Bill > S479

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility of designating the Chief Standing Bear National Historic Trail as a national historic trail, which would be a new addition to the National Trails System Act, a law that establishes and protects trails of national significance. The proposed trail would cover approximately 550 miles from Niobrara, Nebraska, to Ponca City, Oklahoma, following the route of Chief Standing Bear and the Ponca people during their forced removal by the federal government, and another 550 miles on the return journey from Ponca City through Omaha, Nebraska, back to Niobrara. As part of this study, the Secretary must consider input from private landowners whose property is within or near the proposed trail area, and determine if the trail meets the criteria for designation as a national historic trail.