FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 6, 2003)- A power cooperative, a water service and an equine waste management project received Environmental Excellence Awards last week. The Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet (NREPC) presented 19 such honors during the Governor’s Conference on the Environment in Lexington on Oct. 27.

The central Kentucky area winners were:

• Thoroughbred Resource Conservation and Development Council
• Georgetown Municipal Water and Sewer Service
• Eastern Kentucky Power Cooperative

The Environmental Excellence Award for Community Environmental Leadership was awarded to the Thoroughbred Resource Conservation and Development Council for improving equine waste management through a best management practice demonstration project. The purpose of the project was to promote practical options for muck disposal that would not degrade Kentucky’s water quality. The project demonstrated on-farm composting of muck on two farms and a roll-baling technology for muck removal on two farms. Educational components included a project brochure, a video, field days and news articles.

The NREPC issued a new award this year for outstanding efforts in the promotion, education and implementation of measures to protect a public drinking water supply. The Environmental Excellence Award for Drinking Water Supply Protection went to the Georgetown Municipal Water and Sewer Service. Because the Georgetown water supply is vulnerable to groundwater pollution, the Royal Spring Water Supply Protection Committee was formed and became responsible for developing a wellhead protection plan. It also worked to educate planning and zoning entities about the vulnerability of the aquifer and the importance of protecting it. Source water protection signs were also erected at designated recharge areas, and incentives were offered to educate the local community about protecting the area.

Eastern Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKP) received the Environmental Excellence Award for Environmental Education. EKP is becoming well known for its environmental education programs that target Kentucky school children as well as the general public. EKP biologists take natural history information learned from field studies and create programs that can be taught at Kentucky schools and civic organizations. Partnering with Touchtone Energy, EKP has harvested and packaged native seeds to distribute throughout Kentucky and also producing an Earth Day poster that celebrates Kentucky’s native plants and animals.

Environmental Excellence Awards are presented annually and nominations are solicited from citizens and businesses across the state.