BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced more than $1 million in grant assistance for green infrastructure projects.
According to the official press release, funds from the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant (OSG) Program will be used to address the infrastructure needs of local governments for combined sewer overflows (CSOs), sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and other stormwater management projects, like green infrastructure.
Projects such as rain gardens, planter boxes, green roofs, and permeable pavements help sewer overflow and address stormwater needs in rural or disadvantaged communities throughout the state.
Priority was given to rural or financially distressed communities, requiring zero match from those that qualify, and on projects that utilize green infrastructure or nature-based solutions.
“Team Kentucky is meeting health and environmental challenges head-on with innovative and sustainable solutions that support our communities,” Gov. Beshear said in a press release. “We’re looking at a new Kentucky home, meeting the needs of our people while being mindful of our environment and the world we leave for future generations.”
Green infrastructure makes use of plant or soil systems, permeable surfaces, stormwater harvest, and reuse, or landscaping to manage stormwater and reduce flows to sewer systems or to surface waters. It provides a multitude of benefits, including cleaner water, flood protection, increased recreational spaces, and diverse habitat for wildlife.
Unmanaged stormwater can collect pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment, and convey them to nearby waterways. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater in combined sewers, stormwater can also contribute to combined sewer overflows during heavy storm events, according to the press release.
“Kentucky is seeing an increasing number of heavy rain events,” said Rebecca Goodman, secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet in a press release. “Stormwater runoff has become a significant source of water pollution that can be a public health concern. This new grant program will provide funding for critical stormwater infrastructure projects in areas that need it the most.”
The city of Salt Lick will receive $300,000 for the Green Sinks Nature-Based Flood Mitigation. The goal will be to engineer and design green sinks as a form of flood and stormwater mitigation
The city of Glasgow will receive $100,00 that will go towards improving flood impacts along the Trojan Trail.
The city of Winchester will receive $350,000 for the Fifth Street Stream Restoration Project. The money will go towards improving the water quality and quantity conditions in downtown Winchester.
Warren County will receive $267,337 for the Basil Griffin Park Stormwater Quality Improvement Project. It will go towards the construction of stormwater outlet channel improvements at Basil Griffin Park
Projects are anticipated to be completed by September 2027.
Copyright 2024 WBKO. All rights reserved.