Focus Watersheds

Watershed Improvement Program

The Clarks Run, Hanging Fork , and Hinkston Creek Watershed Improvement Program is designed to improve water quality in the focus watersheds through implementation of the watershed-based plans (WBP) for Clarks Run and Hanging Fork watersheds, both in the Kentucky River Basin, and Hinkston Creek watershed in the Licking River Basin. The main goal of the program is to reduce human and livestock fecal inputs, increase and improve riparian buffer areas to reduce erosion, sedimentation, and nutrient loading in streams, and decrease other non-point source pollutants from urban and agricultural stormwater runoff.

Objectives include educating local homeowners, landowners, and students, enabling better septic system function, enhancing riparian zones, and building watershed stakeholder capacity for the long-term appreciation, understanding, and improvement of each watershed and its tributaries. To reach these objectives, Bluegrass Greensource offers education opportunities to increase knowledge of local water quality issues for local citizens, officials, and K-12 students and collaborates with county partners to provide input and financial and technical support for implementing best management practices.

Cost-Share Programs Available

Septic System Pumpout Program –Fully Covered up to $450
Septic System Repair Program – 80/20 Cost-Share
Riparian Buffer Establishment Program – Reimbursable up to $2,000 with 20% cost-share

Septic Pumpout and Repair Program:

Septic Care Workshops offered once a year
No-cost septic system pumpout service

Available to those who attend the workshops, if necessary
Riser installation included up to a designated amount, if deemed necessary

Cost share applications offered for septic system repair or installation
- 1. Solution for those with chronically failing systems or straight pipe conditions
  2. Based on guidance from the County Health Department
Available to those who attend the workshops
Applications reviewed and prioritized for assistance awards
Stay tuned for more information at bggreensource.org/septic-care-workshops/

Riparian Buffer Program:

Saving Your Streambank Workshops offered once a year
1. 1. Education on local watersheds and water quality
  2. The benefits of streamside buffers
  3. How to plant and maintain a riparian buffer
  4. Financial assistance options available to landowners (e.g. EQIP, CRP, State Cost-Share, BGGS mini cost share grants)
Mini cost share applications offered for buffer establishment up to a designated amount

Available to those who attend the workshops
Solution for smaller landowners

Stay tuned for more information at bggreensource.org/riparian-buffers/

How do I know if I am eligible for funding?

Reside within the Hinkston Creek, Clarks Run, or Hanging Fork watershed
Attend a workshop hosted by Bluegrass Greensource
Submit a signed application on or before the due date

Find out if you live in a watershed area eligible for funding assistance using the maps below:

Scroll down to find the Hinkston Creek, Clarks Run, or Hanging Fork watershed map. Click the magnifying glass in the upper right corner of the map and type your address into the white box and click enter. Use the + and – boxes in the upper left corner to zoom in and out on the map.

Hinkston Creek Watershed

Clarks Run Watershed

Hanging Fork Watershed

This work was funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under §319(h) of the Clean Water Act.

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