Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 1376
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-27: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 211.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:41:27Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025, aims to assess whether the Benton MacKaye Trail—a hiking path spanning Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina—should be officially recognized as a national scenic trail under federal law. This recognition would highlight its natural beauty and recreational value while potentially increasing federal support for its protection and maintenance.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Congress recognizes the trail's attributes, including:
- Its length of about 287 miles through forests, mountains, and parks in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
- Scenic features like high peaks, mature forests, waterfalls, and biodiversity-rich wilderness areas.
- Passage through six federal wilderness areas, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and national forests (Chattahoochee-Oconee, Cherokee, and Nantahala).
- Accessibility for various hikers, from beginners to backpackers.
- Economic benefits to rural communities via tourism spending on lodging, food, and supplies.
- Route starting at Springer Mountain in Georgia, extending through Tennessee and into North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains.
- Low maintenance needs, as 95% of the trail is on federal land and has been managed by the Benton MacKaye Trail Association since 1980.
- Feasibility Study Requirement: Amends the National Trails System Act to mandate that the Secretary of Agriculture (who oversees the U.S. Forest Service) conduct a study on designating the trail as a national scenic trail. The study must be completed and submitted to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment, with input from groups like the Benton MacKaye Trail Association.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new entry (paragraph 50) to Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(c)), which lists potential trails for national designation.
- This is the first step toward possible full designation; no immediate changes occur, but it formalizes the trail as a candidate for federal protection and funding, similar to other scenic trails like the Appalachian Trail.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will need to allocate resources for the study, involving coordination with the Forest Service and other federal land managers. If designated later, it could lead to increased federal funding for trail maintenance and protection.
- Citizens: Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts may gain better access to a preserved, marked trail with potential improvements in signage and facilities. Rural residents in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina could see boosted local economies from more visitors.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic trails within U.S. national forests and parks.
- Environment: Could enhance conservation efforts in biodiversity hotspots, but the study would evaluate any risks to ecosystems.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government: Secretary of Agriculture and USDA/Forest Service, responsible for the study and potential future management.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Benton MacKaye Trail Association, which maintains the trail and will consult on the study.
- Local Communities and Businesses: Rural areas along the trail in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, benefiting from tourism.
- Recreational Users: Hikers, backpackers, and nature enthusiasts who use the trail.
- Congress: Receives the study report, which could influence future legislation for full designation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Builds on the National Trails System Act (established in 1968 to preserve historic and scenic trails), requiring only a feasibility study rather than immediate action, which avoids legal challenges related to land use or property rights. The process respects federal authority over public lands.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to manage federal lands and promote public welfare; no apparent conflicts with states' rights, as the trail is mostly on federal property.
- Political: Introduced by senators from affected states (Tillis and Budd from North Carolina, Warnock and Ossoff from Georgia), showing bipartisan regional support to promote tourism and conservation without significant controversy or cost. If enacted, it could set a precedent for studying other regional trails.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-27: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 211.
- 2025-10-27: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
- 2025-10-27: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
- 2025-10-21: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2025-04-09: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 2025-04-09: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-09 — PDF (4 pages)
- Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025 — issued 2025-10-27 — PDF (6 pages)