LAKE CUMBERLAND READY
FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
(Frankfort, KY) – Governor Ernie Fletcher has directed state agencies
to work together to ensure visitors traveling to Lake Cumberland this
weekend have no problem finding open boat launching ramps and getting
to the water safely.
“The Memorial Day weekend is critical to starting a successful
summer vacation season” said Governor Fletcher. “We’ve
spent months extending boat ramps, increasing advertising and working
with local communities to prepare for the summer season so visitors will
not be inconvenienced. We want the traveler to enjoy the lake and know
that there is still plenty of water for all activities. “
State and local agencies have taken the following steps:
* Finalized the extension of 20 boat ramps which are now open and available
* Announced $860,000 will be spent to extend 29 additional boat ramps
in the coming weeks, which will increase the number available to nearly
50 ramps
* Reopened boat ramps at General Burnside Island State Park, with five
lanes, and Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, which features three lanes
* Partnered with the Kentucky Broadcasters Association to send public
service announcements promoting the lake to more than 300 radio and television
stations
* Created a map with directions to all open ramps (that will be updated
weekly). The map is available at www.KentuckyTourism.com (by clicking
on the “Lake Cumberland icon). In addition, the Kentucky Department
of Tourism has asked local tourism organizations to distribute copies
of the map to every Welcome Center in the state, local tourism offices,
as well as numerous local hotels, restaurants, gas stations, etc. in
the region.
* Worked with The Southern and Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association
(SEKTDA) to have phone operators available to answer lake and ramp questions.
They can be reached at 877-868-7735 or 511 in Kentucky.
* Strategically set up six variable traveler information message boards
on major highway routes into the lake area to assist tourists in accessing
information.
* Spent an additional $110,000 on advertising the lake area in key out
of state areas.
* Created additional parking and set up a shuttle service at General
Burnside Island State Park to assist boaters who may have to park farther
away due to increased usage
* Conducted a “media day” to give journalists a tour of the
lake, highlighting improvements and showcasing the nearly 38,000 acres
of water.
* Hired Hilda Legg as the Executive Director of Interagency Services
for the Lake Cumberland Region. She serves as Governor Fletcher’s
liaison to the area and coordinates the Commonwealth’s response
to the situation.
The Commonwealth took the steps above after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
decided to lower the lake to make needed repairs to Wolf Creek Dam, the
structure that creates the lake. That project is projected to take five
to seven years to complete.
State agencies assisting in the projects above include:
* The Kentucky Department of Tourism
* The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
* The Kentucky Department of Parks
* The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
* The Governor’s Office for Local Development
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