Interview with William H. Martin

Partial Transcript: When did you go to state government?

Segment Synopsis: Martin gives an overview of the Kentucky River. He says that it is a valuable resource and is biologically unique. He compares it to the Cumberland River. He also talks about water pollution and the Kentucky River.

Keywords: Cumberland River; Kentucky Department for Natural Resources; Kentucky Palisades; Station Camp Creek

Subjects: Dams--Kentucky Kentucky River (Ky.) Locks (Hydraulic engineering)--Kentucky River (Ky.) Water--Pollution--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Well, let's get to your time on the Kentucky River Authority. How long were you on that?

Segment Synopsis: Martin talks about his time in the Kentucky River Authority. He says that they set up regulatory framework, refurbished dams, and established a fee system. He explains the politics behind getting the funding to refurbish the dams.

Keywords: Ford, Wendell; Kentucky River Authority; Refurbish dams; Shepherd, Phillip

Subjects: Dams--Kentucky Locks (Hydraulic engineering)--Kentucky River (Ky.) United States Army Corp of Engineers Water--Pollution--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: It has a big education effort, I think, ahead of it.

Segment Synopsis: Martin says that the next large job the Kentucky River Authority will have is educating people about keeping the river clean. He suggests they should accomplish this with little funding by keeping the staff to a minimum.

Keywords: Kentucky River Authority; Letcher County, Kentucky

Subjects: Coal mines and mining--Kentucky Kentucky River (Ky.) Water--Pollution--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What about the pipeline? Where do you stand on that?

Segment Synopsis: Martin says that a pipeline proposed by the Kentucky American Water Company is not needed. He points out that even during a bad drought in 1988, everyone had water that they needed.

Keywords: 1988; Kentucky American Water Company

Subjects: Droughts--Kentucky Kentucky River (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: What about the future of the river, let's finish up with that?

Segment Synopsis: Martin explains what he sees as the future of the river. He points out that communities such as Lexington, Kentucky will continue to grow and need the river more. He also talks about a museum that was planned but had stalled.

Keywords: Chenault; Lexington, Kentucky

Subjects: Kentucky River (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: But these counties and communities really ought to get together and talk about how this growth ought to be.

Segment Synopsis: Martin says that future growth needs to be planned and organized. He suggests sealing the locks shut for good.

Keywords: Kentucky River Authority

Subjects: Kentucky River (Ky.) Locks (Hydraulic engineering)--Kentucky River (Ky.)