Can Rock 'N Roll Save The Bay?

Williamsport hopes rock music can help pay for its watershed costs

Faced with a large price tag on a government mandate, the town of Williamsport is trying to raise money through an all-day rock concert.

Counties and municipalities across the state are trying to figure out how to pay for a new state Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) to help protect the Chesapeake Bay by reducing nitrogen and phosphorus discharges. The plan is expected to cost Washington County and its municipalities $1.1 billion in the next 13 years in stormwater, wastewater and septic measures. Williamsport’s share is an estimated $11.7 million.

Town Clerk/Treasurer Donnie Stotelmyer said he and Councilman Bill G. Green talked about the possibility of having a concert at River Bottom Park in Williamsport. The idea evolved into a fundraiser for WIP costs, with an educational component about the health of the Potomac River, Stotelmyer said.

The concert, called Rockin’ at River Bottom, will be Sept. 15. Five bands are lined up to play. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Stotelmyer said 6,000 tickets will be available. If all goes well, Green said, the town could take in $60,000 to $70,000.

Hmmm, $11.7 million divided by $70,000.  So optimistically, 167 concerts (probably over ten year, since that's how most of these costs seem to be estimated), could pay off one small towns 'Bay Diet' bill. So the answer to the question posed in the title is:

Maybe, but it will take a whole lot of Rock 'N Roll.  Hey, I'm game...




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