In 1998, the Kentucky General Assembly passed KRS 149.330 to 149.355, known as the Kentucky Forest Conservation Act (KFCA). While the act places its primary responsibility on loggers, private forestland owners also need to be aware of the law because they provide most of the timber in Kentucky.

The act requires the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet to provide and implement the following programs and actions:

Information and Education (KRS 149.336)

• Establish within the Kentucky Division of Forestry an information and education program to develop public awareness of the importance of the forests of Kentucky.
• Implement an educational program that emphasizes sustainable forests and the full range of economic, ecological and social opportunities provided by privately owned forests.

Forest Inventory (KRS 149.338)

• Conduct and maintain an inventory of Kentucky's forests and provide a report on a biennial basis. 
• Assist with the implementation of the Southern Annual Forest Inventory System by supplying five two-person crews to perform annual data collection.
• Develop and implement annual surveys of mills, landowners, timber buyers and other appropriate entities to determine levels of harvesting and timber and log prices.
• Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and ensure coordination with the statewide GIS efforts.

Stewardship Incentives Fund (KRS 149.340)

Establish a stewardship incentives fund to be administered by the division. Monies from the fund shall be used for cost-share programs to provide financial assistance to landowners for the development of stewardship plans and stewardship practices.

Master Logger Program (KRS 149.342)

• Since July 15, 2000, no person shall conduct timber-harvesting operations within the commonwealth unless there is at least one logger on-site and in charge that has successfully completed the Kentucky Master Logger Program.
• After successful completion of the Master Logger Program, continuing education is required every three years. The division maintains and makes available to the public a current list of all loggers who have successfully completed the Master Logger Program and the required continuing education.
• Any loggers who primarily use mules or horses in logging operations are exempt from the Master Logger requirement.
• All state parks must have at least one person on staff who has completed the Master Logger Program.

Best Management Practices (KRS 149.344)

• Since July 15, 2000, any logger engaged in commercial timber harvesting in Kentucky shall use best management practices.
• No logger or operator shall conduct any timber harvesting operations in a manner that is causing or will likely cause water pollution.
• The compliance enforcement process begins if the cabinet determines that a logger or operator has failed to use the appropriate best management practices. The enforcement process is a four-step process, if after the four steps, the logger has not implemented the corrective measures, the logger shall be deemed a "bad actor" and shall be subject to civil penalties.

Forestry Best Management Practices Board (KRS 149.350)

Establishment of a Forestry Best Management Practices Board consisting of 13 members for the purpose of updating Kentucky's forest practice guidelines for water quality management and the Division of Forestry's administrative regulations regarding timber harvesting operations.

Timber Harvest Inspections and Compliance with the Forest Conservation Act

KRS 139.342 states no person shall conduct timber harvesting operations within the commonwealth unless there is on the site during the timber harvesting operations at least one logger in charge of the harvest who has successfully completed the Master Logger Program (except those exclusively using horses and mules).

KRS 139.344 specifies any logger or operator engaged in the conduct of any timber harvest operations shall use appropriate best management practices (BMPs). Forestry BMPs are designed to prevent or minimize nonpoint water pollution primarily from timber harvesting. 


To view the Field Guide to Best Management Practices for Timber Harvesting in Kentucky click here.

Damage to land and water must be corrected. Using BMPs during tree harvesting can prevent pollution to our rivers, lakes and streams.

The Division of Forestry provides landowners and loggers with technical assistance to encourage the use of appropriate BMPs to prevent erosion and protect water quality. Logging operations should involve preplanning operations, anticipation of potential erosion and water pollution problems and designing solutions into the operation using BMPs.

Landowners also need to know about BMPs and water quality related to forestry operations as they are subject to the Agriculture Water Quality Act (AWQA) (KRS 224.71-100 to 224.71-140), which specifies that landowners will ensure that appropriate BMPs for various agricultural activities, including timber harvesting are implemented. 

For more information view the following brochure: What Landowners Should Know About Forestry Best Management Practices.

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