Sponsors (5)
The bill channels federal money and formal partnership roles to local governments, nonprofits, and volunteers to expand and protect national scenic/historic trails and improve visitor experiences, but it shifts responsibility away from direct federal control, concentrates influence and funding with designated partners, may restrict access in busy segments, and increases federal spending with potential uneven outcomes across communities.
Millions of Americans who use National Scenic and Historic Trails — and the nearby local and state governments that support them — gain access to federal funding and authorized planning/facility investments (FY2026–FY2031) for trailheads, restrooms, land acquisition, and other upgrades.
Local governments, nonprofits, and volunteer organizations (e.g., Appalachian Trail clubs) are formally enabled to share stewardship and operational responsibility, which can expand maintenance capacity and sustain volunteer engagement while reducing federal staffing burdens.
Designated Operational Partners and volunteer organizations can obtain formal partnership status and direct federal support, improving resources and continuity for trail stewardship and prioritized conservation work.
Shifting operational responsibilities to local partners and volunteers risks reduced federal accountability and can produce uneven maintenance and access where volunteer capacity or funding varies.
Designating Operational Partners and allowing some appropriated support without competition can concentrate funding and influence with selected organizations, reducing transparency and disadvantaging other nonprofits and stakeholders.
Segment-level visitor capacity limits and other access rules could reduce public access to popular trail sections and lower tourism revenue for nearby communities that rely on trail visitors.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Formally recognizes covered trails as National Trails System units, clarifies cooperative management, names the Appalachian Trail Conservancy as the operational partner, and authorizes funding for planning and projects through FY2026–FY2031.
Introduced September 4, 2025 by Donald Sternoff Beyer · Last progress September 4, 2025
Makes national historic and scenic trails explicit units of the National Trails System, affirms a partnership-based approach to trail administration and operation, and sets rules for cooperative management that let volunteers and nonprofit partners carry out many trail duties. Requires the Interior and Agriculture Departments to set visitor-capacity limits, assess economic impacts on nearby gateway communities, report to Congress on trail conditions and use, and authorizes funding for planning, acquisition, construction, and development through FY2026–FY2031. Directs the Secretaries to designate the Appalachian Trail Conservancy as the official Designated Operational Partner for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail within one year and creates a process to name additional designated operational partners for other covered trails, including eligibility criteria, the ability to receive appropriated funds, and conditions for rescinding designations.