Rogers talks flood control, walking trails during visit

U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (seated) listened to Johnson County Judge-Executive Mark McKenzie as he addressed the crowd at Thursday’s kick off for the county’s flood mitigation project.

By TONY FYFFE

BSN Editor

PAINTSVILLE — U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers visited the Big Sandy region Thursday to kick off a major flood control project in Johnson County and cut the ribbon for a rails-to-trails project in Floyd County.

U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers and local officials cut the ribbon for the Prestonsburg Passage during a ceremony Thursday.

Rogers secured $118 million in federal funding for the flood mitigation project in Paintsville and watched at a ceremony Thursday at the Mountain HomePlace at Paintsville Lake as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local officials signed an agreement to begin the work.

The proposed project includes a levee-flood wall system and a flood warning system.

“Flood control has been one of my top priorities since I was elected to federal office. I don't want our folks to go to bed in fear every time a storm rolls through the mountains, and thanks to the Army Corps and local leaders, we have completed some impressive projects in several communities to help protect the people of Southern and Eastern Kentucky for generations,” Rogers said. “We’re hoping to do the same thing here in Johnson County.”

Rogers thanked Johnson County Judge-Executive Mark McKenzie and Paintsville Mayor Bill Mike Runyon for working with the Corps of Engineers to “advance this life-saving effort.”

The Army Corps’ Louisville District is working in close coordination with the Johnson County Fiscal Court and the Paintsville City Council to provide flood protection where it's needed the most.

McKenzie said the project will “improve public safety, reduce the impact from flooding for Paintsville and Johnson County and create jobs - therefore impacting our local economy.”

“This $118 million project would not be possible without the consistent efforts and support of Congressman Hal Rogers,” McKenzie said.

Runyon said the project is “huge for our community, as we have suffered for years with a flooding problem.”

“This project will go a long way to eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures,” Runyon said.

The Corps of Engineers completed a feasibility study for the project in April.

“In August 2018, the Louisville District was first assigned to design, construct and look at cost effective means to address flooding issues in the City of Paintsville and Johnson County,” said Col. Eric Crispino of the Louisville District. “We have divided the project into three phases for construction and implementation. We will begin awarding contracts for the first two phases in the next fiscal year, which includes a flood warning system and some features to reduce risk to the county courthouse and several structures in the surrounding area.”

The Louisville District will host a virtual informational public meeting for the project on Thursday, Sept. 30, from 6-7:30 p.m. To participate in the virtual public meeting, log in at: https://usace1.webex.com/meet/michael.moore17and enter your name and email address. For the presentation’s audio portion, call 1-844-800-2712. Access code: 199 250 1980.

Comments and questions may also be submitted via e-mail to JohnsonCosect202project@usace.army.mil

To learn more about the project visit: https://go.usa.gov/xMgaz.

Prior to the Johnson County event, Rogers joined local officials in Floyd County to celebrate the completion of the Prestonsburg Passage, an 8.2-mile rails-to-trails project that converted a former railroad track into a paved trail for hiking and biking in Prestonsburg.

The city of Prestonsburg was awarded a $1.95 million Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Pilot Grant in 2016 for the tourism project.

“The people of Floyd County are to be commended for their diligent work to make Prestonsburg a destination for folks who want to get outside and enjoy life in Eastern Kentucky,” Rogers said. “The Prestonsburg Passage could be one of the most impressive trails in the country — it's a major tourist attraction.”

The trail is already attracting new businesses, including an RV campsite that recently opened along the trail in David, with plans for future development, officials said.

“Our passage trail has opened up tourism for not only Prestonsburg, but has started breathing new life into the David community with visitors from all across the state and beyond our borders,” Prestonsburg Mayor Les Stapleton said.

The trail has already welcomed well over 200 adventure-seekers on weekends.

“People used to come to Red River Gorge and stop, but now they are coming on down to Prestonsburg to enjoy our trails. The Gorge is now a gateway into our community,” Prestonsburg Tourism Executive Director Samantha Johnson said. “Despite all the challenges we faced in 2020, our community benefitted from $44 million in tourism-related spending last year, and I believe that's just the beginning.”

One Saturday every month, golf carts are also allowed on the trail, including golf carts that are available for rent.

The proposed project includes a levee-flood wall system and a flood warning system.

“Flood control has been one of my top priorities since I was elected to federal office. I don't want our folks to go to bed in fear every time a storm rolls through the mountains, and thanks to the Army Corps and local leaders, we have completed some impressive projects in several communities to help protect the people of Southern and Eastern Kentucky for generations,” Rogers said. “We’re hoping to do the same thing here in Johnson County.”

Rogers thanked Johnson County Judge-Executive Mark McKenzie and Paintsville Mayor Bill Mike Runyon for working with the Corps of Engineers to “advance this life-saving effort.”

The Army Corps’ Louisville District is working in close coordination with the Johnson County Fiscal Court and the Paintsville City Council to provide flood protection where it's needed the most.

McKenzie said the project will “improve public safety, reduce the impact from flooding for Paintsville and Johnson County and create jobs - therefore impacting our local economy.”

“This $118 million project would not be possible without the consistent efforts and support of Congressman Hal Rogers,” McKenzie said.

Runyon said the project is “huge for our community, as we have suffered for years with a flooding problem.”

“This project will go a long way to eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures,” Runyon said.

The Corps of Engineers completed a feasibility study for the project in April.

“In August 2018, the Louisville District was first assigned to design, construct and look at cost effective means to address flooding issues in the City of Paintsville and Johnson County,” said Col. Eric Crispino of the Louisville District. “We have divided the project into three phases for construction and implementation. We will begin awarding contracts for the first two phases in the next fiscal year, which includes a flood warning system and some features to reduce risk to the county courthouse and several structures in the surrounding area.”

The Louisville District will host a virtual informational public meeting for the project on Thursday, Sept. 30, from 6-7:30 p.m. To participate in the virtual public meeting, log in at: https://usace1.webex.com/meet/michael.moore17and enter your name and email address. For the presentation’s audio portion, call 1-844-800-2712. Access code: 199 250 1980.

Comments and questions may also be submitted via e-mail to JohnsonCosect202project@usace.army.mil

To learn more about the project visit: https://go.usa.gov/xMgaz.

Prior to the Johnson County event, Rogers joined local officials in Floyd County to celebrate the completion of the Prestonsburg Passage, an 8.2-mile rails-to-trails project that converted a former railroad track into a paved trail for hiking and biking in Prestonsburg.

The city of Prestonsburg was awarded a $1.95 million Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Pilot Grant in 2016 for the tourism project.

“The people of Floyd County are to be commended for their diligent work to make Prestonsburg a destination for folks who want to get outside and enjoy life in Eastern Kentucky,” Rogers said. “The Prestonsburg Passage could be one of the most impressive trails in the country — it's a major tourist attraction.”

The trail is already attracting new businesses, including an RV campsite that recently opened along the trail in David, with plans for future development, officials said.

“Our passage trail has opened up tourism for not only Prestonsburg, but has started breathing new life into the David community with visitors from all across the state and beyond our borders,” Prestonsburg Mayor Les Stapleton said.

The trail has already welcomed well over 200 adventure-seekers on weekends.

“People used to come to Red River Gorge and stop, but now they are coming on down to Prestonsburg to enjoy our trails. The Gorge is now a gateway into our community,” Prestonsburg Tourism Executive Director Samantha Johnson said. “Despite all the challenges we faced in 2020, our community benefitted from $44 million in tourism-related spending last year, and I believe that's just the beginning.”

One Saturday every month, golf carts are also allowed on the trail, including golf carts that are available for rent.