Barr Meets with Edmonson County Officials to Address Water Infrastructure, Park Policy, and Transportation Concerns

 

 

Lynn Bledsoe

Gimlet Managing Editor

 

EDMONSON COUNTY, Ky. — U.S. Congressman Andy Barr met with local leaders during a visit to Edmonson County, where he joined officials for supper at the Porky Pig Diner before participating in a detailed policy discussion regarding several longstanding challenges facing the community.

Barr expressed interest in the county’s history and demographics and asked local officials about both current needs and past voting trends. The meeting included Judge/Executive Scott Lindsey, State Rep. Michael Meredith, and Magistrates Anthony Hennion, TJ Massey, and Mark Meeks.

 

 

Water Infrastructure Dominates Discussion

Officials identified the county’s water system as the most urgent concern. Meredith outlined the consequences of the federal removal of Lock and Dam No. 5 on the Green River. According to Meredith, Edmonson County was not given a choice in the matter, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was acting under federal directive.

The initial removal caused the river level to drop rapidly, prompting a temporary halt while potential solutions were evaluated. After work resumed and the structure was fully removed, water levels fell even further than anticipated.

• Current river levels are 4 to 6 feet lower than projected.
• During summer and drought periods, levels can fall 8 to 10 feet lower than before the removal.
• The Edmonson County Water District is now in need of a new intake system.
• Although federal budget proposals sponsored by Congressman Brett Guthrie and Senator Mitch McConnell include funding for the project, local officials emphasized that the county is not guaranteed to receive the full amount — or any portion — until the budgets are approved. They also reported damage to farmland and local bridges as a result of the dam removal.

Economic Impact of Mammoth Cave National Park

The group also addressed the financial implications of Mammoth Cave National Park, which occupies approximately one‑third of Edmonson County’s land area. While the county receives federal payments in lieu of taxes (PILT), officials described the arrangement as inequitable.

They noted that the county does not receive occupational tax or recreational tax revenue from the park, unlike other businesses operating within the county. As a result, Edmonson County bears the burden of hosting a major national attraction without receiving proportional economic benefit.

 

 

Ferry Operations and Flooding Concerns

Transportation issues related to the park were also raised, including the status of the Houchins Ferry and Green River Ferry. Houchins Ferry was permanently closed during the Obama era, and now the Green River Ferry has been out of use for a year due to damages with the floods. Flooding in February and April caused operational disruptions, damaged farmland, and negatively affected tourism — a key component of the local economy.

Lack of Interstate Access Limits Growth

Officials reiterated the county’s long‑standing transportation challenge: despite having one mile of interstate within its borders, Edmonson County has no on‑ramps or off‑ramps. This lack of direct access limits economic development and reduces the county’s ability to capture tourism traffic associated with Mammoth Cave.

Leaders noted that while the national park draws significant visitation, much of the economic benefit flows to neighboring Hart and Barren counties, which have direct interstate connections.

Impact to Tourism

Along with low water amounts on Edmonson County’s Blue Ways Trails local Brier Creek Campground at Nolin was also damaged by the floods. Estimated repairs can take up to another year to complete.