FOR-69: Field Guide to Best Management Practices for Timber Harvesting in Kentucky

BMP No. 4: Sinkholes

The purpose of this BMP is to minimize nonpoint source pollutants from flowing into sinkholes.

Figure 4-1–Flow of Waters through a Sinkhole

Soil, Logging Debris, Fluids, and/or Other Waste Materials

Minimum Requirements:

Fluids from equipment should not be drained onto the ground. They should be collected in a container, transported off site, and recycled or disposed of properly. Soil, logging debris, and/or other waste materials should not be pushed into the bottom of a sinkhole or into any noticeable sinkhole opening.

Sinkhole Buffer Zones

Minimum Requirements:

Divert runoff from haul/access roads, skid trails, and log landings so it does not drain directly into sinkholes, sinking streams, or caves. If runoff does enter a sinkhole, a UIC permit (see Modified Sinkholes in Appendix A, contact Division of Water 502-564-3410) may be required.
Leave a buffer zone between any disturbed area and the open swallet of a sinkhole. Buffer zones should be 30 feet for areas of 5 percent slope, and an additional 10 feet in width should be added to this zone for each 10 percent increase in slope.

Regulatory Requirements for BMP No. 4

(See Appendix A for Explanations)

Activities around sinkholes, cave entrances, etc.: (KRS 433.870-433.875)
Endangered species in caves: (Federal Register 55:6184 and 56:58804-58836)
Modified sinkholes: (May need to be registered and/or permitted)
Cave streams and other underground surface waters: (may deal with KY Surface Water Statutes and/or Outstanding Resource Waters)
All silvicultural operations: (410 KAR 5:026, 5:029, 5:030, and 5:031)
Activities near high-quality waters and outstanding national resource waters: (401 KAR 5:029, 5:030, and 5:031)
Activities near wild rivers: (KRS 146.200 et seq. and 401 KAR 4:100-140)
Karst groundwater basin protection

Table 4-1--Minimum Distances from Silviculturally Disturbed Areas and the Point of Lowest Elevation or Open Swallet of a Sinkhole
Slope of Land (%)	Distance (Feet)
5	30
10	35
20	45
30	55
40 or higher	65

Note: This table corresponds to the recommended minimum distances for roads, trails, and landings from intermittent streams.

Figure 4-2–Specifications for Sinkhole BMP

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