Sponsors (4)
The bill seeks to establish and study a 287-mile scenic nonmotorized trail that could boost recreation and local economies, but it introduces potential costs, land-use constraints for nearby owners, and environmental/infrastructure pressures unless sufficient funding and management protections are provided.
Hikers and other outdoor recreationists would gain a potential protected 287-mile nonmotorized National Scenic Trail across Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, creating a long-distance recreational resource.
Rural communities, local governments, and nonprofits could see increased tourism and economic activity from trail designation and improved management.
Local governments and nonprofits would benefit from a formal, time-limited (2-year) federal study to assess trail protections, management needs, and potential actions.
Some private landowners and nearby homeowners could face new land-use restrictions or additional regulatory requirements tied to the trail designation or management actions.
Rural communities and local governments could experience strain on local infrastructure and natural resources from increased visitation if adequate maintenance and management funding are not provided.
Taxpayers could incur additional federal costs for the required study and for potential future trail management, land acquisition, or maintenance.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Designates the Benton MacKaye Trail a candidate National Scenic Trail and requires a feasibility study to Congress within two years.
Designates the Benton MacKaye Trail as a candidate National Scenic Trail and requires the Secretary of Agriculture, working with interested organizations, to complete and send Congress a feasibility study within two years about formally designating the roughly 287-mile nonmotorized Benton MacKaye Trail (running through Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina). The act simply adds the trail to the list of candidate National Scenic Trails and sets a deadline for the feasibility study; it does not itself appropriate funds or change other law beyond the candidate listing and study requirement.
Official title: Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026
Introduced April 9, 2025 by Chuck Fleischmann · Last progress June 3, 2026