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HJR 51

A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to evaluate and report on the repair or replacement of the Great Crossing Dam and declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session

The bill sets a formal process to study, publicly consider, and fund repair, replacement, or removal of the Great Crossing Dam with safety, water quality, and local impacts guiding

to Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (H)
#effectivedates #emergency #fishandwildlife #huntingandfishing #parksandshrines #reportsmandated #stateagencies #waterwaysanddams
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Bill Summary · HJR 51

Summary of HJR 51 (Great Crossing Dam)

Overview

HJR 51 is a joint resolution directed at the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (DFWR) to evaluate and report on the repair or replacement of the Great Crossing Dam in Georgetown, Kentucky. The measure states an emergency declaration and sets a detailed process for public engagement, bidding, and studying the consequences of demolition versus repair or replacement. It aims to balance public safety with water quality, recreation, and local economic impacts.

Context and Rationale

  • The Great Crossing Dam is a low-head dam on North Elkhorn Creek near Great Crossing Park in Scott County.
  • Historical drownings at the site (May 5, 2021 and August 7, 2022) highlight safety concerns.
  • Debates have centered on renovating/removing the dam, with removal potentially affecting irrigation, water recreation, and fishing.
  • The resolution emphasizes preserving and maintaining waterways while prioritizing public safety.

Key Provisions

Section 1 – Delay of Demolition (Emergency Trigger)

  • If funds for replacement are not approved and appropriated by the General Assembly (or other sources) by June 1, 2027, DFWR must delay demolition of the Great Crossing Dam until after December 31, 2027.

Section 2 – Bidding and Public Engagement

  • Quarterly, in-person, public meetings in Scott County from the effective date through December 31, 2026.
  • Monthly written updates to the Scott County Fiscal Court and Georgetown City Council until December 31, 2027.
  • In-person updates to those bodies twice yearly until December 31, 2027.
  • Bid solicitations:
    • For required structural repairs and safety features by August 1, 2025; bids due and reported by September 15, 2025 to specified local and legislative bodies.
    • For replacement of the dam (including safety features) by October 1, 2025; bids due and reported by November 15, 2025 to specified local and legislative bodies.

Section 3 – Feasibility Study on Demolition Impacts

  • DFWR (or designee) must study and report by December 31, 2025 on the consequences of demolishing the dam, covering:
    • Water quality and upstream/downstream pools
    • Sewer discharge impacts from Georgetown’s treatment facility
    • Traffic and access (pedestrian, vehicular, marine)
    • Economic and socioeconomic effects on neighborhoods, outdoor recreation, and local businesses
    • Impacts on upstream/downstream agriculture and fish/aquatic life
  • The study must also identify:
    • Possible safety measures (access restrictions, signage, buoys)
    • Potential restricted funds and funding sources for repairs or replacement
    • Federal/state grant opportunities

Section 4 – Stakeholder Consultation

  • Before completing the study, DFWR must consult a wide list of entities, including county officials, city officials, chambers of commerce, emergency services, homeowner associations, conservation districts, water/sewer boards, tourism organizations, Ducks Unlimited, sportsmen and fishing groups, and adjacent property owners, among others.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Scott County Fiscal Court; Georgetown City Council; Georgetown/Scott County parks and recreation entities.
  • Local residents, property owners upstream and downstream, recreational users (fishermen, boaters, kayakers), and local businesses.
  • State-level legislative committees and interim joint committees related to appropriations, tourism, local government, and economic development.

Procedural and Timeline Highlights

  • Introduced: February 18, 2025; Read first time March 3, 2025; referred to Tourism & Outdoor Recreation (H).
  • Legislative companions: SJR 7 and SJR 67 (companion bills).
  • Key deadlines include: bids by 2025, study by end of 2025, ongoing public meetings through 2026, and potential demolition delay through 2027 contingent on funding decisions.

Implications

  • The resolution creates a formal, multi-year process to assess whether to repair, replace, or remove the dam, with heavy emphasis on public input, local-government coordination, safety, and fiscal feasibility.
  • It provides a structured pathway for funding exploration and requires consideration of wide-ranging community and environmental impacts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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