Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025
Benton MacKaye Trail: National Scenic Trail Study
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to study if the Benton MacKaye Trail should be officially named a National Scenic Trail. This 287-mile path winds through the mountains and forests of Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
- The trail is already popular for hiking and backpacking, passing through the Great Smoky Mountains and several national forests. Since 95% of the trail is already on federal land, making it a national trail would likely be inexpensive and easy to manage.
- Supporters say this official status would help rural communities by bringing in more tourists. People visiting the trail spend money at local restaurants, hotels, and outdoor shops, which helps the local economy in the three states the trail passes through.
- The government would have one year to finish the study and report back to Congress. They will work with local hiking groups that have been taking care of the trail since 1980 to see if it meets the standards for the national trail system.
Impact Analysis
Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.
Milestones
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 211.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
News
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Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(4)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.