Sponsors (4)
The bill would establish and accelerate planning for a 287‑mile protected nonmotorized trail that expands recreation and local tourism benefits, at the cost of potential new land‑use restrictions for nearby owners and modest infrastructure and federal spending impacts.
Rural communities gain increased visitor spending on lodging, food, and outdoor supplies as the 287-mile trail attracts more hikers and tourists.
Hikers and outdoor visitors gain access to a continuous 287-mile scenic nonmotorized trail with routes for novice to advanced users, expanding recreation and outdoor exercise opportunities.
Public land managers face minimal additional maintenance burden because roughly 95% of the trail is on Federal land and there is volunteer association support.
Nearby landowners and some recreation users could face new federal or local land-use restrictions or management rules following designation, limiting certain activities or uses.
Rural communities may see modest increases in tourism-related traffic and demand that raise local infrastructure and service costs (roads, parking, emergency response).
Preparing the feasibility study and later implementing trail management could require federal funding, increasing spending or diverting resources from other priorities (affecting taxpayers).
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Places the Benton MacKaye Trail in federal law as a National Scenic Trail candidate and requires a feasibility study to be submitted to Congress within 1 year.
Adds the Benton MacKaye Trail to the list of national scenic trails in federal law and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to complete and send a feasibility study to Congress within one year, working with interested organizations. The bill describes the trail’s length and route through Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina and notes its primarily federal land base and long-term volunteer maintenance.
Introduced April 9, 2025 by Chuck Fleischmann · Last progress June 3, 2026