U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has approved federal funding for flood control efforts in southern and eastern Kentucky. Today, the House passed the FY10 Energy & Water Appropriations Conference Report, which included $9.5 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect the region from future flooding. Following Senate passage, this legislation is expected to move to the White House to be signed into law.

“Mother Nature has been relentless this year. From the winter ice storms to the May floods, it is clear that southern and eastern Kentucky has an urgent need for continued flood control projects,” said Rogers. “The devastation from rushing flood waters has damaged our communities but it has not dampened our spirit. This funding will go a long way toward repairing the destruction of these storms and help to protect our families and our communities from future natural disasters.”

The FY 2010 Energy & Water Appropriations Conference Report 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.

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.