Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025
Summary
What This Bill Does
Directs the Agriculture Secretary to complete within one year a feasibility study for designating the 287-mile Benton MacKaye Trail across Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina as a national scenic trail, after findings about its forests, mountains, wilderness areas, Great Smoky Mountains route, rural economic benefits, federal-land footprint, and Benton MacKaye Trail Association stewardship.
Who Benefits and How
Benton MacKaye Trail users benefit from a federal study of national scenic trail status. Rural gateway communities in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina benefit from tourism and outdoor spending attention. The Benton MacKaye Trail Association benefits from consultation and recognition of its maintenance role. National forest visitors benefit if the study supports long-term preservation and interpretation.
Who Bears the Burden and How
The Agriculture Secretary must complete and submit the feasibility study within one year. Forest Service trail staff must evaluate route, cost, management, and designation issues. Interested organizations must participate in consultation. Private landowners and local governments along the route may need to supply information about access or impacts.
Key Provisions
- Provides congressional findings on the Benton MacKaye Trail's 287-mile route, scenery, wilderness, and rural economic value.
- Adds the Benton MacKaye Trail to the National Trails System Act study list.
- Requires the Agriculture Secretary to complete and submit the feasibility study within one year.
- Directs consultation with interested organizations, including the Benton MacKaye Trail Association.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Directs the Agriculture Secretary to complete within one year a feasibility study for designating the 287-mile Benton MacKaye Trail across Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina as a national scenic trail, after findings about its forests, mountains, wilderness areas, Great Smoky Mountains route, rural economic benefits, federal-land footprint, and Benton MacKaye Trail Association stewardship.
Key Policy Areas
Trails, Outdoor Recreation, Forests
Primary Purpose
Directs the Agriculture Secretary to complete within one year a feasibility study for designating the 287-mile Benton MacKaye Trail across Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina as a national scenic trail, after findings about its forests, mountains, wilderness areas, Great Smoky Mountains route, rural economic benefits, federal-land footprint, and Benton MacKaye Trail Association stewardship.
Policy Domains
House resolution provisions
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- Benton MacKaye Trail users benefit from a federal study of national scenic trail status
- Rural gateway communities in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina benefit from tourism and outdoor spending attention
- The Benton MacKaye Trail Association benefits from consultation and recognition of its maintenance role
- National forest visitors benefit if the study supports long-term preservation and interpretation
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- The Agriculture Secretary must complete and submit the feasibility study within one year
- Forest Service trail staff must evaluate route, cost, management, and designation issues
- Interested organizations must participate in consultation
- Private landowners and local governments along the route may need to supply information about access or impacts
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
ReportedPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. …
Reported by Mr. Boozman, without amendment
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman …
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported …
Introduced in Senate
Mr. Tillis (for himself, Mr. Warnock, Mr. Budd, and Mr. …
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, …
Mr. Tillis (for himself, Mr. Warnock, and Mr. Budd) introduced …
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology