Published: March 27, 2007 09:32 am      

Corps releases mitigation funds

$2.25 million to provide relief from lowered levels of Lake Cumberland

More money is coming the way of the Lake Cumberland region from U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, who announced the release of $2.25 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for mitigation measures concerning the lowered water level of the lake.

Rogers “sought this funding as part of an ongoing approach of working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair Wolf Creek Dam and enable Lake Cumberland to continue to provide economic and environmental benefits to the area.”

The funding will go toward the extension of marina launching ramps, upkeep and enhancement of recreation and parking facilities, retrofitting current structures to accommodate Lake Cumberland staying at 680 feet above sea level for the rest of the year as the Corps of Engineers works to fix the precarious dam.

Cumberland Point, Fall Creek, Waitsboro, Lee's Ford, Conley Bottom, Alligator 2, Jamestown, Girdler Hill Dock, Burnside Island State Park and Lake Cumberland State Park are the ramp sites slated to undergo extension.

“This funding is an important step in the right direction,” said Rep. Rogers. “The Lake Cumberland community is open for business, and I am pleased the Corps is working with us to provide the resources to help ensure that is the case.”

Also, the Fifth District congressman announced that $1.4 million in PRIDE (Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment) funds would be coming to eastern Kentucky to advance the environmental organization’s infrastructure improvement program.

“With this funding, our ongoing campaign to eliminate straight pipes and failing septic systems and provide more of our citizens with safe, sanitary wastewater treatment services can continue,” Rogers said. “The Corps of Engineers has been a valued partner throughout the 10-year history of PRIDE, and I am pleased to see this relationship continue.”

Under the name of the Section 531 Program, the money is given to rural counties, cities and utilities for innovative wastewater treatment projects, sewer line extensions or treatment plant upgrades. The grants cover 75 percent of the project cost, with the remaining 25 percent contributed from the grantee.

All told, PRIDE has invested $116 million to provide sanitary wastewater treatment service to more than 27,000 homes in the region, with Rogers using his status as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee to work for more funding.

“This funding is just one more step in our mission to restore our waterways to their pristine beauty,” said Rogers. “We're working hard to put a new face on the region, and we plan to share it with tourists from all over."