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​The Agriculture Water Quality Authority was established by the Agriculture Water Quality Act (KRS 224.71-100 through 224.71-140) by the 1994 General Assembly.  The members of the authority are appointed by the governor to represent the state’s agriculture and environmental community while developing and supporting a statewide agricultural water quality plan.

The statewide agriculture water quality plan is an effort to produce a practical, flexible, coordinated natural resources management system that protects the waters of the Commonwealth and complies with applicable government rules and regulations. It is based on pollution prevention through the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs). KRS 224.71 defines BMPs as the most effective, practical and economical means of reducing and preventing water pollution. BMPs establish minimum acceptable quality levels of planning, siting, designing, installing, operating and maintaining agriculture and silviculture facilities and operations.

The current, approved BMPs can all be viewed here.

Upcoming meeting dates are below.  Unless otherwise specified, meetings will be held at 300 Sower Boulevard in Frankfort.  

Feb. 8, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. 
Feb. 12, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. (Livestock Subcommittee Meeting)
April 11, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at the Eden Shale Farm
Aug, 22, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at the Kentucky State Fair
Nov. 21, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.

Agriculture Water Quality Authority Members
MemberOrganization
Randy McCallonKentucky Association of Conservation Districts
John ChismKentucky Department of Agriculture
Amanda Gumbert UK College of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service
Larry Thomas Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation
VacantKentucky Division of Conservation
Beth WilliamsKentucky Division of Forestry
Chuck TaylorKentucky Geological Survey
Fred SipesMember-at-large Agr. Operations
Chris HowardEnvironmental Groups
Joseph SiskMember-at-large Agr. Operations
VacantNatural Resources Conservation Service (ex-officio)
VacantKentucky Division of Water (ex-officio)
VacantKentucky Department of Health Services (ex-officio)
Megan Bailey-KomarMember-at-large Agr. Operations
Dean SchamoreUS Farm Service Agency



Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet
300 Sower Blvd
Frankfort, KY 40601

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