Kentucky Waterways Alliance Inc

TO PROTECT, RESTORE AND CELEBRATE THE WATERWAYS OF KENTUCKY.

THE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PROTECTS AND RESTORES WATERWAYS THROUGH A PLANNING PROCESS THAT INCLUDES LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS AND REGULATORY AGENCIES SUCH AS THE KY DIVISION OF WATER. IN 2021, KWA CONTINUED OUR WATERSHED WORK IN THE RED RIVER GORGE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FRIENDS OF RED RIVER AND THE US FOREST SERVICE. WE REPLACED SEPTIC SYSTEMS THAT WERE LEAKING INTO THE RIVER, CLEANED UP TRASH AND TIRES IN THE RIVER, EDUCATED LOCAL STUDENTS AND ADULTS, AND ENGAGED THE COMMUNITY IN THE WILD & SCENIC RED RIVER FESTIVAL. WE ALSO HAVE SUPPORTED THE BEARGRASS CREEK ALLIANCE, ORGANIZING MEETINGS, HOSTING CLEANUPS, AND PARTICIPATING IN THE WATERSHED PLAN WITH THE LOUISVILLE METROPOLITAN SEWER DISTRICT. WE SUPPORT THE SALT RIVER AND GREEN RIVER WATERSHED WATCH GROUPS, AS WELL AS OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK TO PROTECT AND RESTORE WATERWAYS ACROSS THE STATE.

THE WATER POLICY PROGRAM IS OUR ADVOCACY PROGRAM IN WHICH KWA MAKES THE CASE FOR EFFECTIVE REGULATIONS THAT PROTECT WATERWAYS IN KENTUCKY AND WE PUBLICIZE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS TO OUR MEMBERS. IN 2021, WE SPOKE OUT ON A RANGE OF NATIONAL ISSUES, INCLUDING OPPOSING EFFORTS TO WEAKEN THE CLEAN WATER ACT PROTECTIONS FOR SMALL STREAMS AND WETLANDS AND IN FAVOR OF THE USE OF NATURAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR FLOOD MANAGEMENT. KWA ALSO PARTICIPATED IN EFFORTS TO ATTRACT FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE OHIO AND MISSISSIPI RIVERS.

THE KENTUCKY AQUATIC RESOURCE FUND (KARF) IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN KWA AND THE US FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE WHICH MANAGES AND DISBURSES FUNDS THAT PROTECT AND RESTORE THE HABITAT OF THREATENED AND ENDANGERED AQUATIC WILDLIFE. IN 2021, KARF FUNDED OVER 3 MILLION OF PROJECTS. NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE: DEMOLITION OF GREEN RIVER LOCK AND DAM 5 (PARTIALLY COMPLETED), STREAM RESTORATION PROJECTS IN PULASKI, MENIFEE, LINCOLN, AND ROWAN COUNTIES; PURCHASED MUSSEL PROPAGATION EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOLLUSK CONSERVATION CENTER; CAPTIVE BREEDING PROGRAM FOR DARTERS; AND SURVEYS FOR ENDANGERED FRESHWATER MUSSELS.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - SPONSOR RIVER CLEANUPS, RIVER RECREATIONAL PADDLE EVENTS. AND OTHER ACTIVITIES TO HELP CLEANUP AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE BEAUTY AND IMPORTANCE OF OUR WATERWAYS. DEVELOPED AN ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM TO USE VISUAL ART TO CONVEY THE ISSUES AROUND RIVER CLEANUP AND POLLUTION. OUTREACH TO MINORITY-LED GROUPS AND COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO REACH NEW AND DIVERSE AUDIENCES WITH AUTHENTIC ENGAGEMENT.