Message From the Executive Director

     The BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has brought environmental concerns back into the news and the minds of people everywhere. If we learn nothing else from this devastating environmental disaster, I hope we realize that it costs much less to take the necessary steps to protect water quality than to try to clean up after a disaster.

     My colleagues and I have worked for years for regulations that better protect our precious waterways - our drinking sources and lifeline for a healthy future. Colleagues like Cyn Sartou, executive director of the Gulf Restoration Network - a group that is currently on the ground working to clean up the mess BP has made. I had the pleasure of presenting the River Hero award to her in May given by River Network. It reminded me that even if the world doesn’t always recognize how important our work is until it’s too late, we shouldn’t let that deter us from what we know we should do. 

     On the home front, despite incredible progress lately - particularly in the protection of Appalachian streams -  KWA will need your help and support more than ever before as we navigate the future. Unfortunately we seem to be fighting the state on discharge permits from coal mines – even with new EPA guidance giving clear limits for conductivity. And we continue to be at odds with the state about how best to keep our  cleanest waterways clean. 

     These challenges come at a time when KWA is feeling the pinch from the economic downturn. However, all of us at KWA are using this as an opportunity to revisit our strategic plan so we can refocus and plan for a more sustainable future. We want you to know that we are putting every dollar you donate to good use so that Kentucky Waterways Alliance can continue being the voice for healthy waterways and healthy communities in Kentucky. 

     We do ask that you rally around us. If each of our members gave just a little more than normal or helped us recruit a handful of new members, we would not only survive, but thrive in these uncertain times. If you are willing to hold a house party or pitch in at an upcoming fundraising event, please let me know. Your help is greatly appreciated! 

     Our strategic planning has shown us that our supporters believe our work has been important and critical for the future. On the horizon, we are planning to place more emphasis on protecting “special places” and have secured support to begin a Rockcastle River Conservation program. We’re also considering how to integrate the Aquatic Resource Fund we manage for the US Fish and Wildlife Service into our work and priorities. Even with our challenges, the future looks bright.  

     In closing, we should all be looking into the future for the sake of our children and our children’s children. As a perceptive 8-year-old once said, “Why don’t we do everything we can to take care of the planet? It’s the only one we’ve got.”

For a healthier planet,

Executive Director

P.S. Check out our new blog!