Bill > HR5134

This bill aims to enhance the preservation, maintenance, and management of national historic trails and national scenic trails, with a particular focus on the Appalachian Trail. The legislation establishes a comprehensive framework for trail management that emphasizes partnership, volunteer involvement, and cooperative approaches between federal agencies, state governments, tribal nations, and non-governmental organizations. Key provisions include designating specific operational partners (like the Appalachian Trail Conservancy) who can help manage trails, creating processes for developing priority lists for land protection, and establishing clear definitions for trail administration, management, and operation. The bill recognizes the critical role of volunteers and local organizations in trail maintenance and development, and seeks to formalize their involvement while maintaining federal oversight. It also requires periodic economic impact assessments of trails on gateway communities and mandates reports on trail development challenges and successes. The legislation provides funding authorization through 2031 for trail acquisition, construction, and development, and explicitly aims to support the collaborative management model pioneered by the Appalachian Trail, which can potentially be replicated across the National Trails System.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5134/all-info