates that are informed and can do their research, suggest alternatives, communicate with the public, and coordinate a coherent response among different stakeholders in the community. That is not the sort of thing that can happen on its own.”

“This report appropriately highlights threats to rivers and streams in the Potomac River basin that stem from population growth and land use change. We applaud the report’s identification of smart planning opportunities to counter these threats. The report should stimulate positive action by citizens and governments. Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin was pleased to assist Potomac Conservancy in preparing this report.”

“Bringing Marylanders and Virginians together to do their part in protecting the Potomac River, and therefore Chesapeake Bay, is an exciting step. The simple solutions proposed by the Conservancy will go a long way in protecting and preserving Potomac River water quality.””