Interview with Karen Armstrong-Cummings, June 17, 1989

Interview Summary

Karen Armstrong-Cummings provides a brief overview of her background in environmental activism, with emphasis on her time in Kentucky government. She describes the development and implementation of solid waste planning initiatives, including training and certification for landfill operations. She discusses the impact of 40% statewide illiteracy on the ability to implement the initiative. Armstrong-Cummings discusses how the plan for solid waste management came into existence, who was involved, and why environmental legislation had public support at the time due to the dumping of industrial waste. She reflects on the differences between enforcement of environmental regulation on small and large industries. She follows up with an explanation of the Solid Waste Planning Initiative and how this was the first time cities planned what to do with their garbage. Armstrong-Cummings talks about her involvement with efforts to create job opportunities while protecting the environment. She describes the Kentucky Center for Public Issues and what actions the center takes. She discusses the lack of policy and planning for rural development prior to Governor Wilkinson's administration. Armstrong-Cummings talks about how to move environmental policy ideas into the implementation in the field, and how human resources complicates retaining qualified employees.

Interview LC Subject

Armstrong-Cummings, Karen Armstrong-Cummings, Karen--Interviews Conservation of natural resources Environmental protection Environmental protection--Kentucky Environmentalism Natural areas Hazardous wastes Refuse and refuse disposal. Waste disposal sites Employment--Kentucky

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