SOUTH WILLIAMSON, KY - Maintenance of the floodwall at South Williamson may be compromised by the location of several structures built adjacent to the floodwall.

According to Jimmy Kiser, Pike County Flood Plain Coordinator, there are several encroachments on the property near the floodwall.

“Some are minor but some are big,” Kiser told the Daily News. “There are 16 or 17 encroachments total, but most are small things, such as storage buildings.”

The problem, Kiser said, is in the maintenance of underwater storm water drains. The drains are buried 15 feet underground, are 60 inches in diameter, and divert water to the South Williamson pumping station.

“We can’t service those drains if we can’t get to them,” Kiser said.

The Corps obtained ‘perpetual easements’ from property owners before construction of the floodwall, Kiser said. That gives the Corps access to the property for maintenance and repairs. The footage of the easement varies from approximately 45 feet to over 100 feet in front of the floodwall. The property owners were paid for the easements, which was well documented.

While most of the encroachments are minor issues, one newly constructed building is a major problem. The property owner, Shibby Karnes, was paid for a perpetual easement on the property, but built over the easement location. The building is a commercial property, and is currently for sale, according to a sign on the front.

Kiser said the Corps has spoken “quite a bit” to Karnes, but, to his knowledge, no solution has been reached.

District 6 Magistrate Chris Harris said he has concerns regarding certification of the floodwall by the Corps of Engineers.

Federal authorities require the floodwall by certified as safe by engineers.

“I am concerned these encroachments will effect the Corps’ certification,” Harris said.

Attempts by the Daily News to contact Karnes were unsuccessful.

Kiser also noted a concrete pad behind the Appalachian Beauty School is an encroachment on the right-of-way.

Kiser said his office is currently in negotiations with the Corps to confirm the location of the easements and explore possible remedies to the situation. He did not say what avenues the Corps and the county would pursue.