FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 28, 2016) – Energy and Environment Secretary Charles Snavely announced today approximately $1.75 million in grant funding has been awarded for the cleanup of 139 illegal dumps in 26 counties across the Commonwealth. The funding comes from the Kentucky Pride Fund.
“Illegal dumping is a problem that raises significant concerns with regard to safety, property values and quality of life in our communities,” Sec. Snavely said. “It is an economic burden on local government that is typically responsible for cleaning up dump sites.”
The following counties received grants: Adair, Breathitt, Calloway, Clinton, Crittenden, Cumberland, Garrard/Lincoln Solid Waste Management Area, Green, Harlan, Hart, Henderson, Jackson, Lee, Leslie, Lyon, Magoffin, Marion, Metcalfe, Owsley, Pendleton, Pike, Russell, Shelby, Warren, Whitley and Wolfe.
As part of the grant funding, counties must agree to provide a match of 25 percent of the grant amount. The Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) may waive the 25 percent match on any individual illegal open dump costing more than $50,000 to remediate.
The Division of Waste Management administers the Kentucky Pride Fund to clean up county dump sites. Funding for the program comes from a $1.75 environmental remediation fee for each ton of garbage disposed of at Kentucky municipal solid waste disposal facilities. This “tipping fee,” authorized by the 2002 General Assembly under House Bill 174, is collected quarterly and placed in the Kentucky Pride Fund.
The Kentucky Pride Fund is the first legislated and ongoing source of state funding for dump cleanup. Previously, illegal open dump cleanup in Kentucky was primarily funded by county and federal sources. In 2006, Senate Bill 50 changed the reimbursement program to a grant program. The legislation also expanded the scope of the fund to address household hazardous waste collection and recycling infrastructure, in addition to illegal dump and old landfill projects.
Kentucky has made significant progress in addressing the illegal dump issue thanks to this funding, along with statewide cleanup and educational campaigns by local, state and federal agencies. For grant amounts, call your local solid waste coordinator or Lisa Evans at 502-564-6716.
