10.29.09 - Rogers Announces $500,000 for Martin County Flood Control Efforts
Thursday, October 29, 2009

U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced today that Congress has approved federal funding for flood mitigation efforts in Martin County. These funds were approved by both the House of Representatives and Senate as part of the final FY 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report, which was signed into law yesterday by the President.

“The winter ice storms and disastrous May floods have taken a toll on our region this year and Martin County is in urgent need of continued flood control and mitigation efforts,” stated Rogers. “As we all know, the devastation of flood waters brings business to a standstill, schools are forced to close, and communities are left trying to pick up the pieces for years. We’ve made progress these past few months in getting back on our feet, but much work remains. By strengthening and widening Blacklog Fork, we are addressing a perennial flooding area and providing peace of mind to nearby families and small businesses.”

The FY 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill provides $500,000 in FEMA pre-disaster mitigation funding to prevent future flooding and damages. Specifically, this funding will support a stream improvement project to mitigate the repetitive damage at Blacklog Fork and Old Route 40 in Inez. Martin County proposes to widen the channel in key locations and armor eroding banks for the first two stream miles of Blacklog Fork. Damages incurred are related to the fact that water becomes bottlenecked where Blacklog Fork, Route 40, and Coldwater Fork converge. Roadways and bridges have already been elevated and correction of the drainage problem will alleviate flooding in this area and mitigate future damages.

Rogers works to obtain federal funding for projects across southern and eastern Kentucky in his role as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.