Three projects earn financial support from the 2016 American Water Environmental Grant Program

Three projects in Kentucky have earned financial support from the 2016 American Water Environmental Grant Program. Projects coordinated by the Licking River Watershed Watch, Friends of Parks in Fayette County and Friends of Stoner Creek will receive a share of grant funds totaling $11,300.

Since the grant program’s inception in 2006, Kentucky American Water has awarded more than $174,000 in grant funds to area organizations making a difference to protect and preserve Kentucky watersheds and highlight the importance of water in our lives.

“Data Driven Clean Water,” coordinated by the Licking River Watershed Watch in partnership with Friends of Stoner Creek, Strodes Creek Conservancy, Kentucky Division of Water, Northern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, and Fouser Environmental. The project will involve monitoring water quality for E. coli and nutrients in the Licking River Watershed. Grant award is $3,500.

“Riparian vegetation showcase on Wolf Run at Clays Mill Road,” coordinated by Friends of Parks in Fayette County, in partnership with Friends of Wolf Run, Bluegrass Woodland Restoration Center, Fayette County Public Schools and Good Foods Co-op. The project will involve removing alien weeds and planting native species in former residential lots that have been acquired by the city of Lexington using FEMA funds, and now converted to riparian greenways after the removal of all structures. The project will be concentrated in three lots adjacent to roads at the intersection of Clays Mill Road and Southbend Road. The grant award is $5,000.

“Bourbon County Tire Removal and Tree Planting,” coordinated by Friends of Stoner Creek in partnership with Bourbon County Road Department, Bourbon County Boy Scouts, Bourbon County Extension Agency, Future Farmers of America – Bourbon County, and 4-H Bourbon County, will continue efforts to remove tires from Stoner Creek and its tributaries and plant trees along the same, in order to improve water quality. Stoner Creek is the source of water for the City of Paris and Millersburg. The grant award is $2,800.

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 6:54 AM with the headline "Three projects earn financial support from the 2016 American Water Environmental Grant Program."