Bill > HR2768

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study on designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail. The trail is a 287-mile nonmotorized hiking path that traverses through Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, passing through wilderness areas, national forests, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The bill highlights the trail's scenic beauty, biodiversity, and accessibility, noting that it offers hiking opportunities for various skill levels and supports local rural economies. Specifically, the legislation requires the Secretary to complete and submit a comprehensive study to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment, in consultation with interested organizations like the Benton MacKaye Trail Association. The trail is predominantly located on federal land (95%) and has been maintained by the Benton MacKaye Trail Association since 1980, which suggests it could be a viable candidate for national scenic trail status. The study will assess the trail's potential for official designation under the National Trails System Act, which would provide additional recognition and potentially additional protection and resources for the trail.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2768/all-info