The Kentucky Master Logger program was developed in 1992 by the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry Extension, Kentucky Forest Industries Association and Kentucky Division of Forestry as partners.  The original program was voluntary and developed as an educational tool to teach loggers a wide range of skills with emphasis on safety and protecting water quality associated with logging practices. 

In 2000 the Kentucky Forest Conservation Act was passed as law and requires all logging operations to have one person on site and in charge that has successfully completed the 3-day program.

The legislation also provided authority to the Kentucky Division of Forestry to inspect logging sites to make sure that proper best management practices for water quality are being followed on logging sites to protect the waters of the state.

Logging jobs that do not follow appropriate best management practices can be cited for violations and proceed through a four step process designed to allow the logger to correct issues. Eventually the logging operation can be deemed a bad actor and subject to fines if they do not comply with water quality regulations.

When a logger and/or operator fails to comply with all rules and regulations specified in the Kentucky Forest Conservation Act, that person and/or company will be placed on the ‘Bad Actor’ list.  This means that a specific water quality violation and/or violations have been created and not corrected for a particular logging site or sites.

If a logger is deemed a bad actor on 3 or more sites he is not allowed to operate in Kentucky until he has paid associated fines and fixed the logging sites that have been cited.

For additional information on the Master Logger Program including a list of all master loggers, 3 day training programs and continuing education opportunities go to masterlogger.org.