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1999 Countryside Exchange

Oldham County, KY

"Creating a Vision for the Future"

Community Description

Oldham County was a quiet, prosperous farm community until the 1960s when Louisville's suburbs, creeping ever northward, brought new development - and new challenges - to the County. Attracted by its pastoral beauty, high-quality schools, well managed government, scenic roads and horse farms, people flocked to Oldham's open land and new subdivisions. In the last three decades, Oldham has been among the fastest growing counties in the state with its population jumping from 14,687 in 1970 to 33,263 in 1990.

The U.S. Census bureau projects that the County's population will double between 1990 and 2020, from 30,608 to 60,875. Residents have mixed emotions about those forecasts. The County's budget is showing the strain of providing services to newcomers and there are concerns about whether County services and local planning efforts are adequate to manage the continued growth. Without carefully managed development, Oldham County's quality of life and its natural beauty could be diminished.

The Countryside Exchange was invited to bring new ideas and techniques to the table as the County updates its comprehensive plan. The planning process, which is scheduled to be completed by Spring, 2000, divides the County into eight sub-regional areas. Each sub-regional area is required to consider how it will achieve the defined county goals and objectives. The Countryside Exchange team was invited to assist residents with the planning process in three of those areas: Goshen, Brownsboro and Westport/L'Esprit.

Community Issues

More than one hundred residents came together to plan for the arrival of the Countryside Exchange team. Through a series of public meetings, they identified 4 key questions to be addressed, each related primarily to issues of growth and land use. The fundamental question was how to promote growth while being good stewards of the County's abundant natural resources. Specifically, the community asked the Exchange team to consider the following questions.

• How can we determine what mix of land uses and development density are desirable and cost effective, so that we can protect our natural resources while recognizing the rights of private property owners?
  • What tools, techniques and incentives can be used to achieve the desired development patterns?
  • How can we use design more effectively?
  • Given ever increasing land costs, how can we ensure that there will be housing in the county that is affordable for our children and lower-income residents?
  • How can we create ordinances that have "teeth" and encourage enforcement?
  • How do we match infrastructure and services to desired growth rates and development patterns?

 

• What is the optimal mix of residential, commercial and industrial development required to support county outlays?
  • What kinds of businesses are most appropriate and where should they be located?
  • What is the value to the county of farmland vs. subdivision development?
  • How do we preserve and expand the equine industry in Oldham County? What kinds of planning tools and economic incentives are available to preserve horse farms? What is the tourism potential of the equine industry?

 

• How can we improve recreation opportunities for the residents of Oldham County?
  • How do we make residents more aware of existing recreational opportunities?
  • How do we establish and connect recreational trails?
  • How can we make bicycle routes safer?
  • What is the potential for recreation along the Ohio River?
  • How do we ensure that our waterways and land are protected from pollution?

 

• How do we protect tributaries from run-off related to farms and development?
  • What regulations are needed to ensure that solid waste is managed safely and with consideration to the environment?
  • What regulations are needed to ensure that river bank slopes and flood plains are protected?

Exchange Team Report

Introduction

The Countryside Exchange Team visited Oldham County from November 4th through 12th, 1999. The community asked the Team to address the broad question, "How can residents of Oldham County promote growth while being good stewards of their community's abundant natural resources?"

Using that question as a guide, the Exchange Team entered into extensive discussions with the citizens of Oldham County to find out what their hopes and fears are for the future. Those discussions took many forms including meetings with local government officials, three visioning sessions, aerial, driving and farm tours and five themed roundtables. By the end of the Exchange week, the Team had spoken with some 400 Oldham County residents representing a wide cross section of the community.

Key Issues

Based on the information gathered and the detailed questions posed by the community, the team identified five key issues to be addressed in their report.

• Managing growth through efficient land use.
• Sustaining and diversifying the economy.
• Involving the community.
• Preserving and enhancing the natural and cultural resources.
• Expanding recreational opportunities.

General Observations & Conclusions

In recent years Oldham County has experienced the most intense growth in its history. While this growth is expected to continue and possibly even accelerate, population growth is not the issue. Rather, the problem is sprawling development in the form of spreading, low density, totally automobile dependent housing, shopping, and industrial parks.

Development in Oldham County currently consumes large amounts of land, reduces agricultural and natural areas into small parcels that are expensive to buy, maintain, and service with tax supported infrastructure. This uncoordinated growth threatens natural resources including water supplies, diminishes the County's character, increases taxes and traffic, and ultimately destroys the very features that make Oldham County a desirable place to live.

Oldham County is at a turning point. During the next 20 years, it is estimated that its total population will increase by more than 18,000, requiring some 7,600 new housing units. In Brownsboro, Goshen, and Westport a population increase of close to 8,000 is expected to require more than 3,300 new housing units. If the current pattern continues, more than 9,000 acres of land will be developed in the County, almost 4000 acres of which will be in Brownsboro, Goshen, and Westport. Additional schools, places for work, shopping, recreation and relaxation will also require more land to be developed. The short and long-term costs of this development will be enormous. Currently, Oldham County development patterns are using land inefficiently, increasing dependency on automobiles and proceeding without regard to available infrastructure and municipal services. The cumulative effect of this pattern is to diminish the character of the County, making it less desirable for residents, visitors and business alike.

Avoiding the current pattern of development can have several positive results:

• Conserve natural and historic resources;
• Protect open space areas - woodlands, wetlands, watersheds, and agricultural businesses;
• Revitalize towns and communities;
• Reduce congestion on roads;
• Save tax dollars and utility infrastructure costs; and
• Retain and attract businesses and jobs.

At the various meetings and roundtables, the team heard a consensus developing that favored growth but with a change - one that would bring about concentrated growth rather than seeing it continue to spread across the countryside. Citizens of Oldham County have a vision - the creation of livable landscapes as an alternative to the current pattern of development.

The establishment of livable landscapes will provide a framework for growth and protection strategies within Oldham County. The area is defined by its diverse and livable landscapes. This diversity is what makes the County a unique and special place. Citizens identified four distinct landscape types in the County: Natural; Rural; Suburban; and Town. Strategies appropriate for the intensity and variety of development will vary for each of these landscapes. The Suburban and Town landscapes have traditionally been centers for development and have the infrastructure to best accommodate the anticipated future population. The Rural and Natural landscapes, because of their important open space, environmental, scenic, and agricultural business resources are least appropriate for development and should be protected from intense growth.

The current development pattern in Oldham County is diminishing not only the scenic beauty of the County, but also the livability of the County for current and future generations. That pattern is not only creating dull landscapes, but a weakened landscape, robbed of the vitality created by the interaction of people with each other and with nature. The agricultural business base is also being eroded and the creation of look alike subdivisions is weakening the County's historical and cultural roots. The ultimate result will be frustration and dissatisfaction with the quality of the life in Oldham County.

Actions must be taken to change the current pattern of development and to protect and enhance the County's landscape assets. This will require tough decisions on the part of Fiscal Court, Planning & Zoning, and the citizens of Oldham County. Development must be compatible with each of the County's four landscape types. The citizens of Oldham County must use the comprehensive plan, both as a means for developing a vision of their future and then as a tool to achieve a new land use plan.

In summary, what the Team heard from the citizens of Oldham County is that they want a growth strategy that will preserve and enhance the unique character of the County landscape by concentrating growth in the most appropriate areas.

Issue 1: Managing Growth Through Efficient Land Use

A. Broad Recommendations

Oldham County is defined by its diverse and distinctive landscapes. This diversity is what makes the County a unique and special place. Consider the creation of a zoning and land use map that reflects the integral assets of each landscape in the County. These landscapes would be -

• Town and suburban landscapes. These have traditionally been centers for development, and have the infrastructure to best accommodate the anticipated future growth in population. (See Appendix: Community Design Guidelines)

• Natural and rural landscapes. These have traditionally been important open space, environmentally sensitive, scenic, and agricultural business resources, and are least appropriate for intense development.

• Include the concept of centers in the comprehensive plan. Centers should exist in the rural and suburban landscapes. These centers would serve as focal points of existing and future growth in these landscapes. New development within and adjacent to centers should be appropriate to the landscape where it is located. Centers should be identified by consultation with citizens and local officials in a public participation program. There should also be analysis of the ability of existing infrastructure, and environmental constraints to support a center. (See Appendix: Village Centers)

• Incorporate the concept of corridors in the comprehensive plan. Corridors are land areas along major transportation routes that connect urban, suburban, and rural centers. Many of the existing corridors in Oldham County have developed over time in a haphazard pattern with not enough consideration for aesthetics, safety, and capacity. Corridors should require special land use controls designed to enhance the overall visual character of their larger physical area. The aim is to improve and maintain the experience of citizens who drive these corridors.

B. Specific Recommendations for Each Landscape Type

Natural Landscape

These are areas that should be identified by consultation of citizens and local officials and are lands that should be conserved throughout the County. Development should be limited in the natural landscapes enabling continued protection of the environmental quality of the County. Water pollution will be reduced, and water and other resources will be used wisely. This landscape defines the character of Oldham County, and the importance of preserving a network of natural areas and habitats should be recognized and supported by citizens and County government. Corridors passing through natural landscapes should be considered inappropriate for development, and roadway improvements and signage should be sensitive to natural features.

Recommendations

• Identify all Natural Landscapes: areas within the county where development should be limited due to the presence of important resources, habitats or aesthetic value.

• Implement zoning that reflects density appropriate for the Natural Landscape.

• Implement county ordinances that will require special review of all construction in natural landscapes

Rural Landscape

These are areas that support agriculture. While businesses may change and evolve, it is imperative that these soils remain productive for future generations. Agriculture in Oldham County will continue to be the primary land use of the rural landscape as well as a major component of the economy and an important scenic resource. Suburban type density development will be reduced by limiting new infrastructure, but limited development should be encouraged. Development in corridors through rural landscapes should be targeted to serve the needs of residents. Where new development occurs, access to the corridor should be carefully planned and designed to protect not only the function of the roadway, but its scenic character as well.

Recommendations

• Identify all Rural Landscapes: areas that support agricultural businesses.

• Implement zoning that reflects density appropriate for the Rural Landscape. Large lot zoning and limited cluster design concepts should be incorporated into ordinances. (See Appendices for further information)

• Create agriculture security zones. These are zones where ordinances are used to encourage agricultural businesses, by providing incentives and restricting other uses.

• Develop a "transfer of development rights program" for land designated as being within an Oldham County agriculture security zone. As part of this program, rural landscape should be considered as "sending zones". (See Appendix: Transfer of Development Rights)

• Participate in Kentucky State farmland preservation programs. Advocate for more State funding for PACE (Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements) Program.

• Encourage the development of a private land trust that will seek conservation easements from agriculture, business lands, private landowners, and developers in Oldham County. This Trust would inform land owners of conservation alternatives, accept conservation easements, and advocate for open space preservation.

• Limit the expansion of infrastructure, including roads and the extension of public water and sewer into the rural landscape.

• Identify the location of possible centers within the rural landscape while considering environmental constraints. (See Appendices: Village Centers & Cluster Development)

Town Landscape

These are areas of Oldham County that are the traditional towns of Westport, Buckner, Brownsboro, La Grange, etc. These areas need to be revitalized to once again serve as the population, cultural, commercial and transportation centers. The town landscape will require rehabilitated housing, new traditional town-type housing, rejuvenated commercial and industrial areas, preserved historical buildings, and upgraded infrastructure systems. Upgraded infrastructure should include the modernization of existing sewer and water systems as well as new high technology communication systems. The town landscape should contain a balance of housing types, including owner-occupied and renter-occupied housing available to a variety of income levels. Residents of the town landscape should be able to walk or bicycle to stores, schools, parks, and friend's homes. The town landscape will produce vibrant neighborhoods and an active commercial center.

Recommendations

• Implement zoning that reflects the higher density of the traditional town landscape. Encourage zoning and planning that allows greater density in and adjacent to current town landscapes. (See Appendix: Traditional Community Design)

• Economic development funds should be directed to projects which revitalize and expand the town employment base.

• Encourage new companies to locate within the town landscape.

• Develop programs to promote the reuse of existing housing stock and infill development. As part of a transfer of development rights program, the town landscape should be considered a "receiving zone." (See Appendix: Transfer of Development Rights)

• Develop design guidelines that encourage development which is consistent with the current aesthetics of the landscape. (See Appendix: Community Design Guidelines)

Suburban Landscape

These are the new subdivisions within Oldham County. New development in the suburban landscapes must be carefully linked to eliminate the current pattern of development. Residential development in the suburban landscape should be clustered and allow for a diversity of density and housing types, but be integrated by design standards. Open space networks must be integral parts of development. Parks and recreation facilities within the suburban landscape should be accessible not only by car but also walking trails. The suburban landscape should be serviced by centers that offer a mix of community-oriented commercial uses, offices, public services, local parks, and schools. Future development in the suburban landscape should be concentrated in and around these centers.

Recommendations

• Identify the Suburban Landscapes: areas that are appropriate for new subdivision development.

• Identify areas appropriate as centers within the suburban landscapes.

• Planning and zoning ordinances should direct retail, office, and community services into centers within those suburban landscapes.

• Amend ordinances to allow for development that is consistent with new concepts of improved site design.

• Incentives should be provided for density variations that will encourage cluster design, and interconnected open space within subdivisions.

• Provide for design flexibility that allows mixed use development, and encourages pedestrian walkways.

• Create open space and pedestrian networks. Require developers to provide pedestrian links to local centers with business and public facilities. A network of open space should provide links to other subdivisions and other landscapes. (See Appendix: Traditional Community Design ­ Open Space Design)

C. How can the citizens of Oldham County create zoning and land uses that are appropriate and sustainable in the County budget?

Recommendations

• Citizens should participate in meetings of Planning and Zoning and Fiscal Court to champion sound land use planning and talk with County officials regarding the preservation of natural landscapes.

• Planning should require developers to utilize design concepts that support the appropriate land uses in the various landscapes. (See Appendix: Community Design Guidelines)

• Citizens should encourage the formation of an Oldham County Land Trust that will work within the rural and natural landscape to provide information to landowners on land conservation options, hold conservation easements, work with developers to encourage open space in development projects and encourage the transfer of development rights.

• Citizens should create an Environmental Advisory Council that includes existing County environmental organizations.

• County Economic Development should promote economic and community development in the town landscapes of the County. Economic funds should be directed to projects that revitalize and expand the urban employment base.

• County Planning and Zoning should review zoning ordinances to ensure that retail and office use are targeted towards suburban and rural centers. Ensure that zoning and other land use ordinances in urban areas encourage new development that does not require inappropriate suburban patterns, such as too much off-street parking or unrealistic setbacks.

• Citizens should make an effort to patronize Oldham County town centers and attend special events in these communities.

• The County Sanitation Sewage District should discourage sewage treatment plants from discharging into streams and promote alternatives that have greater long term environmental and public budget economic benefits.

• County Planning and Zoning should develop plans in which schools and public facilities are located within suburban centers where they are accessible to students and residents by walking, and where they can serve as community focal points.

• Citizens should encourage consistent and high quality review of all development submissions made to County Planning and Zoning.

Issue 2: Sustaining and Diversifying the Economy

Observations

Since1992, Oldham County has lost 5,000 acres of farmland to irreversible development and the number of full time farms has decreased by 15%. Those figures do not include horse farms and the equine sector. In the three planning areas under review, horse farms employ more than 250 workers and generate $10.3 million in revenue annually.

The vast majority of the land in the County is rural and its maintenance depends largely on farmers. Farmers though, face a large number of pressures. Agricultural incomes are decreasing. Despite the level of technology and mechanization, the weather can still wreak havoc with harvests and therefore income. The 1999 drought was the most recent reminder.

As they look to the future, residents will need to consider what type of countryside and agriculture they want. It is clear that residents value Oldham's rural character, its mix of woodland, farmland and horse farms, the distinctive farm buildings, the wooden fences. These and a host of other features help define Oldham County's landscape. But an attractive landscape alone doesn't ensure a vibrant and healthy economy. As the farmers in England say, "you can't eat the view!" Steps must be taken to ensure that the landscape is viewed as an integral part of the Oldham County economy and as such must be managed appropriately.

Recommendations

• There is a need to place agriculture and equine in the context of the County's economic development process. The woodland and forestry sector should also be included. A study could be carried out at 3 year intervals to compliment the USDA Census of Agriculture which while helpful, does not give the complete picture.

• Areas of prime agricultural land should be identified, mapped and preserved. Using the existing soils map, a classification or grading map should be developed to guide and inform development decisions. Using the map, development could be directed to lower quality agricultural land, unless such land has been identified as having high environmental value. Use the map to develop agriculture security zones which will protect not only the land for future generations, but could also provide products for other locally related industries, e.g. hay for the horse farms, or corn for local specialty livestock.

• A single body should be developed to represent all agricultural based industry within the County, to act as a forum for the advocacy of agricultural businesses and to discuss issues and opportunities for growth. Seek agreement from the County Economic Development Department to lead this body and consider developing it into an Agricultural Business Development Council. This will help to improve communication between the various parties within the sector such as the Farm Bureau and the equine sector. Also encourage the involvement of the Future Farmers of America to develop the younger farmers who bring new ideas.

• Encourage the universities and the Cooperative Extension Service to better integrate their activities to concentrate on agricultural businesses and to provide advice on new enterprises and alternative crops, thereby diversifying the economic base of farms. Advice should be targeted to the areas of prime agricultural land and land with high environmental value.

• Consideration should also be given to providing estate and business succession planning. 
• Raise awareness within the agricultural community of the kinds of advice available.

• Working with farmers and other interested citizens, develop a program of demonstration visits both within and outside the County to share experiences, knowledge and ideas.

• Seek incentives for agricultural businesses to develop and cooperate on new enterprises to supplement existing farm revenues, particularly those that enhance the landscape and rural character.

• Support collaboration among farmers, particularly in the marketing of agricultural produce, in order to help reduce dependency on national and international markets and to expand local markets.

• Collaboration among horse farms should be encouraged to achieve common goals.

• Serious consideration should be given to organic conversion, possibly on a small scale at first.

• Explore the opportunities for farm markets and develop the small market in La Grange.

• Develop a program of farm based festivals: harvest, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, etc. and provide appropriate attractions. For example, grow pumpkins locally for local markets and a Halloween Festival. Seek sponsorship for some of these activities from organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce.

• Explore the opportunities for woodland planting and associate markets, such as firewood.

• Develop and implement a tourism strategy which identifies and builds on the special character and attributes of the County.

• Provide historic markers on scenic byways and "gateways" to the County.

• The Ohio River is one of the County's natural attractions. Develop better public access in order that residents and visitors alike can enjoy it.

• Promote local products and crafts. These could include foods such as bison, artists, authors,  photographers and so on.

• Develop the equine sector as an attraction. Ideally a visitor center should be developed on an existing horse farm.

• Use the Land Trust to identify priority lands for the purchase of conservation easements.

• Review and revise zoning regulations to allow appropriate horse based businesses.

• Home based working will increase significantly in the future and this should be encouraged and facilitated.

Issue 3: Involving the Community

Observations

Residents of Oldham County place a high value on community. Local involvement is focused primarily on schools and churches. Residents that are not involved in either of these institutions or do not have local businesses have difficulty connecting with their neighbors. Their voices are not often heard yet they are an important part of the fabric of the community.

There is a great deal of concern and anxiety about growth and development issues in Oldham County. Citizens see change happening in their community and do not feel that they are able to control what is happening around them. The lack of a common vision leads to divisiveness over specific development proposals. These issue by issue battles divide the community rather than offering an opportunity for them to come together. The comprehensive planning process offers an important opportunity to develop a common vision for the community and a shared sense of place.

The Countryside Exchange and comprehensive plan revisions have already begun building bridges among residents of Oldham County. During the Exchange week a diverse range of residents came together for intensive discussions about these issues in ways that they had not done before. There is a need and a desire to continue the conversation that began during the Exchange, both formally and informally and both through local government and community organizations.

Recommendations

• Develop a citizen-based Advisory Board to reach out to the residents and businesses of Oldham County. It can work to build consensus regarding planning, growth and development issues discussed in this report. It can serve as a permanent voice for community involvement and assessment. This organization could also assist in advising and supporting existing community organizations and initiatives, identify funding sources, and coordinate efforts where needed. It could also promote activities that generate a shared "sense of place" within the community.

• Seek to increase the involvement of residents in local government processes and decisions. Suggestions include:
  • create a new Fiscal Court committee that would focus on rural, environmental and agricultural issues throughout the County;
  • schedule Planning and Zoning Commission meetings in the evenings when residents are most able to attend; and
  • provide written information to residents on how they can best participate in the planning and development review process in their community.

 

• Local government and community organizations need to make a special effort to reach out to those residents who have not typically been involved in local government and community initiatives. This includes residents of new subdivisions, farm workers and others. Tools to achieve this involvement might include:
  • distributing information to new residents;
  • creating a local "talent bank" to identify those interested in volunteering; and
  • increased outreach to homeowners' associations, schools, churches and farm organizations.

 

• Increase efforts to inform residents of rezoning and development hearings. Steps that might be taken include: n prominently posting public notices on properties where they can be seen by those passing by; n notifying adjacent landowners within a larger geographical area and distributing informational brochures on the development review process with these notices; n expanding use of the Internet.

• Encourage local and state promotion of Oldham County to foster a common vision and local pride in the scenic landscapes and resources of Oldham County.

• Continue to seek opportunities to bring in expertise and advice from other communities that have successfully grappled with similar issues. The participants in the Exchange have agreed to continue to serve as resources to the County during the comprehensive planning process.

Issue 4: Improving Recreational Opportunities

Observations

During the visioning sessions and discussions three key recreational needs emerged.

• The need for trails and informal public access to the Ohio River and the stream valley.
• The need for opportunities to travel by foot or bicycle within and between communities.
• The need for more common open space associated with new developments.

Oldham County's attractive environment is one of the area's key assets, however, residents who do not own large areas of land have few opportunities to actively enjoy it. If the people of Oldham County are to value and help protect the area's natural resources then they must have access to them. Access is also a key issue if the County intends to develop its tourism potential and reap the associated economic benefits.

Also, over dependence on the automobile in Oldham County has been highlighted along with the effects that this can have on society generally. Developing greenway corridors can aid transportation, build a healthier community, allow children to bicycle safely and help build a sense of community. (See Appendix: Community Design Guidelines ­ What Makes a Good Pedestrian Environment)

The design of housing subdivisions was also highlighted as an issue in relation to recreational open space. Clustered development could permit more open space and associated development of recreational facilities.

Recommendations

• The existing Greenway project, which is doing great work with limited resources, needs greater support. Additional greenway projects should also be implemented such as the connection to the bike trail from Jefferson County. Also, the project should look at opportunities to develop stream valley and river parks. To do this the project will require a wider base of support. A key recommendation is to engage landowners in their work. Without the support of landowners in the area many of the objectives will be impossible to realize. With community wide support and the involvement of all key players and stakeholders, the greenway project could perform a role somewhat akin to that of a civic council on recreational issues in the Oldham County countryside.

• Develop a strategic plan for recreation with clear actions. Include an audit of current recreational opportunities and how these relate to National Recreation and Parks Association standards.

• When clustered design is used in subdivision development, common open space should be included in the design in order to provide recreational opportunities. This method preserves open space without requiring the expenditure of public funds. It also protects rural character and minimizes impacts on land resources. (See Appendix: Cluster Development)

• Identify priority areas where land acquisition could establish parks and nature preserves. Suggested priorities would be the Ohio River and Harrod's Creek. A park on the Ohio River would provide one of the few places where people could appreciate this significant local resource. As well as providing for passive recreation such as trails, there may be the opportunity to develop another boat launching facility.

• It was clear that many existing recreational opportunities in the County are under-promoted such as Westport boat launch and the Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve. More effective marketing and promotion of all formal and informal recreation opportunities in the County would be beneficial.

Issue 5 : Protecting and Enhancing Natural and Cultural Resources

Observations

The County is characterized by its diverse and distinctive landscapes. Along with its people, the countryside is probably its greatest asset, one which should be nurtured for its inestimable value to its residents and the economy, and its potential to sustain and inspire future generations.

The variety of vegetative cover is determined by the bedrock of the area which is mainly limestone and calcareous shales. Much of the landscape is dominated by karst geomorphology. These resources have been exploited by man beginning with the native Indians and during the past 200 years have provided a colorful, cultural legacy. The Ohio River was the first focus for settlement. Westport was the first county seat, but it was later moved to La Grange with the arrival of the railroad. While the river remained important for transportation, agriculture and the railroad remained the main focus of people's lives.

Alongside wooded hills, valleys and streams there are spectacular outcrops of limestone and grassy plains on a variety of soils now cleared of their native woodland. The steep slopes have survived as wooded valleys and creeks. The settlement by humans here has necessarily altered the natural form to create distinctive and valuable features. The farmed areas have produced a variety of crops including grapes and tobacco. Some valuable habitats have survived the intensification of agriculture, but much has been lost. Of the 760 animal species in Kentucky, 36 are considered as federally endangered, threatened or proposed as such. Another 153 are of at least special concern. Of the 278 animal species present in Oldham County, 7 are federally endangered or threatened, state endangered or threatened or of special concern. No information was readily available on the status of plant species and it appears that no collated inventories of invertebrate groups or of habitats yet exists for Oldham County.

The team was surprised by citizens' difficulty in articulating what they valued, yet there was consensus in what was described. Residents spoke about the sense of tranquility, peace and rural character. They included woodlands, trees, wooded creeks and streams, the river, the river front, eighteen mile island, wildlife, scenic roads, horse farms, historic buildings, fossils and other historical and cultural features in the list of what they held to be important. Threats identified included tree loss, habitat loss by urban sprawl and transportation projects as well as the lack of protection for areas important for wildlife. Pollution of waterways - streams, creeks and rivers - particularly by agrichemical runoff, effluent from package treatment plants, soil erosion and sedimentation along with air and light pollution, lack of citizen empowerment, lack of stringent environmental protection policies, lack of enforcement of existing regulations, visual pollution and protection of vistas were also identified.

The following related issues were also identified.

• There is a lack of recognition of the fragility and fragmentation of the landscape, wildlife habitat, cultural and historical features.

• There is a need to recognize the context of past losses of these resources. If this loss is to be addressed, the goal must be to restore and enhance as well as protect what remains.

• There is much public concern about the extensive degradation of water courses due to inadequate sewage treatment, and the risk to public health and ecosystems this poses.

• There is much frustration and some despair over the lack of effective enforcement of existing standards and regulations for water courses.

• There is a need for further ordinances/regulations to cover other environmental matters such as woodland protection, sediment discharge, storm water and erosion.

Recommendations

• Convene an Oldham County environmental advisory council to take forward the identified issues, coordinate activities of existing active groups and communicate its existence to develop a wider network.

• Involve the community in identifying and describing the landscapes of Oldham County using geological, visual, habitat, historic, and cultural features to define what makes them distinctive * as well as the broad urban, suburban, rural, natural divisions required for the land use considerations described above.

• Identify fragile landscapes, natural corridors, habitats and watersheds, compiling inventories and maps of these and historical and cultural resources and modify the appropriate land use regulations to protect these areas. Local expertise is available to assist in the historical and cultural resources compilation. These processes should involve local expertise wherever possible supplemented and guided by professional expertise.

• Publish and promote an Oldham County State of the Environment Report and set up monitoring and reporting mechanism for local natural resources: air; water; soil; wildlife habitat and landscape change using professional and community inputs.

• Utilize and adapt Report of Kentucky Biodiversity Task Force to focus action to protect, enhance and promote wildlife in Oldham County.

• Permit packaging treatment plants only if they use advanced wastewater treatment, and speed up prosecution for existing violators.

• Require stream valley buffers or setbacks along Harrod's Creek and all other wooded and stream creeks to protect these habitats.

• Establish mechanism to protect unfragmented woodland and naturally vegetated areas.

• Require environmental impact information on subdivisions of a defined size. This should cover woodland and trees, watercourses, other habitats and checks for protected and threatened species.

• Encourage the use of native species in all new subdivisions for planting and landscaping.

• Encourage further use of the Fish and Wildlife Agency advice to enhance wildlife habitat on private and/or agricultural land.

• Promote and further develop a program of environmental education and interpretation which relates to the distinctive character of Oldham County.

• Adopt outdoor lighting standards for commercial, industrial and county highway proposals.

• Adopt appropriate storm water, sediment and erosion control regulations.