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Skip Navigation LinksDivision of Water > Permitting and Approvals
Division of Water

Division of Water
Program Development

Kentucky's Stream and Wetland Conservation Plan survey results are available. With funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Stephanie McSpirit of Eastern Kentucky University was contracted to design the survey and get input from various stakeholders. Over 800 stakeholders were surveyed, which included environmental professionals, federal and state regulators, farmers, homeowners, coal industry representatives, stream restoration engineers, foresters and sportsmen.

Survey respondents provided their views and insights across the following subjects:
  1. Current regulatory and mitigation effects.
  2. Serious impacts to Kentucky's stream and wetland resources. 
  3.  Current education, outreach and research efforts. 
  4.  "No net loss" of Kentucky's streams and wetlands.
Click on the links below for the final report Kentucky Streams and Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Plan.

 

 Kentucky Streams and Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Plan

 
DocumentUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
Title - Planning Framework
Section 1- Project Design and Methodologies
Section 2 - Setting Statewide Goals
Section 3 - Current Regulatory Efforts
Section 4 - Major Impacts and Challenges
Section 5 - Education, Outreach and Research
Section 6 - Strategic Planning and Action
​Kentucky’s National Wetland Condition Assessment
 
The Kentucky Division of Water is participating in the National Wetland Condition Assessment (NWCA) conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
 
Click here to find out more:
http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/assessment/survey/upload/Wetland-Survey-Fact-Sheetv5.pdf

National Wetland Condition Assessment | National Wetland Condition Assessment | US EPA
 
Kentucky Wetland Rapid Assessment Method (KY-WRAM)
The Kentucky Division of Water is developing a rapid wetland assessment method to assess  the functions and ecosystem services of Kentucky wetlands. The KY-WRAM will be designed as a functional assessment tool, and it will mirror that of other states by modifying existing methods. Within each wetland type found in Kentucky, we will compare reference and impaired sites to calibrate the method for rapidly assessing wetland quality. After the KY-WRAM has been field tested by the project team, we will conduct training workshops for agency personnel and private-sector consultants. Once in place, we expect the KY-WRAM will be used to evaluate potential dredge and fill impacts, assess mitigation and restoration success, assist in watershed planning, and support the development of regulations protecting unique or high-quality wetlands. By first adapting existing rapid assessment methods, we will shorten the development process, allowing us to initiate validation using biocriteria.
 
Click here to find out more about rapid wetland assessment methods:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/monitor/RapidMethodReview.pdf
 
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DEP Division of Water l 200 Fair Oaks Lane, Fourth Floor l Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-3410 (Telephone) l 502-564-0111 (Fax) l E-mail




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