11:30 AM EDT on Thursday, July 6, 2006

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Congresswoman Anne M. Northup secured more than $5 million in federal funding for four Louisville projects, including funding that will help prevent flooding; restore animal habitat; and increase the numbers of trees, shrubs, and grasses.

“The projects in this bill will directly impact Louisvillians in many ways, including important steps to prevent homes from flooding and decreasing amounts of sewer overflow. In the end, we are trying to create a better environment and quality of life for our residents,” said Congresswoman Northup.

 “Over the past 8 years, Congresswoman Northup has secured approximately $18 million in federal funding, that matched with local drainage dollars, has resulted in the removal of 4,000 properties from the risk of flooding,” said Bud Schardein, director of MSD. 

The following projects will receive funding:

Beargrass Creek $600,000

Neighborhoods Affected: Hikes Point, Buechel, Dundee Estates, Germantown, and Camp Taylor

Funding for Beargrass Creek will provide protection against flooding along the South Fork of the creek and its tributary, Buechel Branch. Eight floodwater storage detention basins will be included, as well as changes to improve the water-way. In addition, trees, grasses, and shrubs will be added. Nine acres of hardwood trees will be planted to decrease the impact of flooding on fish and wildlife.

Pond Creek $3,948,000

Neighborhoods Affected: Okolona, Fairdale, and parts of Valley Station

The Pond Creek Project includes 20 miles of stream and consists of two detention basins, four miles of water flow improvements, a fifteen-acre project to restore habitat in the area, and creation of a recreation trail along the water-way. When the project is completed, approximately 1,600 homes from the 100-year floodplain will be removed, while reducing flood heights and frequency of flooding to a number of others.

Southwest Flood Damage Prevention Study $200,000

Neighborhoods Affected: South Louisville, Churchill Downs, and the University of Louisville

The Southwest Flood Damage Prevention Study encompasses the area south and west of downtown Louisville. The drainage area is approximately a 25 square mile area, contains approximately 68,000 houses and buildings, and includes landmarks such as the University of Louisville campus and Churchill Downs. The area suffers from chronic and frequent flooding, where basements and automobiles are consistently damaged by water.  The recommended plan will likely consist of multiple detention basins, which will hold flood waters until they can be safely released. The funding will complete the study phase of the project. 

Sewer Overflow Mitigation $1,000,000

Neighborhoods Affected: Beuchel, Hikes Point, and Highgate Springs

Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) is working to reduce the impact of combined and sanitary sewer overflows on streams, creeks and the Ohio River.  MSD devised a mitigation plan which will address this problem in the Hikes Point area and Western Louisville. The plan will improve aging sewer systems and local water quality.