 On Oct. 18, 2005, students released fish into the Green River during a dedication ceremony for the Green River Paddle Trail and the City of Greensburg's new sewer lines.
Local officials participated in the event, along with representatives of the Southern and Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association (SEKTDA) and Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, the nonprofit organizations that funded the paddle trail and sewer project.
Forty students from Greensburg Elementary School and Green County Middle School released thousands of channel catfish at the paddle trail’s boat ramp. The fish release symbolized that the city’s sewer project would lead to less water pollution. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources provided the fish.
The city used a $602,000 PRIDE grant to extend sewer lines to 57 new customers, replacing 19 failing septic systems in the Goose Creek watershed. Because the septic systems were not treating sewage properly, they were contributing to Goose Creek’s high levels of dangerous bacteria found in human and animal waste, such as E. Coli and fecal coliform.
“We’re hoping to see an improvement in water quality in Goose Creek because of this project,” said Richie Kessler, Green River Director for The Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the diversity of life on Earth. “Ultimately, that will lead to a cleaner Green River, which is important for people who use the paddle trail.”
Mayor George C. Cheatham II accepted a ceremonial check for $13,500 from Vicki Kidd, SEKTDA Executive Director. The SEKTDA Community Development Fund Program allows communities to apply for funding to assist, develop and promote tourism throughout southern and eastern Kentucky. To date, SEKTDA has provided funding for a feasibility study, signs, paddle trail enhancement and redbud trees totaling approximately $60,000 for the Green River Paddle Trail, in addition to the $13,500 received today.
“This community has worked together to bring in tourists and bolster the economic development in their area,” Kidd said. “SEKTDA is proud to have had the opportunity to work with a community with such vision for tourism.”
Cheatham hosted the dedication ceremony. In addition to Kessler and Kidd, speakers included state Sen. Richard Sanders, PRIDE Executive Director Richard Thomas and Charles Blankenship, who oversees the USDA Rural Development office in Columbia, which administered the PRIDE grant.
“Everything we do today to clean the water and countryside means a better future for these young people,” said Thomas of PRIDE. “And we know they will keep the water and environment clean because they’re learning about Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment.”
SEKTDA and PRIDE are committed to improving the quality of life in southern and eastern Kentucky through economic development. Both were created by Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-5) and are based in The Center for Rural Development in Somerset.
SEKTDA works with the region’s communities to promote and expand the tourism industry. PRIDE, which stands for Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment, focuses on cleaning up the region’s waterways, removing solid waste problems and promoting environmental education.
### |
