 Efforts to keep Lake Cumberland clean got a big boost as the PRIDE of the Cumberland, a new work boat that will remove trash and wood debris from the lake, was christened. Federal, state, and local officials gathered at the Waitsboro Recreational Facility in Somerset for the unique event on April 11, 2005.
U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers, who directed $700,000 in federal funding to design and build the one-of-a-kind vessel, used water from Lake Cumberland to christen the PRIDE of the Cumberland. Rogers said the boat is part of the ongoing effort to encourage environmental cleanup and economic development.
“The PRIDE of the Cumberland is the newest tool in our region-wide effort to clean up our lands and waterways," Rogers said. "The boat, which is designed to work year around, will remove wood debris and trash from the water and shorelines, making the lake safer and more enjoyable for everyone.”
“The flexibility of this piece of equipment is remarkable,” said Lt. Colonel Jorns, who commands the Nashville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “On board you have two mobile components; the veneer chipper and the large dumpsters which can be removed from the PRIDE and used at other sites around the lake. The loader on board is capable of lifting objects weighing more than 2000 pounds at its maximum reach of 25 feet.”
After the christening ceremony, Rogers and Jorns took a short cruise to watch a demonstration of the vessel's ability to lift large debris from the water. They were joined by elected officials from Pulaski, Russell and Wayne Counties, as well as dignitaries from the Corps of Engineers and Kentucky state government.
The PRIDE of the Cumberland consists of two 60-feet-long barges pushed by a 26-feet-long tow boat. One barge has a mechanical arm with attachments for skimming debris from the water, sawing logs and lifting heavy debris from the shore or water. The second barge holds a roll-off dumpster and a wood chipper. Trucks will meet the vessel at docks around the lake when it is ready to unload wood chips and trash.
Rogers launched PRIDE — Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment — in 1997 with the late General James Bickford, the former Secretary of the Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet. Their vision was to restore the natural beauty of their native region by encouraging citizens to take responsibility for protecting their environment and by providing the resources they need to accomplish this goal. Since the beginning, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been a vital PRIDE partner, primarily assisting communities to improve water quality.
### |
