148.870 Legislative recognition and purpose.
433 words·~2 min read·
/ky/chapter-148/148-870A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
(1)The General Assembly recognizes that the ridge top of Pine Mountain is a unique
area desirable for the creation of a trail. Therefore, it is hereby declared that in order
to afford the citizens of the Commonwealth an opportunity to enjoy this natural
area, to attract out-of-state visitors, to ensure the well-being of our tourism industry,
to preserve for future generations the beauty of certain areas untrammeled by man,
to provide for the ever-increasing outdoor recreation needs of an expanding
population, and to promote the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and
enjoyment and appreciation of the outdoor areas and historic resources of the
Commonwealth, there is hereby established a certain defined area in the
southeastern part of the Commonwealth for ultimate designation as the Pine
Mountain State Scenic Trail, with land in the defined area owned or leased by the
Commonwealth or on which the Commonwealth has obtained an easement
comprising the initial state park.
(2)It is the intent of KRS 148.870 to 148.892 to assure preservation of the scenic,
ecological, and other values within the boundaries of the trail and to provide proper
management of the recreational, wildlife, water, and other resources within those
boundaries. It is further the intent of KRS 148.870 to 148.892 to impose reasonable
policies governing the use of land within the authorized boundaries of the trail,
except for the restrictions set forth in KRS 148.870 to 148.892, for the general
welfare of the people of the Commonwealth and, where necessary, to enable the
Commonwealth or any of its agencies to acquire fee title or lesser interests in land
within the boundaries of the trail, in order to maintain the public trust in this unique
area.
(3)The General Assembly recognizes the valuable contributions that volunteers and
private, nonprofit groups have made to the development and maintenance of trails
throughout the Commonwealth. In recognition of these contributions, it is further
the purpose of KRS 148.870 to 148.892 to encourage and assist volunteer citizen
and nonprofit group involvement in the planning, development, maintenance, and
management, where appropriate, of the trail.
(4)The General Assembly recognizes that the establishment of Pine Mountain State
Scenic Trail is not intended to create a one hundred twenty
(120)mile linear barrier
around southeastern Kentucky. The General Assembly further recognizes that to
ensure the continued economic development of the area, provisions shall be made
for means of ingress and egress for owners of property and those with property
rights affected by the creation of the trail, and for new road construction, utility
facilities, and pipelines that may cross the trail.