What permits are needed and from what state and federal agencies?
River enhancements will require an Individual 404 permit and a Biological Assessment. A habitat survey should be conducted prior to the final design phase.The Division of Water’s Dam Safety program does not regulate this kind of structure. There are hundreds of in-stream structures in Kentucky that are remnants from the days when water-powered mills were common. There are a few in-stream structures (such as the one at Bardstown) that maintain pool elevations for water supplies. Failure of these types of structures would cause minimal, if any, damage other than loss of water supply. The Division has no regulatory authority regarding the navigability of streams in Kentucky. Changes proposed by Bardstown might require a floodplain construction permit, but only from the standpoint of stream obstruction and effects on upstream flooding.
