Sponsors (4)
The bill aims to complete and improve the Continental Divide Trail—boosting recreation, safety, and local tourism while increasing tribal/landowner consultation—but does so largely without dedicated funding, relying on voluntary acquisitions and coordination, which raises risks of delays, added taxpayer or local costs, and potential constraints on private land use.
Hikers, outdoor recreationists, and nearby rural communities gain a more continuous Continental Divide Trail with clearer plans and timelines, improving access, safety, and long-distance recreation opportunities.
Local and Tribal economies near the Trail see increased visitor spending and tourism development from higher thru-hiker and recreational use.
Tribes and private landowners receive formal consultation roles and voluntary-easement options that help protect tribal uses and property rights and reduce the risk of forced acquisitions.
Federal land managers and communities face unfunded work and potential delays because the bill establishes completion goals and responsibilities without providing dedicated federal funding.
Taxpayers and local governments could bear significant costs for land acquisitions, easements, and operating a federal Trail Completion Team to finish and manage the Trail corridor.
Homeowners and private landowners near the proposed route may face easement negotiation burdens, restrictions on land use, or other limitations arising from Trail routing and easement terms.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Directs USDA and DOI to form a joint Trail Completion Team, produce a 3‑year development plan, and seek to complete the Continental Divide Trail within 10 years, subject to appropriations.
Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to work toward completing the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail as a continuous route within 10 years, subject to available funding. It requires creation of a joint Forest Service–BLM Trail Completion Team (within 1 year) to coordinate completion and development of a comprehensive Trail plan (within 3 years), encourages agreements with volunteers and nonprofits, and clarifies that no new land‑acquisition authority or eminent domain powers are created.
Introduced April 10, 2025 by Martin Heinrich · Last progress April 10, 2025