A Season of Weather Impacts
Nature-Based Hazard Mitigation
As we all know, this Summer has been one of relentless heat followed by excessive rainfall. So here is at least one solution:
KCC is an affiliate member of the Appalachian Flood Resilience Coalition—a coalition of local, regional and national nonprofits dedicated to research and issue-advocacy on federal policies that will create a more resilient Appalachian region. Following the devastating floods in 2022, the coalition worked toward solutions on the impacts of flooding, leading to the creation of a Flood Resilience in Appalachia platform in 2024.
Thursday, August 27th – 1 pm ET – Join the Appalachian Flood Resilience Coalition for a webinar exploring the potential for nature-based hazard mitigation to reduce the risks from flooding in the region. Event Registration Link HERE.
Appalachia's landscape, including our steep slopes and history of industrial activities, have made our communities uniquely vulnerable to flooding. Restoring and protecting the landscape, including via investments in nature-based solutions, are needed to better protect Appalachian communities. This webinar will explore the problems that need to be addressed as well as potential solutions and feature communities who have begun to implement these ideas at the local level.
Environment America asks— “Are Kentucky’s rivers and lakes safe for swimming?
In 2024–2025, 13 monitoring locations at rivers, streams and lakes were tested for fecal indicator bacteria in Kentucky. Testing found potentially unsafe contamination levels on at least one day at 10 of those locations, or 77% of monitored locations. Waterways may also have experienced contamination on days when testing did not take place. More from Environment America’s research and policy center here.
Solar Ordinance Proposal in Lexington
In March 2026, the Fayette County council approved a “ZOTA” (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment) that would allow a finite percentage (1%) of large-scale solar on agriculturally zoned land. The proposal included a performance bond for any decommissioning costs, required that all projects be agrivoltaic (combined agriculture and solar), and have 85% vegetative cover. The Urban County Council will be considering recommendations during their August 18th Work Session where there will be opportunities for the public to weigh in. We believe the Council workgroup’s proposal provides a thoughtful plan that encourages dual-use agriculture practices and we appreciate limiting projects to a 1% cap. But we invite you to share your own thoughts.
You can submit comments to Councilmembers by emailing councilmembers-email@lexingtonky.gov.
More background on the proposal can be found at the following links:
Solar Kentucky/Ky. Solar Energy Society Additional Background Information about what is being proposed.