KRS 350.585: Emergency restoration and reclamation.

(1) The cabinet is authorized to expend moneys from the fund for the emergency

restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of adverse effects of coal

mining practices, on eligible lands, if the cabinet makes finding of fact that:

(a) An emergen cy exists constituting a danger to the public health, safety, or

general welfare; and

(b) No other person or agency will act expeditiously to restore, reclaim, abate,

control, or prevent the adverse effects of coal mining practices.

(2) The cabinet, its agents, employees, and contractors shall have the right to enter upon

any land where the emergency exists and any other land to have access to the land

where the emergency exists to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the

adverse effects of coal min ing practices and to do all things necessary or expedient

to protect the public health, safety, or general welfare. Such entry shall be construed

as an exercise of the police power and shall not be construed as an act of

condemnation of property nor of tre spass thereof. The moneys expended for such

work and the benefits accruing to any such premises so entered upon shall be

chargeable against such land and shall mitigate or offset any claim in or any action

brought by any owner of any interest in such premi ses for any alleged damages by

virtue of such entry. Provided, however, that this provision is not intended to create

new rights of action or eliminate existing immunities.