1. Careful examination of all Federal and State programs and policies directly or indirectly influential on the landscape, to make certain that their effects are beneficial or their adverse effects are minimized and that they encourage rather than disrupt local efforts to avert blight even while achieving sound growth. Obvious connections exist between good local environments and such things as planning aid programs and grants for parks and recreation areas, but other grant programs, public works, road and utility routings, tax and mortgage practices, the proper or improper design of government facilities, and many other Federal or State activities have relevance in this respect. 2. Dissemination of knowledge about strong, effective planning tools and procedures, as such knowledge accumulates. Of particular Basinwide interest will be the results of the application of Soil Conservation Service watershed programs in controlling erosion in urbanizing stream basins in the Washington metropolitan area, and the lessons learned therefrom. The Geological Survey's investigations of the resources of the Basin are a continuing source of essential information for planning. For example, the studies of the effects of urban development on streams and sediment will be especially pertinent to land-use planning. B. The lifelines of the Basin's landscape, its flowing rivers and streams, badly need protection against rapidly increasing encroachment along their banks, and should be made more available for public use and enjoyment. For these purposes, the following measures are strongly recommended: 1. Prompt legislative authorization, funding, and establishment of a Potomac National River complex consisting of Federal, State, and local components to provide a "green sheath" of varying width for the main stem of the river from Washington to Cumberland, Maryland. The preservation of this portion of the river and its banks, and their accessibility, are clearly of importance and warrant such treatment. The National River, studied and refined in the light of much government and public comment received since its initial mention in the _Potomac Interim Report_, is detailed in the legislative proposal now being considered by Congress. 2. Completion of the long-deferred restoration and improvement of public facilities along the C. & O. Canal, a project which can be begun immediately and will mesh with the Potomac National River proposal, since the Canal will be a part of the proposed River. Certain of the old C. & O. feeder dams should be rehabilitated or rebuilt, sections of the Canal rewatered, and better public access provided.