FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 25, 2021) - Governor Andy Beshear and Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) Secretary Rebecca Goodman announced that grants up to $25,000 are available to qualifying counties for flood debris cleanup.
Grants will be made available to the 48 counties with declared states of emergency associated with March flooding and can be used to cover the cost of collecting, transporting and disposing of municipal solid waste resulting from flooding.
Gov. Beshear?declared a state of emergency Feb. 28 and?deployed state resources to help afflicted areas. He later visited and pledged assistance to areas hardest hit by recent rains.
“Many counties across the commonwealth were devastated by these floods, and some had been impacted by ice storms right before the flooding, too,” Gov. Beshear said. “I want to make sure that on Team Kentucky, no one gets left behind during a challenge like this. We still have a long way to go, but we are happy to provide resources to these communities to help with their initial recovery efforts.”
Kentuckians affected by recent flooding are urged to be safe and environmentally conscious when cleaning and disposing of material. Potential hazards include asbestos, mold and toxic chemicals.
“We encourage all eligible counties to take advantage of this opportunity to assist in the removal and proper disposal of municipal solid waste associated with the recent flooding,” Secretary Goodman said.
Counties eligible for funding include: Adair, Anderson, Breathitt, Boyd, Butler, Calloway, Carter, Casey, Clark, Clay, Cumberland, Edmonson, Elliott, Estill, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Graves, Green, Greenup, Jackson, Jessamine, Johnson, Knott, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Madison, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Metcalfe, Morgan, Owen, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Spencer, Todd, Trigg, Wolfe, and Woodford.
Funding for the cleanup comes from the Kentucky Pride Fund, through a $1.75 environmental remediation fee for each ton of garbage disposed of at Kentucky municipal solid waste disposal facilities. The Kentucky Division of Waste Management administers the fund.
Storm debris handling guidance and additional resources can be found on the EEC website. Information is also available regarding the disposal of items such as livestock carcasses, 55-gallon drums or tanks, and for the cleanup of waterways.
Please note that the preferred method for managing woody or vegetative debris is by composting, shredding or chipping for reuse as mulch.
Kentuckians should contact their local solid waste coordinator to learn if debris will be picked?up curbside or if debris must be taken to a designated location.
Kentucky restricts open burning. Burning is?permitted only in limited circumstances and?under specific conditions. The burning of?household trash other than uncoated paper?products is illegal year-round.
A Kentucky Floods Cleanup Hotline has also been set up (800-451-1954) for services including clearing trees; removal of drywall, flooring and appliances; tarping of roofs; and mold mitigation. Services are available through March 26 as resources allow.
Grant application packages will be emailed to eligible counties. For additional information, please contact Gary Logsdon at gary.logsdon@ky.gov or Lisa Evans at lisa.evans@ky.gov .
