Environment

Top managers at the Tennessee Valley Authority now make more than members of Congress, who are paid $174,000 annually.  The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports TVA is paying out nearly $30 million a year more for 155 of its top leaders since Congress removed salary limits at the federal utility in 2004.  Former TVA Director Skila Harris said the changes have helped the utility hire qualified workers, plant managers, technicians and executives.

The Earth’s ecosystems operate on a fragile balance between soil, water and wildlife.  In the early 20th century, a local drainage district upset this balance when it straightened and widened a Hickman County stream. It hoped to drain the land to add farmable soil to the area, but the stream clogged and farmers wound up with more water instead of less.

Scott Ellison says fishing is busting out all over, with bass and crappies leading the parade. 

This is the time of year when you’re reminded what is so great about living near Kentucky Lake. Fishing is busting out all over, with bass and crappies leading the parade.

Scott Ellison talks about Kentucky’s newest high school varsity sport—Bass Fishing.

The Nature Resources Conservation wants to turn flood lands in Fulton, Hickman, Carlisle, Ballard, and Graves Counties into wetland wilderness. Owners of easily-flooded crop or woodlands in those counties may be eligible to receive compensation for up to $3895 per acre of crop land and up to $1948 per acre of woodland while still retaining ownership. Western KY Project Director Shelly Morris says this is part of a nationwide effort to restore wetland habitats along the Mississippi River.

The US 68/KY 80 bridge over Lake Barkley at Canton is open again to traffic this morning following a strike by a fourteen barge tow early this morning.  The U.S. Coast Guard reports the Motor Vessel EVT was pushing the empty barges downriver when a gust of wind forced a controlled landing against one of the bridge piers.  The collision was severe enough that the lead barge was taking on water.  Kentucky Transportation spokesman Keith Todd says the Cabinet dispatched an inspector who reported no structural damage to the bridge.