WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Representative Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) applauded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) announcement today to dedicate $300,000 in additional funds to clean up Fishtrap Lake in Pike County, Kentucky. Attracting hundreds of thousands of anglers and sightseers from across the region, Fishtrap Lake is one of the largest lakes in Eastern Kentucky.

Each year, however, rainfall and flooding carry incredible amounts of trash and debris into the lake, which float downriver and eventually collect at Fishtrap Dam. This collection of trash at the dam negatively impacts the economic drivers of the community, including tourism and small businesses. With the potential to draw approximately 200,000 visitors annually, the trash at the dam threatens this natural resource and attraction for the region. Kentuckians who live near Fishtrap Lake contacted Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers about the failure of the Army Corps, which is responsible for managing the lake.

The additional funding will be used to expand the Army Corps’ current cleanup activities around the lake.

“Today’s announcement by the Army Corps is welcome news for the Fishtrap Lake community because it can restore one of the largest lakes in Eastern Kentucky,” said Senator McConnell. “Hundreds of the thousands of people visit the lake every year to enjoy its fishing and recreational activities. As Senate Majority Leader, I joined with my friend, Congressman Hal Rogers, to contact the Army Corps to help our constituents in Pike County, and I’m glad the agency answered our call to devote the critical resources necessary to help clean up the lake.”

“I applaud the Army Corps for dedicating additional funding to clean up debris from Fishtrap Lake and restore its natural beauty,” said Congressman Rogers. “We are also working with our friends in Virginia to mitigate the amount of debris floating downstream across the state border in hopes of minimizing this recurring problem. Senator McConnell and I are always honored to stand with the people of Eastern Kentucky to advocate for improvements across the region.”

Earlier this fall, Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers contacted Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) R.D. James, the head of the Army Corps, regarding the heaps of trash accumulating at the lake and asking for help to clean up Fishtrap Lake.

Assistant Secretary James agreed to the McConnell and Rogers requests, devoting $300,000 for cleanup.