U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said on Monday that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has dedicated $8.7 million to a major rehabilitation project at Rough River Lake Dam.
The project is in response to a 2012 safety report on the existing dam called for structural improvement to lower the risk of flooding to surrounding homes and communities, USACE said.
“It’s been my privilege to ensure the voices of the Rough River Lake community are heard in Washington,” McConnell said. “I was proud to secure the funding that will protect local families and businesses from the danger of severe flooding. I look forward to every opportunity to support this community as we improve our critical infrastructure.”
“I want to thank Sen. McConnell for securing this important funding for Rough River Lake. In recent years, Sen. McConnell has consistently fought to ensure Rough River Lake and the surrounding community are protected from government overreach,” said Breckinridge County Judge-Executive Maurice Lucas. “His work now is helping to ensure important work is done to help make sure Rough River Lake continues to thrive. Rough River Lake is such an important part of our community. Sen. McConnell is always using his position to help protect and make it better.”
At McConnell’s request, the USACE Work Plan also included $110,100,000 for the Kentucky Lock and Dam project. Since Congress authorized the project in 1996, McConnell has delivered over $600 million to construct a new and larger lock.
In December 2020, McConnell led passage of major legislation to invest in Kentucky’s water priorities. In that bill, he secured an increased funding authorization of $1.1 billion for the Kentucky Lock and Dam project.
The previous limit was expected to be reached as early as 2022. In the same legislation, McConnell also helped negotiate a new 65 percent to 35 percent cost-sharing agreement for the USACE to contribute more federal funding for major construction projects. The new cost-share formula could accelerate completion of the Kentucky Lock project by as much as three years.
(Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
