 Here is the Veto Statement. Now we need you to make your voices heard! Exactly What to Do: Spend 10 Minutes to Save Our Water. Look up who your House Rep and Senator are here. OR, the LRC switchboard can look it up for you. 1️⃣ CALL YOUR HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE (2 minutes)
We’re in a critical fight to stop SB 89, a dangerous bill that would roll back protections for Kentucky’s groundwater, wetlands, and streams. An unprecedented coalition of partner organizations across the state is coordinating actions and activating Kentuckians to oppose this bill. Read our joint state in opposition to Senate Bill 89 here.
 
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 2025 Senate Bill 89: Removing Protections for Waters of the Commonwealth
SB 89 – (S. Madon) – An act relating to environmental protection and declaring an emergency. Kentucky Waterways Alliance Strongly Opposes SB89 as it threatens: Drinking Water – Groundwater – Wetlands – Headwaters – Increases Water Pollution
If the right to pollute water is created, Kentucky’s water will be more polluted. We all live downstream. Kentucky is water. Water is commonwealth Contact – Nick Hart, Water Policy Director KWA – 502-472-7971 – [email protected] 2025 General Assembly: KWA's February Legislative Update
On February 4, the Kentucky Generally Assembly re-convened in Frankfort for the second part of the 2025 legislative session, and the water started moving fast in the wrong direction---a flood of legislation threatens environmental protections Kentuckians rely on for clean water and air. Legislative targets threatening Kentucky’s residents and natural resources include:
Kentucky Waterways Alliance Strongly Opposes SB89, Urges Lawmakers to Vote No or Revise Language
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Michael Washburn, Executive Director [email protected] Louisville, KY – February 17, 2025 – Kentucky Waterways Alliance (KWA) strongly opposes Senate Bill 89 (SB89), warning that redefining the “Waters of the Commonwealth” will have devastating impacts on millions of Kentucky residents. The proposed changes threaten drinking water, flood protection, agriculture, and outdoor recreation, jeopardizing the health, economy, and identity of the state. “Advocating for clean water is not political or ideological—water follows only one path: downstream. Anything placed in a waterway will ultimately reach the lakes and streams we swim in, fish from, and drink from,” said Michael Washburn, Executive Director of KWA. “SB89 eliminates vital protections, exposing Kentuckians to irreversible harm.” SB89’s proponents argue it will benefit industry and job growth, but KWA warns that its unintended consequences far outweigh any perceived benefits. City and county governments, utilities, farmers, hunters, anglers, and environmental experts have all raised alarm, calling the bill catastrophic for Kentucky’s people and economy. If enacted, SB89 would strip Kentucky of its authority to regulate state waters beyond federally protected “waters of the United States” (40 CFR 120.2). “This would be like limiting police to only patrolling interstates while ignoring local roads,” Washburn added. “It’s a reckless move that hands over control of Kentucky’s waters to polluters.” The economic implications are staggering. Outdoor recreation, an industry reliant on clean water and healthy ecosystems, contributes billions to the state economy and supports 70,000 jobs. According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the industry generates:
“Never in history has a right to pollute been granted without being exercised,” Washburn stated. “SB89 creates a right to pollute, and Kentucky will pay the price in lost drinking water, increased flooding, and economic decline.” KWA urges lawmakers to hold SB89 for revisions that include input from Kentucky communities, nonprofits, and industries. If revisions are not made, KWA calls for the outright rejection of this dangerous legislation. ### Since 1993, Kentucky Waterways Alliance (KWA) has been the only statewide nonprofit organization focused on waterways in Kentucky. KWA works with communities on local watershed issues and advocates for better policies and programs at the state and national levels. With a mission to protect, restore, and celebrate Kentucky’s waterways, KWA’s work is making a difference in the quality of life for all Kentuckians. Learn more at www.kwalliance.org
The full press release can be read here. A summary of the Fishing Study report can be read here and the full report can be read here. Fish caught by Humana Community Day and other volunteers at a Participatory Science Fishing Day at the Falls of the Ohio State Park in August contained safe levels of most contaminants according to recently completed analysis by University of Louisville researchers. Testing showed the fish did contain levels higher than limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a few contaminants, however, indicating a need for careful attention to fish consumption and additional environmental monitoring. The fishing event was organized by Kentucky Waterways Alliance (KWA) and U of L’s Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute to help monitor the health of the Ohio River and its fish populations. Additional support was provided by Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (Kentucky chapter), two centers affiliated with Envirome – the Center for Healthy Air, Water and Soil and the Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences – along with the Falls of the Ohio Foundation and Humana Foundation.   Kentucky Waterways Alliance endorses and celebrates the introduction of the bipartisan Ohio River Restoration Program Act. This legislation was introduced by Representatives Morgan McGarvey (D, KY-3) and Erin Houchin (R, IN-9), co-chairs of the Ohio River Basin Congressional Caucus.
"This is legislation that is going to strengthen our ability to make sure we have safe drinking water, that is going to make sure that our children are protected from toxic pollution, that is going to make sure they have fishable, swimmable and drinkable waters." Michael Washburn, KWA's Executive Director said. Read KWA's press release HERE. Read the Courier Journal’s article HERE. "One thing that’s true about Kentuckians is there is a deep love for home, and a deep connection to place, and a big part of that is the environment." ~ Charles Booker There's some special magic that happens when friends sit next to a river and talk, especially if those two people are Will Oldham (aka Bonnie "Prince" Billy) and Charles Booker. We are grateful to these two Kentuckians for their commitment to Kentucky Waterways Alliance's mission, and for letting us listen in on their conversation about the Commonwealth's most important natural resource, water. In this video Charles and Will discuss justice, creativity, and more. Also, a surprise guest makes an unexpected appearance!  Restoring the Red Bird River! by Laura Gregory
In late 2023 KWA began managing the Red Bird River Septic & Education Project. This project was previously run by the U.S. Forest Service and Daniel Boone National Forest, as part of a watershed plan completed in 2016 by Kentucky Waterways Alliance, with the help of many community partners and stakeholders. This funding will allow KWA to employ a local Red Bird River Watershed Coordinator whose responsibilities will include overseeing the repair or replacement of 13 septic systems and providing educational opportunities for residents of the counties. The Red Bird River, named for Cherokee Chief Red Bird, rises as Red Bird Creek in northeastern Bell County, becoming the Red Bird River in Clay County, forming the boundary between Clay and Leslie counties. Eventually the Redbird comes to a confluence with Goose Creek and Bullskin Creek to form the South Fork of the Kentucky River. The Redbird is 34.3 miles long and drains an area of 195.7 square miles. The geography of the Red Bird River Watershed (RBRW) adds to the beauty of the area, but also contributes to the current water quality issues. The RBRW is remote; the landscape consists of steep slopes and narrow valley bottoms. Many of the residents have settled close to waterways because floodplains offer most of the flat areas conducive to home construction. Research shows the lack of municipal sewers and absent or failing onsite wastewater disposal systems contribute to poor water quality issues, resulting in a higher incidence of stomach illnesses and dental problems for the people who rely on this water. For years the entire Red Bird River has been listed as an impaired waterway because it has too much fecal coliform. After years of implementing KWA’s watershed plan through education, outreach and septic system improvements, new water quality data led the Kentucky Division of Water to propose delisting a 15-mile segment of Red Bird River for primary contact recreation due to reduced e. Coli impairments in 2022. This is good news for people who want to use the river for recreation, as well as for three species that live in the Red Bird River watershed that are considered at risk under the Endangered Species Act: the threatened Kentucky Arrow Darter and endangered Snuffbox (a freshwater mussel) and Gray Bat. KWA is excited to continue working with our community partners with the hope that eventually the entire Red Bird River will be fully restored to water that is drinkable, swimmable, and fishable.  Kentucky Waterways Alliance (KWA)opposes the proposed construction of a shipyard and barge repair facility at the foot of Six Mile Island, on the Indiana side of the Ohio River. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is accepting comments, including emails, on this permit until the close of business on Thursday, March 28. The subject line of the email must be the Public Notice Number, which is LRL-1992-00532. The email must provide your physical mailing address and telephone number. To facilitate commenting Kentucky Waterways Alliance is providing a template email (below) that you may use as a resource to craft your own message.
About the project: An application has been filed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to permit the project. This project would include construction of a 160x70 foot dry dock and the permanent mooring of four barges along the Ohio River. The applicant has also requested authorization to conduct regular maintenance dredging which will result in the discharge of 400 cubic yards of material annually for the next ten years into the river. The email template: Email Address: [email protected] Subject Line: LRL-1992-00532 I am submitting this email to formally oppose the proposed shipyard and barge repair facility planned at the foot of Six Mile Island, on the Indiana side of the Ohio River. This location is inappropriate based on risk to the preservation of Six Mile Island, the Ohio River, our recreational economy, and the physical health of Kentucky and Indiana citizens. Six Mile Island is a protected State Nature Preserve and habitat to many species of wildlife. The 85-acre island is noted for its variety of waterbirds, including Bald Eagles. This island was protected as a preserve so that it would be allowed to return to its original natural state. Additional barge and tugboat activity will create wakes that will further erode the sensitive banks of the island. Six Mile Island and the surrounding section of river serve as a beloved area for regional recreational boaters, including weekly sailboat races, families on motorboats, kayak and canoe paddlers, and even the Mary M. Miller Riverboat. There will be a negative impact to this important public recreation area used by thousands of Indiana and Kentucky citizens. The new facility is to be located approximately 50 feet upstream from a marine diesel fuel suppler. Adding more barge traffic near fuel barges carrying 600,000 gallons of diesel and hundreds of gallons of lubricating oils only 2.2 miles upstream from Louisville's drinking water supply intake on the Ohio River poses risks to the health of our community. I formally oppose this proposed project and believe that public hearings are in order with input from such organizations at the Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Ohio River Way, UofL’s Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, KY Fish and Wildlife, and the City of Louisville Metro Government. Sincerely, NAME ADDRESS |
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