Water Recreation Tips Issued from Division of Water, Department for Public Health

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 26, 2023) – With summer approaching, the Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) and the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) offer these safety tips to help Kentuckians enjoy the many rivers, lakes and creeks in which to boat, fish, swim, canoe or otherwise enjoy our abundant water resources.

Despite many water quality improvements, there is the potential for human health risks in any body of water.  By using common sense, your risks of experiencing water-derived health issues can be greatly decreased.

DOW and DPH recommend that the public:

1. Avoid ingesting or inhaling the water.
2. Thoroughly clean hands and other areas that have come in contact with the water.
3. Avoid allowing open wounds to have direct contact with the water.
4. Avoid areas where swimming or harmful algal bloom (HAB) advisories have been issued.
5. Avoid water with obvious odors or surface scums.
6. Avoid getting in water after heavy rainfall, especially in dense residential, urban and agricultural areas.
7. Avoid areas below wastewater treatment facility outfalls, animal feedlots, straight pipes or other obvious sources of pollution.
8. Restrict pets and livestock from drinking the water if a bright green or blue-green surface scum is present.

Information on advisories is available on the DOW Advisory page. For more information on the water quality of Kentucky’s streams, rivers, lakes and springs, visit the Water Health Portal.

If you experience symptoms, such as gastro-intestinal upset or rash, after recreation in natural waters, such as streams, rivers or lakes, consult your physician or call your local health department.

For more information on healthy swimming in all water bodies, visit https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/. ###

Lead in Drinking Water Working Group to Meet June 5

Video conference will start at 2 p.m.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 24, 2023) – The Lead in Drinking Water Working Group will meet by videoconference on June 5, 2023 from 2–3 p.m. Eastern time. If you have questions about connecting to the videoconference, please contact Elizabeth Dowling at elizabeth.dowling@ky.gov or 502-782-0965.

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 853 1448 6063
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Agenda

1. Call meeting to order and roll call of membership – Amy Stoffer
2. Approve minutes of January 23, 2023 – Amy Stoffer
3. New procedure: report subgroup meeting notes to DOW
4. Subgroup report out
   1. Small systems
   2. Funding/financing
   3. Lead service line inventories and replacements
   4. Public communications
   5. Corrosion control
   6. Schools and childcare centers
   7. Procedures
5. DWSRF and DWINSA updates – Russell Neal
6. LCRI potential schedule / EPA updates
7. Public comment opportunity
8. Set next meeting date – propose September 25, 2023, 2 pm
9. Adjourn

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Kentucky Nuclear Development Workgroup to Meet May 24

Meeting begins at 10 a.m.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 12, 2023) – The Kentucky Nuclear Development Workgroup will meet May 24 at 10 a.m. Eastern time. Observers may attend virtually by registering here https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclde6pqDIiH9XdAZAn4o21xQ4X6lVgpAFy

For those meeting observers who require in-person attendance, please contact Carol Stringer.

The Kentucky Nuclear Development Workgroup formed with the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 79 of the 2023 General Assembly.

AGENDA 

• Welcome remarks
• Introduction of workgroup members
• Overview of workgroup tasks and timeline
• Meeting schedule and workgroup resources
• Workgroup assignments and questions

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Kentucky Reclamation Guaranty Fund Commission to Meet May 9

Meeting begins at 9 a.m.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 2, 2023) – The Kentucky Reclamation Guaranty Fund Commission will hold its quarterly meeting May 9, 2023 at 9 a.m. Eastern time via a hybrid method (in-person or virtually thru the Zoom meeting platform).

For those attending in person, the meeting location will be: 
Secretary’s Conference Room – 3^rd Floor, 300 Sower Blvd, Frankfort, KY.

For those attending virtually:
From your computer, tablet or smartphone: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84939489806?pwd=VW5ybnNpK0ppOStWMXJoQ1NCRGZLUT09

Meeting ID: 849 3948 9806 
Passcode: 409782 
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+19292056099,,84939489806#,,,,*409782# US (New York)

Dial by your location
+1 646 931 3860 US
+1 305 224 1968 US
+1 309 205 3325 US
+1 507 473 4847 US
833 928 4610 US Toll-free
877 853 5257 US Toll-free
888 475 4499 US Toll-free

Meeting ID: 849 3948 9806
Passcode: 409782
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kd3hQeODw9

Please note:  KRGF commissioners are encouraged to attend in person if possible and if not, they must ensure they are visible if attending virtually in order to vote on commission business. For questions about connecting to the videoconference, please contact Jeff O’Dell at 502-782-6724.

Agenda:

1. Call to order and roll call
2. Welcome and opening remarks
3. Approval of the minutes from February 7, 2023 meeting 
4. Abandoned Mine Lands forfeited sites update and progress report – Travis Trent
5. Discussion of draft actuarial analysis: Art Randolph/Chris Schubert – Pinnacle Actuarial Services 
6. DNR update: Gordon Slone, DNR commissioner 
7. Other business:
   1. Financial reports, bond liability, bond forfeitures
   2. Online portal updates
   3. Board member terms 
8. Adjournment

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Ozone Season Begins Today

Outdoor Burning Restricted in Some Counties

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 1, 2023) – May 1 marks the beginning of ozone season in the Commonwealth, and for some, that means taking extra care to learn before you burn. From May 1 through September 30, outdoor burning in Boone, Boyd, Bullitt, Campbell, Jefferson, Kenton, Lawrence, and Oldham counties is restricted to protect air quality.

Ground-level ozone is a summertime health risk, created when pollutants chemically react in the atmosphere in the presence of heat and sunlight.

“Outdoor or open burning contributes to ozone pollution, especially when the weather turns warmer” said Michael Kennedy, director of the Division for Air Quality. “Normally, we think of ozone as something that protects us when it’s up high in the atmosphere. But when ozone occurs at ground level, it’s a serious problem for human health.”

From May through September, outdoor burning of household rubbish, brush, tree limbs, leaves and natural growth from land clearing is not permitted in Boone, Boyd, Bullitt, Campbell, Kenton, and Oldham counties. A portion of Lawrence County is also subject to open burning restrictions during ozone season. Open burning is restricted year-round in Jefferson County.

All of these counties have, at one time or another, exceeded air quality standards for ozone or particulate matter pollution.

Many people may not realize that burning trash – at any time of the year – is illegal in all Kentucky counties. State law prohibits the outdoor burning of many materials including plastic, tires, cans, coated wire, carpeting and food waste. In addition, the burning of trailers, buildings, and construction and demolition debris such as shingles, drywall and insulation is prohibited. 

Painted, stained or treated wood products such as fence posts, pallets, and furniture are illegal to burn, because they release dangerous toxins into the air. Items that cannot be recycled should be taken to a state-permitted landfill.

To report illegal open burning or to learn more about open burning restrictions in your area, please call the Division for Air Quality at 502-782-6592 or email burnlaw@ky.gov , or visit the division’s website at eec.ky.gov/Air.

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Division of Waste Management announces $4,000 grants available from the Waste Tire Trust Fund

Kentucky counties urged to apply for funds

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 1, 2023) – Kentucky counties can now apply for $4,000 in waste tire recycling and removal grants from money that is available through the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division of Waste Management (DWM) Waste Tire Trust Fund.

“Eligible expenses under this grant are the actual costs that the county incurs during the grant period for recycling or disposal of waste tires,” said Darin Steen, manager of DWM’s Recycling and Local Assistance Branch. “Other expenses, such as labor and equipment costs, are not eligible.”

The grant period is July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Costs incurred by a county beginning July 1, 2023 for recycling or disposal of waste tires are eligible. Counties must submit receipts for those costs with their close-out report form by July 15, 2024. 

Waste tire grant applications must be submitted no later than June 7th, 2023. These grants do not require a match. Any unused funds must be returned to the cabinet by July 31, 2024. 

The grant packets will be sent by email to county judge-executives and solid waste coordinators. For more information contact Jenny Carr at 502-782-4663 or jenny.carr@ky.gov.

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Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Authority to Meet May 4

Meeting begins at 9:30 a.m.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 21, 2023) – The Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Authority will meet May 4 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time. 

The meeting will be held at the Morgan County Tree Nursery, located at 326 Tree Nursery Road in West Liberty.  

AGENDA 

• Welcome 
• Roll call of authority members 
• Introduction of guests 
• Approval of minutes from Feb. 2, 2023 
• Old business
• New business
  • Committee chairs for KASMC and streams and other waters
  • Subcommittee reports
    • KASMC 
    • Farmstead 
    • Pesticides, fertilizers and other agriculture chemicals 
    • Livestock and poultry 
    • Crops 
    • Silviculture 
    • Streams and other waters 
    • Education and outreach 
  • Quarterly update of AWQA related violations 
  • Updates from members 

• History of nursery and facility tour 
• Working lunch 
• Outdoor tour 
• Adjourn  

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Wildfire at Natural Bridge Grows as a Result of High Winds and Difficult Terrain

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 19, 2023) – Nearly 100 firefighters from the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF), U.S. Forest Service Daniel Boone National Forest and local fire departments with multiple engines and aerial resources are working to the wildfire at Natural Bridge State Resort Park/Nature Preserve in Slade, Kentucky.

Winds on Tuesday pushed the fire over containment lines, expanding it to more than 100 acres in the last 24 hours and onto US Forest Service Daniel Boone National Forest land. 

“What makes Natural Bridge unique, namely its arches and cliff lines, also makes it extremely difficult to control wildfire,” Division of Forestry Director/State Forester Brandon Howard said. “Hand crews with fire rakes have to construct containment lines while maneuvering in, around, and sometimes over cliffs.” 

All park trail heads, parking lots, except the lodge lot, remain closed to the public. While there is no current danger to the park’s lodge and cottages, it is unknown when the park will be able to reopen its trails. For more information on the park, please see updates at: parks.ky.gov/ and on Natural Bridge State Resort Park’s Facebook page: facebook.com/nbsrp.

Once the fire is contained and the spread is stopped, fire crews will turn their efforts into controlling the fire by extinguishing any smoldering material and reinforcing control lines. The cause of the wildfire remains under investigation.

The Red River Gorge area remains open for all activities, but visitors are asked to be careful when camping or hiking. Visitors to the area should be aware of possible visibility problems due to smoke from the fire.

Red Flag conditions are predicted for Thursday ahead of an approaching cold front with low humidity.

April is typically a high wildfire occurrence month and KDF encourages residents considering debris burning to exercise caution and consider all factors to help maximize the safety of people, property, and danger to the forest.

Forestry officials say that public efforts can go a long way in reducing the occurrence of wildfire. Taking extra precautions with debris fires and campfires and being alert to forest arson can eliminate the majority of wildfires that occur in Kentucky.

Report suspicious acts of arson to local law enforcement, the nearest Kentucky State Police post or call the Target Arson Hotline at 1-800-27-ARSON.

For more information on ways that you can prevent wildfires and loss of property, along with a map of local KDF field offices, visit https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Forestry/Pages/default.aspx

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Wildfire at Natural Bridge State Resort Park Closes Trails

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 18, 2023) – More than four dozen firefighters from the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF), U.S. Forest Service Daniel Boone National Forest and local fire departments are responding with multiple engines and aerial resources to a five-acre fire at Natural Bridge State Resort Park/Nature Preserve in Slade, Kentucky that has closed all trails at the park.

The fire, which began late Monday, is located near the sky bridge platform and is burning on state-owned land, which is also a dedicated nature preserve. Once the fire is contained and the spread is stopped, crews will turn their efforts into controlling the fire by extinguishing any smoldering material and reinforcing control lines. The cause of the wildfire is under investigation.

All parking lots in the park, except the lodge parking lot, remain closed to the public. While there is no current danger to the park’s lodge and cottages, it is unknown when the park will be able to reopen its trails. For more information on the park, please see updates at: parks.ky.gov/ and on Natural Bridge State Resort Park’s Facebook page: facebook.com/nbsrp.

“Kentucky is still in spring wildfire hazard season, which lasts until April 30, and we urge everyone to use great caution when outdoors or when burning debris during this season,” said Division of Forestry Director/State Forester Brandon Howard. 

During this time, KRS 149.400 prohibits any person to burn between the daylight hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. in or within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland. 

The KDF has responded to 628 wildland fires since January 1. While 10% of the wildfires were a result of downed power lines sparking fires during wind events, the majority of the wildfires have been a result of escaping outdoor debris burning and arson. 

April is typically a high wildfire occurrence month and KDF encourages residents considering debris burning to exercise caution to keep people safe, and property and forestland undamaged.

Forestry officials say that public efforts can go a long way in reducing the occurrence of a wildfire. Taking extra precautions with debris fires and campfires and being alert to forest arson can eliminate the majority of wildfires that occur in Kentucky.

Report suspicious acts of arson to local law enforcement, the nearest Kentucky State Police post or call the Target Arson Hotline at 1-800-27-ARSON.

For more information on ways that you can prevent wildfires and loss of property, along with a map of local KDF field offices, visit https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Forestry/Pages/default.aspx. 

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CANCELLED: Kentucky Oil and Gas Workgroup to Meet April 11

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 10, 2023) – The Kentucky Oil and Gas Workgroup meeting scheduled for April 11, 2023 at 10 a.m. Eastern time has been cancelled due to a water main break. The meeting will be rescheduled and an announcement will be forthcoming.

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