KRS 148.870: Legislative recognition and purpose.

(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 Commonwe alth 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 14 8.870 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.