Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026

119 HR 2768 EH: Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026 U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IB 119th CONGRESS2d Session H. R. 2768

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026.

2.Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail feasibility studySection 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (50)Benton Mackaye trail (A)In generalThe Benton MacKaye Trail, a scenic, nonmotorized trail that traverses approximately 287 miles in the States of Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. (B)StudyNot later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with interested organizations, including the Benton MacKaye Trail Association, shall complete and submit to Congress the feasibility study for designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail.. Passed the House of Representatives June 2, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

119 HR 2768 IH: Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-04-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2768IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 9, 2025Mr. Fleischmann (for himself, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Edwards, and Mrs. McBath) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025.

2.FindingsCongress finds that the Benton MacKaye Trail— (1)is a scenic, nonmotorized trail that traverses approximately 287 miles over some of the most renowned forests and mountains in the States of Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina; (2)showcases a wide variety of scenic views, including high-elevation peaks, mature forests, and secluded waterfalls; (3)passes through wilderness that is rich with biodiversity; (4)passes through six designated Wilderness Areas, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Chattahoochee-Oconee, Cherokee, and Nantahala National Forests; (5)provides a wide array of easily accessible hikes for novice and intermediate hikers, as well as more challenging trails for backpacking; (6)supports economic opportunities for numerous rural communities which benefit from the visitors of the trail spending their money on accommodations, food, and outdoor supplies; (7)runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia, through Tennessee, and extends through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina; (8)is physically accessible; and (9)can be maintained at a minimal cost because— (A)the Benton MacKaye Trail has been maintained at its current length since 2005; (B)95 percent of the Benton MacKaye Trail is located on Federal land; and (C)the Benton MacKaye Trail has been successfully constructed, maintained, and managed by the Benton MacKaye Trail Association since 1980.

3.Benton mackaye national scenic trail feasibility studySection 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (50)Benton Mackaye Trail (A)In generalThe Benton MacKaye Trail, a scenic, nonmotorized trail that traverses approximately 287 miles in the States of Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. (B)StudyNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with interested organizations, including the Benton MacKaye Trail Association, shall complete and submit to Congress the feasibility study for designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail..

119 HR 2768 PCS: Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026 U.S. House of Representatives 2026-06-03 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IICalendar No. 426119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 2768IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 3, 2026Received; read twice and placed on the calendarAN ACTTo amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026.2.Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail feasibility studySection 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:(50)Benton Mackaye trail(A)In generalThe Benton MacKaye Trail, a scenic, nonmotorized trail that traverses approximately 287 miles in the States of Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.(B)StudyNot later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with interested organizations, including the Benton MacKaye Trail Association, shall complete and submit to Congress the feasibility study for designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail..Passed the House of Representatives June 2, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.June 3, 2026Received; read twice and placed on the calendar

119 HR 2768 RH: Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026 U.S. House of Representatives 2026-04-02 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IBUnion Calendar No. 502119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 2768[Report No. 119–582]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 9, 2025Mr. Fleischmann (for himself, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Edwards, and Mrs. McBath) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesApril 2, 2026Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 9, 2025A BILLTo amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026.2.Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail feasibility studySection 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:(50)Benton Mackaye trail(A)In generalThe Benton MacKaye Trail, a scenic, nonmotorized trail that traverses approximately 287 miles in the States of Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.(B)StudyNot later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with interested organizations, including the Benton MacKaye Trail Association, shall complete and submit to Congress the feasibility study for designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail..April 2, 2026Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed