Division of Compliance Assistance
Initiative Launched to Help Kentucky Sporting Events Reduce Environmental Impacts

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 22, 2011) – The Commonwealth of Kentucky has initiated Sustainable Sporting Events, an effort to help sporting venues enhance the environment and comply with environmental regulations. One of the areas being helped is the horse racing industry.

To facilitate this effort, the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection’s Division of Compliance Assistance (DCA) developed Green Beyond the Turf, a resource guide and workbook to help racetracks assess their environmental opportunities and identify ways to improve the environment and potentially save money. This initiative stems from the KY EXCEL program, Kentucky’s environmental leadership effort that encourages Kentucky businesses, organizations and citizens to become more environmentally sustainable.

“Like all large sporting venues, racetracks face many environmental complexities associated with catering to large crowds,” said Aaron Keatley, deputy commissioner of the Department for Environmental Protection. “The horse racing industry also faces unique challenges associated with managing the horses, facilities and sprawling properties. We believe this program will help these facilities in supporting their environmental stewardship goals.”

 KY EXCEL staff will be available to help racetracks and the horse industry through one-on-one site assessments and training.

 “We recognized the importance, both economically and environmentally, of the horse industry, especially racetracks, to Kentucky. In response, we developed Green Beyond the Turf as a way to encourage racetracks to consider their environmental opportunities, become more efficient and set an example for their patrons, employees and the horse industry as a whole,” said John Eisiminger, KY EXCEL program coordinator.

Green Beyond the Turf is just one element of a larger effort to help the sporting industry in Kentucky realize environmental benefits.

Founded in 2006, KY EXCEL’s mission is to encourage environmental stewardship among Kentucky citizens, businesses and organizations by providing assistance, resources and recognition. Currently, the program has more than 200 members statewide, contributing to over 1,500 voluntary environmental projects.

More information on Sustainable Sporting Events can be found at http://dca.ky.gov/LGGS/Pages/Sustainable-Sporting-Events.aspx or by emailing john.eisiminger@ky.gov.