Rogers has Requested a $1.25 Million Earmark for a Floodwall Study

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers invited Col. Eric Crispino, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Louisville District and his team to Beattyville, Kentucky to meet with Chuck Caudill, Lee County Judge Executive; Scott Jackson, Mayor of Beattyville; Teresa Mays, Downtown Beattyville Development Manager; State Rep. Bill Wesley; and Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers. Congressman Rogers orchestrated the meeting to discuss flood prevention options for the City of Beattyville, including the possibility of adding a floodwall along the Kentucky River. 

Lee County is one of several Kentucky counties that were impacted by historic flooding earlier this year, leaving downtown Beattyville under more than six feet of water before the swollen river began to recede. 

"The Corps and I have a long history of working together, with successful flood control projects spanning all of our communities along the Cumberland River, the Big Sandy River and more. As we begin preliminary steps, I have requested $1.25 million in federal Community Project Funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a study for a potential floodwall in downtown Beattyville," said Congressman Rogers. "The earmark request must go through the federal appropriations process, so it is not guaranteed money, but the request is in place and I hope that it will be approved. Our main goal is to protect our families and businesses in Lee County for years to come. We never want to see a flood like this again."

Lee County was one of nine Kentucky counties approved for individual and public assistance from FEMA in President Biden's Major Disaster Declaration for the historic flooding that began on February 28, 2021. 

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is ready to respond to the needs of state and local communities, other Federal agencies, and the Armed Services, by addressing water resource problems when called upon," said Col. Crispino. "We are proud to be in Beattyville today to discuss concerns over areas severely impacted by the spring 2021 floods. At the request of Congressman Rogers, we are here to provide information on potential authorities that could be used to assist Beattyville and Lee County.”

The Kentucky River is formed by the confluence of the North, Middle and South forks near Beattyville. 

Congressman Rogers' earmark request for Beattyville is one of ten Community Project Funding requests allotted to Members of the U.S. House of Representatives through the House Appropriations Committee as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Process. 

Beattyville Flood Prevention Announcement 

Rogers & Army Corps Meet with State & Local Officials About Flood Prevention in Beattyville