Focus Watershed: North Fork of the Kentucky River

This grant will provide continued funding assistance to support an AmeriCorps/VISTA position in the headwaters of the North Fork of the Kentucky River in Letcher County.  This region of the Kentucky River Basin has been found to have numerous water quality impairments.  The Head of Three Rivers Project is focusing on the regions most serious, endemic problems of pathogen pollution from sewage straight pipes and failing septic systems, sediment pollution from poor land management, and acid mine drainage from abandoned mining sites.  The individual currently fulfilling the watershed coordinator role is demonstrating significant progress in increasing awareness of these watershed issues and potential local solutions.  This grant will ensure the continued presence of a coordinator to facilitate water quality improvements through community awareness and involvement.