KRS 146.475: Nature preserves to be held in trust.

The fee simple estates, or lesser interests, or other contractual rights held as nature

preserves are hereby declared to be held in trust, in the name of the Commonwealth, for

those uses and purposes expressed in KRS 146.410 to 146.530 which are not prohib ited

by the articles of dedication, for the benefit of the people of the Commonwealth of

Kentucky of present and future generations and are declared to be put to their highest,

best and most important use for the public benefit. Said estates, interests, o r rights held

as nature preserves shall be managed and protected in the manner approved by, and

subject to the rules and regulations established by the office, and they shall not be taken

by another public body through eminent domain or otherwise for any o ther use, except

after a finding by the office of the existence of an imperative and unavoidable public

necessity for such other public use. Except as may otherwise be provided in the articles

of dedication, the office may grant or dispose of an estate, interest or right held in a nature

preserve only after a finding by the office of the existence of an imperative and

unavoidable public necessity for such grant or disposition; provided however, that where

less than a fee simple interest has been dedicated, such disposition or grant shall also

require the written consent of the owner or owners of the other interests therein.