U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced today that a key committee in the U.S. House of Representatives has approved federal funding for flood control efforts in southern and eastern Kentucky. This week, the House Appropriations Committee passed the FY 2010 Energy & Water Appropriations bill, which included $9.5 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect the region from future flooding.

“The devastating impact of the May severe storms and flooding reiterated the need for funding of flood control projects in southern and eastern Kentucky,” said Rogers. “Our families and our communities have been hit hard by the damage and destruction these high waters and rushing water have brought. This is an important step toward our region receiving the funding necessary to guard homes, insulate businesses, channel rivers, and reduce the potential for flood losses throughout the Upper Cumberland and Big Sandy watersheds.”

The FY 2010 Energy & Water Appropriations bill provides $9.5 million for flood control and flood damage reduction activities along the Levisa and Tug forks of the Big Sandy and Cumberland Rivers. This includes funding for construction projects in the Town of Martin, the cities of Cumberland and Middlesboro, the community of Clover Fork, as well as county-wide flood reduction projects in Harlan, Martin, Bell and Pike Counties. Funding will also be made available to continue studies in Floyd, Knox, Johnson and Whitley Counties. Administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with local input, these funds build on over two decades of coordinated planning and construction to flood proof and protect homes and communities throughout southern and eastern Kentucky.

This legislation is scheduled to be considered by the full House of Representatives later this summer. 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.