Nature-Based Solutions in Kentucky

Grant from EPA to incorporate Green Infrastructure solutions into the State Hazard Mitigation Plan

KAMM received a grant from EPA to incorporate Green Infrastructure solutions into the State Hazard Mitigation Plan. There have been significant efforts for EPA and FEMA to collaborate on flood-related mitigation efforts using nature based solutions.

Objective of the Grant: Incorporate Green Infrastructure (GI) and Low Impact Development (LID) concepts as nature based mitigation actions in the Commonwealth of Kentucky Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan.

 

 

Green Infrastructure Definition

Section 502 of the Clean Water Act defines green infrastructure as:

“…the range of measures that use plant or soil systems, permeable pavement or other permeable surfaces or substrates, stormwater harvest and reuse, or landscaping to store, infiltrate, or evapotranspirate stormwater and reduce flows to sewer systems or to surface waters.“

 

 

Learn More About KAMM Grant

Nature-based solutions provide a unique opportunity to strengthen natural resource management efforts and create a better, more resilient future for all Kentuckians.

EPA Presentation

Download the presentation by Drew Parker, EPA RIV, Incorporating Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development (LID) into State Hazard Mitigation Plan

Link to Incorporating Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development (LID) into State Hazard Mitigation Plan

KAMM/KDOW Presentation

Download the presentation by Carey Johnson, KAMM Past Chair and At-Large Representative Creating Resilient and Sustainable Communities for the 21st Century – Infusing nature-based solutions into Hazard Mitigation Plans

This presentation outlines the intent to create a Resilient Commonwealth.

Link to Creating Resilient and Sustainable Communities for the 21st Century – Infusing nature-based solutions into Hazard Mitigation Plans

 

Kentucky’s Efforts and Partners

Communities have been implementing nature based solutions for years.  Generally as a result of MS4 (Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System) programs or EPA consent decrees.

But…leveraging best practices from local stormwater programs with statewide planning and mitigation efforts in a systematic manner is a fairly new concept…at least in Kentucky.

Partners

  • EPA Region 4
  • FEMA Region IV
  • Kentucky Emergency Management
  • Kentucky Division of Water
  • The Nature Conservancy – Kentucky
  • Kentucky Association of Mitigation Managers (KAMM)

 

 

Why KAMM?

  • ASFPM state chapter 
  • Expansive network 
  • Outreach and Education 
  • Nature-based mitigation action training at priority areas 
  • Coordinating efforts from stakeholders from all participating agencies, including Area Development Districts (ADDs) for local hazard mitigation plan development

 

 

Kentucky’s Efforts and Partners

Communities have long been implementing nature-based solutions, typically as a result of MS4 (Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System) programs or EPA consent decrees.

However, leveraging best practices from local stormwater programs with statewide planning and mitigation efforts in a systematic manner is a fairly new concept, at least in Kentucky.

 

 

Kentucky’s Mitigation-related Collaborative Efforts

  • State Hazard Mitigation Council
    • Includes a quorum of the KAMM Board
  • Ohio River Basin Alliance
  • Dept. of Local Government (DLG) State Flood Control Match Fund
  • State-owned Dam Repair Fund
  • Kentucky Nature Preserves
  • Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Grants
    • HMGP (Hazard Mitigation Grant Program)
    • BRIC ( Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities)
    • FMA (Flood Mitigation Assistance)
  • Risk MAP (Mapping, Assessment and Planning)
  • Silver Jackets
  • Public Assistance 406 mitigation
  • Clean Water Act – CWA Section 319(h) watershed planning

 

Key Terminology

Nature-based solution: locally appropriate, cost-effective actions that mimic or support natural processes while simultaneously providing economic, social, and environmental benefits

Green Infrastructure: a type of nature-based practice that uses natural hydrological processes and natural elements such as soil and plants to capture stormwater and reduce flows to sewer systems or to surface water

Low-impact Development: a planning and design approach to manage stormwater runoff using green infrastructure

Co-benefit: shorthand for “collaborative benefit,” which are the multiple, sometimes multidisciplinary benefits that arise from a singular practice

Ecosystem service: benefits people obtain from ecosystems (e.g., food, water, oxygen)

Ecosystem-based management: an integrated management approach that considers the multiple and varied interactions within an ecosystem

Hazard Mitigation Plan: federally-mandated plan that aims to abate and prevent the impact of natural hazards, like floods, drought, tornados, mudslides.

Community Rating System: a voluntary, incentive-based community program that recognizes, encourages, and rewards local floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum standards of the National Flood Insurance Program

Watershed Management Plan: flexible framework that addresses water quality issues in a given watershed

 

 



Mitigation Matters!  

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KAMM is a non-profit 501 (c) (3).