August 2009 - Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

K E N T U C K Y F I S H & W I L D L I F E C O M M I S S I O N E R ’ S N E W S L E T T E R
INSIDE:
Dr. Rich
honored on
canvas
Page 7
Several hundred friends, relatives, coworkers,
and members of the law enforcement
community joined members of
the immediate family in a memorial service
at Salem United Methodist Church
in Scott County August 4, celebrating the
life and memory of Sixth District Captain
Tim Carlton who died on July 25, 2009.
About 100 Kentucky conservation officers
attended to honor Carlton, a 14-year
veteran of the KDFWR Law Enforcement
Division, and stood in formation in
a constant downpour through the entire
outdoor service.
Carlton was a past recipient of the
Conservation Officer of the Year, District
Officer
of the Year,
NWTF Officer
of the
Year, Waterfowl
Officer
of the Year
awards and
the Kentucky
State Police
Meritorious
Award for
a lifesaving
action.
2
New
director
August 2009
7
State
record carp
—VOL. 4 NO. 8—
Hundreds attend memorial
service for Captain Tim Carlton
He was a graduate of Eastern Kentucky
University and the Southern Police
Institute Administrative Officers Course.
Carlton is survived by his parents
Tom and Carole and two children, Mag-
gie, 10, and Max, 6. A trust fund for the
children, in the name Tim Carlton, has
been set up through Central Bank in Lexington
and contributions may be made at
any Central Bank location.
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More
piers

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K E N T U C K Y F I S H & W I L D L I F E C O M M I S S I O N E R ’ S N E W S L E T T E R
Kentucky Afield TV – the envelope please
By Charlie Baglan
It happens. You put your heart into a
project and nothing. Your best goes for
naught – and it’s not the first time. Look
till you turn blue, but “Atta boys” can be
few. This; however, is the story of two.
The first goes to “Kentucky Afield”
TV’s Nathan Sangster and Tim Farmer.
The second is for graphic artist Obie
Williams. The nods came in a big envelope
from the National Academy of
Television Arts and Sciences’ Ohio Valley
Chapter marked, “Emmy nominations.”
(Nobody in TV ever confuses these with
junk mail.) With the grin on their faces,
you’d think they had just been Oscarnominated.
Being honored by the best in
your biz makes you feel as if your fifteen
minutes have arrived and Ed McMahon
has bellowed it so. It’s Brobdingnagian
(you can Google it).
The pieces all the rage are the new
radically rocking show open Obie designed
somewhere in a dream along with
Tim and Nathan’s “Cooper, the blind dog.”
Keith Parker appointed new
Engineering Division director
Keith Parker is the new Director of the
Engineering Division. Keith is a Professional
Engineer and has been employed
since 1992 with the Department. He is
very familiar with the development projects
that the Department initiates and is
eager to work with all the divisions. Please
congratulate Keith and welcome him to
the non-merit world!
Airing originally in February, 2008, it’s
about the bond between man and beast.
This German shorthaired pointer is the
companion of Clark County’s Mike Cole.
It’s a touching story. Sorry, it’s an Emmyworthy
feature that we repeat as often as
Slone lets us. Of course, you can see Obie’s
awesome open on every show.
“Good job” doesn’t quite say it, but
seeing good guys coming to work with
purpose and confidence – not just a lunchbox
– does.
Meagan Huston was recently promoted
to the position of Administrative
Specialist III for the Engineering Division.
Meagan started her career working
in the Central Fishery District (Fish Lab)
in October 2005. Meagan will be handling
day to day administrative duties for
See “Director,” page 4

A U G U S T 2 0 0 9
Lt. Herb Booth, Sgt. Garry Clark and Lt. Greg Davis.
Booth, Clark, Davis among 20
DOCJT Police Supervision graduates
Law enforcement officers from 16 agencies
across the commonwealth were
recognized at a graduation ceremony July
31 for completing the Kentucky Department
of Criminal Justice Training’s
Academy of Police Supervision.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law
Enforcement Division lieutenants Greg
Davis of the Fifth District and Herb
Booth of the Eighth District, along with
Sergeant Garry Clark of the First District
were among the graduates.
APS, also called the sergeant’s academy,
is a three-week, 120-hour training
program targeted for newly promoted sergeants
or officers who are on their agency’s
promotion list to become sergeants.
“I didn’t always get what leadership
was… but finally, now today, I can tell
you the definition of leadership is rather
simple,” said Fayette County Sheriff Kathy
Witt, who served as guest speaker for the
ceremony. “…To be a leader you have to
accept the call of what God requires all of
us to do – to act justly and fairly to your
neighbor and fellow man, to have compassion
and to be loyal.”
While in APS, students participate in
classes focusing on the role of a supervisor,
as well as leadership, resolving conflict,
managing diversity, monitoring officer
performance, professional image, legal
issues for supervisors, ethics, interpersonal
communication, effective written communication,
making decisions, solving problems,
managing critical incidents, public
speaking, emotional survival, budgeting,
media relations and others.
“I believe leadership … requires us
to maintain our character and integrity. It
requires us to inspire and motivate others,”
Witt said.
The graduating class is the 33rd to
complete APS since the program began
in 2003.
Owensboro Police Department Sgt.
David M. Powell was chosen as class
speaker.
APS is a stepping stone to the Department
of Criminal Justice Training’s
Criminal Justice Executive Development
program, which is a five-week advanced
leadership course offered once a year for
supervisors at Kentucky’s small and medium-size
law enforcement agencies. Potential
CJED students must rank sergeant
or above and be selected by a committee to
take part in the course.
The Department of Criminal Justice
Training is a state agency located on
Eastern Kentucky University’s campus.
The agency is accredited by the Commis-
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APS 33 GRADUATES
AND THEIR AGENCIES
Lt. Herb Booth, Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Sgt. Brooke D. Borregard, Owensboro
Police Department
Sgt. Christopher D. Carpenter, Fort
Thomas Police Department
Sgt. Erik Wesley Caudill, Morehead
Police Department
Sgt. Garry D. Clark, Kentucky
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Resources
Sgt. J.C. Courtwright, Danville Police
Department
Lt. Greg Davis, Kentucky Department of
Fish and Wildlife Resources
Sgt. Brian S. Eaves, Richmond Police
Department
Corporal Randall E. Greene,
Hopkinsville Police Department
Sgt. Michael Keffer, Bowling Green
Police Department
Sgt. Michael S. Littlefield, Jefferson
County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Jason T. Morgan, Glasgow Police
Department
Sgt. David M. Powell, Owensboro Police
Department
Sgt. Thomas D. Schardein, Louisville
Metro Police Department
Sgt. Mac Slack, Radcliff Police
Department
Sgt. Jason B. Slone, Berea Police
Department
Sgt. Robert W. Stephens, Fayette
County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Bruce E. Turner, Louisville Metro
Police Department
Sgt. Rob K. Turner, University of
Kentucky Police Department
Corporal Chris Wolter, Daviess County
Sheriff’s Office
sion on Accreditation for Law Enforcement
Agencies and was the first accredited
public safety-training program in the
nation.
In 2006, the academy also became the
first law enforcement-training academy in
the nation to be designated as a CALEA
flagship agency.

4
“Director,” continued
the division along
with managing the
phone systems for
the Department.
Sorry about your
luck, Fisheries!
Seth Stewart
started July 16 as
the new supervisor
in the Information
Center. Seth served
as a sergeant in the
U.S. Marine Corps,
where his duties
included providing
security at
American embassies overseas. His stations
included Moscow and Helsinki.
He also served as an assistant at the
drill sergeant’s school at Fort Knox. Since
leaving the military, Seth has managed
restaurants for a major company. He also
earned undergrad and master’s degrees in
history from the University of Louisville.
Did we also mention he has a working
knowledge of the Russian and Mandarin
Chinese languages?
Josh Lillpop has been hired as the
new Habitat Improvement Team Biologist
for the Wildlife Diversity section. He
will be working along with several technicians
to improve wildlife habitat for our
species of greatest conservation need
throughout the state. The team is funded
through the State Wildlife Grant and
will be working exclusively on non-PR
funded public lands.
The team will be focusing the beginning
efforts in the Bluegrass Region and
later moving into other regions of the
state. They will assist public land managers
in getting on-the-ground habitat change
that will benefit those species listed in the
state wildlife action plan.
This is a great opportunity for the
department to improve habitat for those
species that have not received attention
due to lack of funding. These projects may
include timber stand improvement, exotic
K E N T U C K Y F I S H & W I L D L I F E C O M M I S S I O N E R ’ S N E W S L E T T E R
Information Center Supervisor
Seth Stewart. Dave Baker photo
species removal, water holes for amphibian
breeding, warm season grass establishment,
edge feathering and many more.
Josh completed three years
of school at EKU before taking
2 internships with TNC in 2004
and 2005. In 2006, he came to the
department as a technician with
the Landowner Incentive Program
and later became a Tech III in
charge of running the LIP crew
for about a year. He then returned
to Eastern Kentucky University to
finish his bachelor’s degree in the
fall of 2008.
Josh sees the potential for
great things to happen through
this program and is excited about
being a part of such a great team. An avid
angler and hunter, he loves the outdoors
and believes it is his calling to help protect,
preserve, and ensure the natural beauty
and diversity of our great state.
Jeremy Shiflet has been hired as
a Fisheries Biologist II in the Division
of Fisheries. He will be working in the
Northwestern Fishery District in Calhoun.
Jeremy will be the assistant fisheries
biologist in the district and will help manage
fish populations in a 14-county area.
Jeremy received his master’s degree in biology
from James Madison University and
was previously employed by the Virginia
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
as a Natural Resources Specialist. Jeremy
also worked in the Department’s Age and
Growth lab.
Doug Dawson was recently hired as
the new Environmental Section Chief. He
is vacating a Wildlife Biologist position
within the Environmental Section. Doug
brings with him over 15 years of experience
in state government, having worked
in three separate cabinets and an equal
number of agencies conducting environmental
assessments, NEPA compliance,
404 mitigation, habitat assessment, and
restoration projects.
Among his accomplishments are
negotiating mitigation guidelines with the
Corps of Engineers, establishment and fa-
cilitation of several large mitigation banks
across Kentucky, successfully negotiating
agreements for the transfer of mitigation
lands to KDFWR, and currently overseeing
KDFWR’s habitat conservation planning
grant for the Nisource Multi-State
Habitat Conservation Plan (the largest
HCP ever undertaken).
Please welcome Doug in his new role
and feel free to send him your questions
and/or requests.
Rob Lewis was recently hired as an
Engineer II in the FILO section. He is
an alumni of Centre College and UK and
is a licensed engineer. Rob is a Frankfort
native and has extensive training and experience
in natural channel design stream
restoration.
He will be working in the FILO section
helping with project delivery including
the development, design, cost estimation,
and construction oversight of stream
restoration projects. Please welcome Rob
to KDFWR.
Congratulations go out to Clifford
Scott on his recent promotion to Internal
Policy Analyst II in the Administrative
Services Division.
Clifford brings with him an extensive
background in grant management, business
management and a previous teaching career.
Clifford began as an accountant in the
accounting branch paying invoices, travel
documents and department contracts.
He has since moved into the Grants
Branch and began managing the State
Wildlife Grant program. He has transitioned
into managing Wildlife Restoration,
Endangered Species, Chronic Wasting
Disease and Farm Bill grant programs.
He has also completed the Basic
Grants Management Course through the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Please join
us in wishing Clifford good luck in his
new position.
On August 1, Megan Stout began her
duties with Law Enforcement Dispatch.
Megan has three years experience in 911
dispatch and is a welcome addition to our
team. Megan resides in Spencer County.

A U G U S T 2 0 0 9
Law Enforcement
retirements
On July 31, 2009, seven officers retired
from the Law Enforcement Division.
The retired officers represent a total of 136
years of Conservation Law Enforcement
experience.
The retirees and their assignments
are: Major David Casey (Headquarters),
26 years service. Major Casey retired as
the West Branch Commander. Captain
Howard “Doc” Hodges, 16 years service,
was the District 2 commander. Captain
Hodges was one of the founding members
of the Law Enforcement K-9 program and
one of the founders of the Game Warden
Diaries magazine. Sergeant Kenny Kemp
(Second District, Butler County), 22 years
service; Sergeant Phillip Bardin (Fourth
District, Taylor County), 19 years service;
Sergeant Robert Marango ( Third
District, Meade County), 22 years service;
Conservation Officer Ernie Akins (Fourth
District, Washington County), 22 years
service; and Conservation Officer Pat Payton
(Fourth District, Grayson County),
9 years service.
Major David Casey Sgt. Phillip Bardin, Officer Ernie Akins and Officer Pat Payton
Sgt.
Robert
Marango
Sgt. Kenny
Kemp and
Capt. Doc
Hodges
New conservation officers (from left)
Christopher King, Steven Combs
and Rodney Milburn took the oath of
office from Franklin Circuit Judge Kathy
Mangeot last week. King will be assigned
to Rockcastle County, Combs to Harlan
and Milburn to Meade. All previously
certified law enforcement officers, they
completed 10 weeks in Fish and Wildlife’s
academy and will now begin 12 weeks
with field training officers.
5
NEW CONSERVATION
OFFICERS

6
Dr. Rich honored for
Commission service
with painting by
Rick Hill
Fifth District Commission member Dr.
Jim Rich, when reappointed last year
by Gov. Steven Beshear to his ninth consecutive
term, became the Department’s
longest serving member of the Fish and
Wildlife Commission.
Now beginning his 34th year representing
the northern Kentucky area, his
long service was recognized with a surprise
presentation of a Rick Hill painting of
him, adorned in waders and fishing a
Kentucky stream.
Commissioner Jon Gassett, Deputy
Commissioner and longtime fishing
companion Benjy Kinman and Hill were
K E N T U C K Y F I S H & W I L D L I F E C O M M I S S I O N E R ’ S N E W S L E T T E R
joined by the entire commission in presenting
Rich the framed original painting.
Arnold Mitchell, commissioner of the department
when Rich was first appointed,
New state record bighead carp
Shawn Gilbert (left) displaying the new Kentucky hook and line state record bighead carp that
weighed 60 lbs, 8 oz. The fish was caught below Meldahl Lock and Dam.
was also on hand for the presentation.
The painting will appear on the cover
of the upcoming fall edition of Kentucky
Afield magazine.
Shawn Gilbert (of Falmouth, Kentucky)
got a little bit more than he expected
when he went fishing below Meldahl Dam
last month.
Fishing for catfish below the dam,
he unexpectedly hooked into and landed
what would become the new hook and line
state record bighead carp.
This new state record bighead carp
weighs in at 60 lbs, 8 oz, with a total
length of 46.5 inches. He caught the fish
using a live nightcrawler as bait.
While the bighead carp is considered
non-native, invasive and threatening to
Kentucky’s other sport fish species, one
positive thing that can be said about them
is that they sure do put up an impressive
fight on the other end of a fishing rod.
Shawn said it took about 25 minutes
to land the fish in the moving waters below
Meldahl Lock and Dam. This fish breaks
the current state record by almost 2 lbs.

A U G U S T 2 0 0 9
Trammel Creek
restoration
completed in
Allen County
The KDFWR Wetland and Stream
Mitigation Program recently completed
a 3,800-foot stream restoration project
on Trammel Creek in Allen County. The
construction was completed in August
2009 and tree planting will be completed
in winter 2009. Trout Unlimited has
shown interest in assisting with the tree
planting.
The project site was selected for restoration
due to the degraded stream habitat.
Degradation was caused from excessive
cattle grazing, stream side tree removal,
channel straightening and gravel dredging.
These impacts lead to excessive bank
erosion and channel widening.
As the channel widened the stream
lost its ability to effectively transport
material and the stream began to fill in
with sediment. This adjustment resulted
in a loss of pool habitat, channel migration
from bank erosion and siltation.
The leading causes of impairment in the
Green River basin are pathogens, siltation,
physical substrate habitat alteration
and nutrients (KYEPPC-DOW, 2008).
The goal of the project was to restore
the riffle/pool complexes, reestablish a
forested floodplain and eliminate cattle
grazing along the stream banks and riparian
areas.
Channel stability and fish habitat
structures such as log vanes, rock cross
vanes, constructed riffles and boulder
clusters were installed throughout the
project area. These structures are used
to create eddies and pools that are more
fishable.
A new treatment utilizing woody
debris and logs keyed into the bank below
the water surface, then overlaid with sod
was used to create an undercut bank for
fish habitat and bank protection.
Conservation easements were donated
by the landowners to protect the
project site in perpetuity.
The project was designed by Stantec
Consulting Services Inc. and constructed
by Bluegrass Stream. Funding was
provided by the NRCS and Kentucky
Wetland and Stream Mitigation Trust.
Due to the cold water supplied by
Trammel Creek before
the 3,800 foot stream
restoration project that was
completed in August 2009.
Trammel Creek after
completion.
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multiple springs near the area, Trammel
Creek is classified as a Class II trout
stream and managed as a put-grow-take
fishery for rainbow and brown trout.
The Trammel Creek stream restoration
project is another example of
KDFWR’s ongoing efforts to protect and
restore aquatic habitat in Kentucky.
For more information, contact Joseph
Zimmerman in the Division of Fisheries/
Environmental Section at 502-564-3400
extension 4453.

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K E N T U C K Y F I S H & W I L D L I F E C O M M I S S I O N E R ’ S N E W S L E T T E R
Dix River WMA showcases
wetland restoration
Wherever possible, wildlife biologists
try to create wetlands – in particular,
shallow water areas – for wildlife.
Wetlands are among the most productive
biological systems on the planet. They not
only provide habitat for a fantastic diversity
of wildlife, but they also filter sediment
and chemicals from water, reduce the impacts
of flooding and drought, and support
billions of dollars in recreational activities.
Unfortunately, about 80% of Kentucky’s
wetlands have been destroyed or
significantly impaired. However, KDF-
WR is working with a variety of partners
and sources of funds to restore and create
wetlands and recover their many benefits.
Dix River WMA in Lincoln County
is a showcase of wetland restoration. Since
KDFWR acquired the 401 acres, it has
pursued creating as much shallow water
on this area as possible.
Brian Gray, a public lands biologist
in the Southeast Region, says the entire
See “Dix,” page 11
A wetland
impoundment
created by
construction of a
levee (low dam)
and removal of
drainage tiles.
Brian Clark photos
Bottomland hardwood trees such as pin
oak, bur oak, swamp white oak, pecan
and shellbark hickory are planted in
some wetland projects to enhance the
wildlife and water quality benefits.
Water control structures are devices installed
in the drainage pipe of levees to allow
biologists to capture water then drain it over
time to provide shallow water and promote
beneficial plants. Here, Brian Gray removes
one of the “boards” covering the drainage
pipe’s opening to allow some of the water
to drain out of an impoundment and allow
summer plant growth.
Brian surveys a sinkhole discovered in a wetland
impoundment on the Dix River WMA. Sinkholes
appear on wetland projects, where sections of
drainage tiles lie beneath the surface and the soil
erodes around them.

A U G U S T 2 0 0 9
New fishing piers at Sportsman’s Lake
and General Butler State Park
Engineering Division recently completed
construction and installation
of two new fishing piers located at the
Upper Sportsman’s Lake and General
Butler State Park.
The new fishing pier at the Sportsman’s
Lake replaces the existing fishing
pier that was in need of much renovation
and repair. The fishing pier at General
Butler State Park was constructed in partnership
with State Parks. Both of these
fishing piers are part of the Department’s
Strategic Plan objective of constructing
fifteen new bank fishing access sites by
the end of FY 2012.
In terms of boat ramp construction,
a new boat ramp was recently completed
in Whitley County called Redbird Boat
Ramp. This ramp was completed during
the third week of July and is located along
the Cumberland River near the community
of Redbird (roughly six miles west of
Williamsburg). This new single lane boat
ramp will accommodate up to 10 vehicles
with trailers, with parking for an additional
five single vehicles.
The new Ghent Boat Ramp is estimated
to be roughly three weeks away
from completion. This ramp is located in
Carroll County on the Ohio River and
will provide parking for up to 16 vehicles
with trailers. This new boat ramp will
service the needs of boaters who desire to
fish below Markland Dam.
Oneida Boat Ramp is estimated to
be roughly two weeks away from completion
and is located in Clay County along
the South Fork of the Kentucky River.
This new boat ramp will provide a single
lane boat ramp and parking for up to 10
vehicles and boat trailers.
Lastly, the new boat ramp near the
town of College Hill is roughly 50%
completed. This new boat ramp is located
in Madison County along the Kentucky
River on Hwy 977. Once completed, this
single lane boat ramp will provide parking
for up to 10 vehicles and boat trailers.
These four boat ramps will bring
the Department close to achieving its
Strategic Objective of constructing
The new fishing pier at the Upper Sportsman’s Lake.
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seven boating access sites by the end of
FY 2009. Annually, the Engineering
Division works diligently to construct and
maintain boating access sites and fishing
access sites throughout Kentucky.
General Butler State
Park’s new fishing pier.

10
K E N T U C K Y F I S H & W I L D L I F E C O M M I S S I O N E R ’ S N E W S L E T T E R
Donan and Georgia “Jo” Jenkins
Scholarship Fund recipients
Congratulations to the 2009 recipients
of the Donan and Georgia “Jo” Jenkins
Scholarship Fund.
John Evan Akers, son of John Akers,
Maintenance Section Supervisor in
our Engineering Division, is a scholarship
winner. John Evan is attending the
University of Kentucky and majoring in
Mechanical Engineering.
Rebecca Ann Patton, daughter of
Deputy Commissioner Hank Patton and
Susan Patton, also is a scholarship recipient.
Rebecca will be attending Eastern
Kentucky University this fall and plans to
major in Communications.
The Donan and Georgia “Jo” Jenkins
Scholarship was created and funded by
retired 2nd District Law Enforcement
Captain, Donan Jenkins. This scholarship
is available for college bound children of
current or retired non-Law Enforcement
KDFWR employees.
SOUTHWARD BOUND
Signaling autumn’s
approach, purple martins
are assembling into
groups and beginning their
long migration to South
America. This group joined
a few residents, circled the
area for about 10 minutes,
and then as if on cue, took
off together. This time
of year the birds usually
join a large communal
roost that can consist of
a hundred thousand birds
or more. Then after a few
weeks they begin their
migration. We’ll look for
them again in early spring.
(Left to right) John Akers, John Evan Akers, Rebecca Patton, Susan Patton and Hank Patton.
A total of $3,000 is available for up to
three applicants.
Jenkins also established a scholarship
fund for Law Enforcement employees
only that is administered by the Kentucky
Conservation Officers Association.

A U G U S T 2 0 0 9
Meece Middle School visits
Camp Earl Wallace
Approximately 90 fifth graders and a
few teachers and chaperones from
Somerset’s Meece Middle School arrived
Friday, April 24, for their second annual
field trip to Camp Earl Wallace.
This year when CEPL Betty Lewis
returned to teach conservation, the teachers
were waiting anxiously to find out if
they could have the field trip again, exclaiming,
“We would even pay if we have
to!” The staff at Meece seems to have a
very high value for outdoor education and
have eagerly taken part in all KDFWR
programs offered.
When the buses arrived about midmorning,
the students were welcomed and
given instructions on what to expect for
the day. Students and teachers broke into
three groups and went in rotation to three
different activities planned and staffed by
KDFWR employees.
At the fishing dock they received basic
fishing instruction and got to fish with
Jamie Alton and Marc Johnson (both
with Aquatic Ed) and John Coffey.
For “Animal Adventures,” they had
lots of fun learning about animal artifacts
with Scott Couch and Thomas
Blackwell. While at “Outdoor Survival,”
they learned to “Hug a Tree” and build a
shoestring shelter with Betty Lewis and
Joyce Fitzgerald.
After the activities, the students ate
their school-prepared lunch in the cafeteria
and afterwards entertained everyone with
renditions of their lessons on Black Bears
in Kentucky. Great fun was had by all.
Over the weekend some parents from
Meece called to register their children for
Camp Earl Wallace for this summer.
“My teachers at Meece have stressed
that Outdoor Recreational Sports are so
very important to our young students,”
said Lewis. “Having the ability to add
the hands-on experiences to my school
programs with this field trip to camp offers
an invaluable chance for these students to
make a definite connection from the classroom
to the outdoors while having trained
staff ready to answer their questions. The
“Dix,” continued
11
WMA is flooded at times because it
is so flat and surrounded by the river
and streams. Normally, water on the
WMA’s fields is confined to wetland
impoundments that were designed by
KDFWR staff working together with
Ducks Unlimited, the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and the Kentucky
Division of Water.
Most of the WMA was historically
cropped. Drainage ditches and underground
tiles helped dry the area enough
during the growing season to allow
farmers to plant and harvest. To restore
the land’s original wetland functions,
some of these water diversions must be
removed or altered. In some cases, levees
(low dams) are constructed to help the
land hold water again.
Most of the wetland restoration on
Dix River WMA was made possible
by the Wetland Reserve Program, a
USDA program that helps landowners
with projects like this. A portion of
the wetland work done to date on the
WMA was funded through our Wetland
and Stream Mitigation Program.
Brian worked with Mike Hardin
and Doug Dawson from KDFWR’s
Environmental Section staff to design,
fund and construct projects.
Some of the wetlands have been
planted to bottomland hardwood trees,
which will provide important food
and cover to wildlife for generations to
come. Nesting boxes have been placed
around the WMA for wood ducks and
songbirds such as eastern bluebirds, tree
swallows and prothonotary warblers.
only way to improve on this is to have them
all come to camp this summer!”
Special thanks to all who helped
with this event and also to Camp Earl
Wallace’s Rockie Frost, Montie Frost
and John Cooper.

12
K E N T U C K Y F I S H & W I L D L I F E C O M M I S S I O N E R ’ S N E W S L E T T E R
“STEP OUTSIDE”
Department staff invited members of the Interim
Joint Committee on Natural Resources and the
Environment to “Step Outside” during their meeting
at Kentucky Dam Village July 30. Clockwise, from
left: Officer Scott Barrow and Major David Casey
help LRC staffers on the pistol range. David Hale
and Harold Knight attended and spoke with Captain
Larry Ashford. Tim Slone gave Senator Gary Tapp
some archery pointers. Lt. Chad Parker and Officer
Greg Youree fried catfish, fries and hush puppies, and
Officer Brad Lowe gave shotgun tips.