To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, and for other purposes.
Committees
House Natural Resources Committee
Bill Summary
Continental Divide Trail Completion Act This bill addresses the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which extends from the Montana-Canada border to the New Mexico-Mexico border. Not later than November 10, 2028, the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior shall ensure the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail as a contiguous route. In carrying out the completion of the trail, the Forest Service, in coordination with Interior, shall establish a joint Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management trail completion team to work in coordination with the trail's administrator to facilitate the completion and optimization of the trail, pursuant to the purposes for national scenic trails and the trail's nature and purposes. The Forest Service shall submit a comprehensive acquisition and development plan to Congress no later than two years after the establishment of the team. The plan should identify any gaps in the trail where the Forest Service and Interior have not been able to acquire land or interests in land by purchase from a willing seller, by donation, by exchange, or by cooperative agreement; include a plan for closing such gaps by acquiring lands or interests in land; and include general and site-specific development plans, including anticipated costs. The Forest Service and Interior may (1) acquire land only by purchase from a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds, donation, or exchange; and (2) not acquire land by eminent domain.
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, and for other purposes.
Continental Divide Trail Completion Act This bill addresses the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which extends from the Montana-Canada border to the New Mexico-Mexico border. Not later than November 10, 2028, the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior shall ensure the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail as a contiguous route. In carrying out the completion of the trail, the Forest Service, in coordination with Interior, shall establish a joint Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management trail completion team to work in coordination with the trail's administrator to facilitate the completion and optimization of the trail, pursuant to the purposes for national scenic trails and the trail's nature and purposes. The Forest Service shall submit a comprehensive acquisition and development plan to Congress no later than two years after the establishment of the team. The plan should identify any gaps in the trail where the Forest Service and Interior have not been able to acquire land or interests in land by purchase from a willing seller, by donation, by exchange, or by cooperative agreement; include a plan for closing such gaps by acquiring lands or interests in land; and include general and site-specific development plans, including anticipated costs. The Forest Service and Interior may (1) acquire land only by purchase from a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds, donation, or exchange; and (2) not acquire land by eminent domain.