Washington’s Trail—1753 National Historic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4538
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-14: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-02T20:35:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Washington's Trail--1753 National Historic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026
Purpose
This legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to study whether a specific historic route should be added to the national historic trails system. The goal is to evaluate the feasibility of formal recognition for a path tied to an early diplomatic mission by George Washington.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(c)) by adding a new item (50).
- Requires a feasibility study for "Washington's Trail--1753," described as an approximately 500-mile route from Williamsburg, Virginia, to Fort LeBoeuf (now Waterford), Pennsylvania.
- The route follows the path taken by George Washington and his party from October 31, 1753, to January 16, 1754, during a mission for Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie ahead of the French and Indian War.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands the existing list of trails under study in the National Trails System Act by inserting one additional specific route.
- No immediate designation occurs; the change only authorizes and requires the feasibility study process already outlined in the Act.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Directs the Department of the Interior (likely through the National Park Service) to conduct research, route analysis, and public consultation on the trail.
- Citizens and localities: Could lead to future preservation efforts, interpretive sites, or tourism development along the route in Virginia and Pennsylvania if the study supports designation.
- International relations: No direct effects identified in the bill text.
Main Stakeholders
- The Secretary of the Interior and relevant federal agencies responsible for trails.
- State and local governments in Virginia and Pennsylvania.
- Historical preservation groups and organizations focused on colonial-era events.
- Residents and property owners along the proposed route.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Relies on Congress's authority under the Property Clause to manage federal lands and historic resources.
- Remains a study-only measure, preserving the existing multi-step process for trail designation under the National Trails System Act.
- The bill text contains no new regulatory requirements or funding authorizations beyond the study directive.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA], Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-14: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2026-05-14: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Washington’s Trail—1753 National Historic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-14 — PDF (2 pages)