Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
Governor Fletcher announces disbursement of $181,437 in cost-share funds to conservation districts

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 7, 2007) - Governor Ernie Fletcher today announced that the Kentucky Division of Conservation (DOC) disbursed $181,437 to local conservation districts in February.

The cost-share funds were awarded in 14 counties for "best management practices" that serve to reduce water, land or air pollution caused by agricultural waste. Practices include:

Covered stack pads for manure, creating manure holding ponds, and poultry and livestock waste composting facilities.

Establishing rotational grazing systems, which enable better erosion control and protect surface and ground water from nonpoint-source pollution.

Reducing erosion, soil degradation and pollution caused by heavy agricultural use and concentrated livestock traffic.

Stabilizing stream banks and cleaning up sinkholes.

"These grants are important to our farmers and also to the protection and conservation of our natural resources," Governor Fletcher said.

DOC, an agency of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, administers the funds on behalf of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, which oversees the Kentucky Soil Erosion and Water Quality Cost Share Program.