For Immediate Release
October 31, 2001
Contact: Terry Sebastian or Rusty Cheuvront (502) 564-2611 

Gov. Patton names Washington County first “Clean County”

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Governor Paul Patton today named Washington County as the first Certified Clean County in Kentucky at a roadside ceremony on Highway 55. 

“I congratulate the leadership in Washington County for their commitment to have a clean county,” Patton said.  “A mandatory solid waste collection service, combined with a commitment to keep the county clean, will virtually guarantee that Washington County will be one of the cleanest counties in the Commonwealth.” 

Washington County, which is dump-free after cleaning up 27 illegal dumps, is one of 13 counties participating in the program created by Governor Patton. 

The counties are Harlan, Bell, Kenton, Warren, Grant, Knott, Meade, Letcher, Menifee, Magoffin, Hardin and Pike. 

Under the program, counties must already have mandatory garbage collection ordinances in place. In return, the state reimburses counties for 75 percent of the direct expense of cleaning up illegal dumps. 

The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet will survey counties, with a local official, to identify illegal dumps and estimate the cost of cleanup. Counties must commit to clean up all identified illegal dumps, keep them clean and must employ a solid waste coordinator with enforcement powers. 

Washington County received a $60,000 state grant to clean up the illegal dumps.  The other 12 counties participating in the program have found more than 1,100 illegal dumps.           

Certified counties will gain extra points when applying for grants and get top priority for funds from the Division of Conservation State Cost Share program and the Waste Tire Trust Fund.           

Patton said he remains committed to a comprehensive solid waste program to be considered by the 2002 General Assembly. 

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