Project to address nonpoint source pollution

Contact:  Mark York 502-564-3350

COVINGTON, Ky. (April 23, 2008) – Gov. Steve Beshear today presented a $1 million grant to the Banklick Watershed Council for improving water quality and preventing nonpoint source pollution in Banklick Creek in Boone and Kenton counties.

The grant consists of $600,000 in funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and $400,000 in nonfederal matching funds.

Gov. Beshear said the grant will be vital for making improvements to Banklick Creek through a watershed-based plan.

“The entire length of Banklick Creek has been listed as the first priority stream by the state Division of Water,” Beshear said. “The watershed-based plan will provide the foundation for identifying projects necessary to achieve the ultimate goal of improved water quality in Banklick Creek.”

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is the primary contributor to water pollution in Kentucky, accounting for approximately two-thirds of water quality impairments in the state’s streams and lakes. Unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters and even underground aquifers.

The council will establish a comprehensive watershed-based plan that identifies the sources of pollution impacting the creek and projects needed to improve its water quality.

In 1987 the federal Clean Water Act amendments created a national program to control NPS pollution. Each year Kentucky receives up to $3.5 million in federal funds for watershed restoration projects and watershed implementation plan development. Funds can be used to pay for up to 60 percent of the total cost for each project.

The Kentucky Division of Water is responsible for administering the program. Further information about the program is available at http://water.ky.gov/publicassistance/funding/nps.