WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell secured several priorities benefiting Kentucky in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, which passed the Senate today. The legislation now goes to the President for his signature.

Senator McConnell said following passage: “This bipartisan legislation the Senate passed supports Kentucky’s vital water infrastructure, gives more control to Kentucky communities, and assists with flood protection in the Commonwealth.

“The legislation helps enhance river-based recreation and tourism along Kentucky’s Green and Barren Rivers. It allows for better repair and maintenance of the Rochester Dam too, by transferring control from the federal government to the Rochester Dam Regional Water Commission. In this effort, I would like to thank David Phemister and Mike Hensley with the Kentucky Nature Conservancy, as well as members and supporters of the Rochester Dam Regional Water Commission, including Butler County Judge Executive David Fields, Walt Beasley with the Ohio County Water District, Damon Talley, and Gary Larimore with the Kentucky Rural Water Association.

“The bill includes another provision — one I worked on with Paducah Mayor Gayle Kaler, City Manager Jeff Pederson, and City Engineer Rick Murphy — that will better protect residents and businesses in Paducah from flooding.”

Senator McConnell supported the following provisions which will directly benefit Kentucky:

• Transfer of Green and Barren Rivers infrastructure: The bill directs the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to transfer certain inoperable lock and dam infrastructure along the Green and Barren Rivers in Kentucky to state and local entities so they can determine the best use of this infrastructure. The McConnell provision authorizes the disposition of Green River Locks and Dams 3, 4, 5, and 6 and Barren River Lock and Dam 1. The Nature Conservancy of Kentucky and many stakeholders in the Mammoth Cave community have prioritized deauthorizing Dam 6 on the Green River with the goal of eventually removing the infrastructure to restore natural flows and enhance river-based recreation and tourism in the area. Green River Lock and Dam 3, also known as the Rochester Dam, serves as a vital water source for people and businesses in six counties who for years have sought local control of the infrastructure so it can be repaired and better maintained. The provision Senator McConnell secured will provide for the transfer of the Rochester Dam to the Rochester Dam Regional Water Commission.

Walt Beasley, General Manager of the Ohio County Water District, said: “Senator McConnell understands the vital importance of the Rochester Dam. He and his staff have worked with us and provided guidance throughout this process. Without Senator McConnell’s leadership and his passion for protecting our water supply, the transfer of the Rochester Dam to the Rochester Dam Regional Water Commission would not have been included in the WRDA Bill.”

Mike Hensley, Green River Project Director for the Nature Conservancy, said “We are grateful to Senator McConnell for his leadership and hard work on the Green and Barren rivers’ locks and dams. Removing this aging infrastructure from federal ownership presents an enormous opportunity to secure water supply, economic, recreation, and conservation wins for the region.”

Butler County Judge/Executive David Fields said: “Today we reached a major milestone on the road to gaining local control of the Rochester Dam. The Rochester Dam is vital to our community’s water supply. There is still much work to be done. We could not have gotten this far, however, without the experienced leadership of Senator McConnell.”

• Paducah Flood Protection Infrastructure Authorization Increase: This provision helps people living in Paducah, Kentucky, better protect themselves, their homes, and their businesses from flooding by increasing a federal authorization cap that will allow the City to complete its vital and comprehensive flood protection infrastructure repair project. For years, officials in Paducah have worked with the USACE Louisville district to update and repair the city’s aging floodwall and shoreline infrastructure to better protect its citizens from flooding. In order to complete the project, Congress must raise the project’s authorization cap, which this bill does to an amount over $31 million. This authorization increase will allow the City and the USACE to complete the priority flood protection project with future appropriations.

Paducah Mayor Gayle Kaler said: “When completed, this important flood protection repair project will better protect the citizens and business of Paducah. Senator McConnell doesn’t just understand Paducah’s priorities, he makes them his own and we are very appreciative of his leadership on our behalf.”

• State approval for coal combustion residual (or “Coal Ash”) units. This measure gives states the authority to develop their own permitting systems for the recycling and reuse of coal ash in a safe and effective manner that’s in line with current federal requirements. This authority will provide much needed clarity to Kentucky’s utility providers that produce the coal ash as well as the businesses that recycle and reuse the byproduct to manufacture various commonly used and sustainable materials, such as concrete.

Chris Perry, president and CEO of Kentucky Association Electric Cooperatives, said: “On behalf of the nearly 1.7 million people who are served by Kentucky’s electric cooperatives, we want to thank Senator McConnell for his continued leadership and understanding of how federal regulations affect real people. The coal ash provision resolves an important issue for Kentucky energy providers. By asserting state oversight of coal ash use and disposal, this legislation helps protect Kentucky energy users. Without it, the lack of regulatory clarity exposed utilities to potential litigation which would threaten their ability to cost effectively serve the people at the end of line.”

• A provision authored by Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) supporting “floating cabins” at Lake Cumberland. The provision secured by Rep. Rogers will help support the development and accommodation of floating cabins at Lake Cumberland in an effort to promote new recreational activity and economic development in the region.

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