Division of Water
Governor Beshear announces $3.3 million federal grant awarded to prevent nonpoint source pollution

Gov. Steve Beshear today announced the awarding of approximately $3.3 million in a federal nonpoint source pollution control grant to 10 communities and organizations around the state for the development of watershed management plans and implementation of nonpoint source pollution controls.

“Protection of our water resources is fundamental to our environment, our economy and good public health,” Gov. Beshear said. “These grants will fund efforts to help control pollution from sediment, pesticides and other substances that run off our land when it rains.”

The projects will be funded under Section 319(h) of the federal Clean Water Act and administered by the Kentucky Division of Water (DOW). The DOW received 22 grant project proposals that underwent a multi-agency ranking process. Of those, 14 were invited to apply for the federal fiscal year 2010 funding. The 10 projects selected for funding must provide 40 percent in matching funds.

Pollution from runoff, or nonpoint source pollution, is the main cause of impairments to streams, lakes and rivers in Kentucky. It results when rainfall or snowmelt moves over and through the ground, picking up loose soil and pollutants along its way. The waterborne pollutants often travel through storm sewers that discharge directly into streams -- bypassing treatment at a municipal water treatment facility.

Examples of nonpoint source pollutants include:

•  Excess fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides from agricultural lands and residential areas.
•  Oil, grease and toxic chemicals from urban runoff.
•  Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crops, forestlands and eroding stream banks.
•  Acid drainage from abandoned coal mines.
•  Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes and faulty septic systems.

Projects selected for funding include the following:

1.  Habitat for Humanity Bowling Green/Warren County Infrastructure Statewide Demonstration
Create an integrated green infrastructure using low-impact development techniques to manage storm water as part of a planned medium density green affordable housing community. Grant recipient: Western Kentucky University, Center for Environmental Education and Sustainability. Federal grant: $391,205. Matching grant: $263,871.
       
2.  Four Rivers Basin Coordinator
The coordinator will work with communities, agencies and businesses to improve water quality and reduce nonpoint source pollution. Grant recipient: Jackson Purchase Foundation Inc. Federal grant: $173,596. Matching grant: $115,731.

3.  Meeting the Demand for Land Management Education
Reprint the Kentucky Forest Landowner Handbook for distribution in Kentucky’s Appalachian counties. Grant recipient: Mountain Association for Community Economic Development. Federal grant: $10,800. Matching grant: $7,200.

4.  Livestock Stewardship BMP Training and Demonstration Project
Install livestock best management practices on the University of Kentucky Princeton Farm to demonstrate innovative ways to reduce nonpoint source pollution. Grant recipient: University of Kentucky, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. Federal grant: $188,814. Matching grant: $126,186.

5.  Rural Community Building Efforts within the Little River Watershed
Establish a model for stakeholder collaboration in watershed management through educational activities in a rural setting to address water quality issues. Grant recipient: Cumberland River Compact. Federal grant: $42,900. Matching grant: $28,600.

6.  Implementation of Green Campus Master Plan on Kenton County School District STEM Campus
Implement a plan developed with a previous 319(h) grant award to design and construct storm water best management practices. Grant recipient: Kenton County Schools. Federal grant: $138,326. Matching grant: $92,217.

7. Dix River Watershed Implementation Project, Phase I
Target the identified water quality pollutants from failing wastewater systems and storm-related runoff. Perform public outreach and education. Grant recipient: City of Danville. Federal grant: $200,460. Matching grant: $133,640.

8.  Woolper Creek Watershed-Based Plan Addressing Hydro-modification
Develop a plan to address water quality impairments and return streams to their designated uses. Grant recipient: Boone County Conservation District. Federal grant: $449,870. Matching grant: $301,247.

9.  Bacon Creek Watershed Plan Implementation
Revise and improve the existing watershed-based plan while promoting implementation of agricultural and residential best management practices. Perform public outreach and education. Grant recipient:  Kentucky Waterways Alliance. Federal grant: $255,953. Matching grant: $170,636.

10.  Brushy Creek Sediment, Habitat and Water Quality Investigation
Build working partnerships in the watershed and develop a water quality data analysis report as a foundation for a Brushy Creek Watershed Plan. Grant recipient:  Pulaski County Conservation District. Federal grant: $487,919. Matching grant: $325,279.

To learn more about nonpoint source pollution and the nonpoint source implementation grant program, go to http://water.ky.gov/nsp/Pages/default.aspx or e-mail james.roe@ky.gov.