16 USC 1241 - Congressional statement of policy and declaration of purpose

Collapse to view only § 1241. Congressional statement of policy and declaration of purpose

§ 1241. Congressional statement of policy and declaration of purpose
§ 1242. National trails system
§ 1243. National recreation trails; establishment and designation; prerequisites
§ 1244. National scenic and national historic trails
§ 1245. Connecting or side trails; establishment, designation, and marking as components of national trails system; location
§ 1246. Administration and development of national trails system
§ 1247. State and local area recreation and historic trails
§ 1248. Easements and rights-of-way
§ 1249. Authorization of appropriations
§ 1250. Volunteer trails assistance
§ 1251. Definitions

§ 1241. Congressional statement of policy and declaration of purpose

(a) Considerations for determining establishment of trails

(b) Initial components

(Pub. L. 90–543, § 2, Oct. 2, 1968, 82 Stat. 919; Pub. L. 95–625, title V, § 551(1)–(3), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3511; Pub. L. 98–11, title II, § 202, Mar. 28, 1983, 97 Stat. 42.)

§ 1242. National trails system

(a) Composition: recreation trails; scenic trails; historic trails; connecting or side trails; uniform markers

The national system of trails shall be composed of the following:

(1) National recreation trails, established as provided in section 1243 of this title, which will provide a variety of outdoor recreation uses in or reasonably accessible to urban areas.

(2) National scenic trails, established as provided in section 1244 of this title, which will be extended trails so located as to provide for maximum outdoor recreation potential and for the conservation and enjoyment of the nationally significant scenic, historic, natural, or cultural qualities of the areas through which such trails may pass. National scenic trails may be located so as to represent desert, marsh, grassland, mountain, canyon, river, forest, and other areas, as well as landforms which exhibit significant characteristics of the physiographic regions of the Nation.

(3) National historic trails, established as provided in section 1244 of this title, which will be extended trails which follow as closely as possible and practicable the original trails or routes of travel of national historical significance. Designation of such trails or routes shall be continuous, but the established or developed trail, and the acquisition thereof, need not be continuous onsite. National historic trails shall have as their purpose the identification and protection of the historic route and its historic remnants and artifacts for public use and enjoyment. Only those selected land and water based components of an historic trail which are on federally owned lands and which meet the national historic trail criteria established in this chapter are included as Federal protection components of a national historic trail. The appropriate Secretary may certify other lands as protected segments of an historic trail upon application from State or local governmental agencies or private interests involved if such segments meet the national historic trail criteria established in this chapter and such criteria supplementary thereto as the appropriate Secretary may prescribe, and are administered by such agencies or interests without expense to the United States.

(4) Connecting or side trails, established as provided in section 1245 of this title, which will provide additional points of public access to national recreation, national scenic or national historic trails or which will provide connections between such trails.

The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with appropriate governmental agencies and public and private organizations, shall establish a uniform marker for the national trails system.

(b) Extended trails

(Pub. L. 90–543, § 3, Oct. 2, 1968, 82 Stat. 919; Pub. L. 95–625, title V, § 551(4), (5), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3511, 3512; Pub. L. 98–11, title II, § 203, Mar. 28, 1983, 97 Stat. 42; Pub. L. 104–333, div. I, title VIII, § 814(d)(1)(E), Nov. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 4196.)

§ 1243. National recreation trails; establishment and designation; prerequisites

(a) The Secretary of the Interior, or the Secretary of Agriculture where lands administered by him are involved, may establish and designate national recreation trails, with the consent of the Federal agency, State, or political subdivision having jurisdiction over the lands involved, upon finding that—

(i) such trails are reasonably accessible to urban areas, and, or

(ii) such trails meet the criteria established in this chapter and such supplementary criteria as he may prescribe.

(b) As provided in this section, trails within park, forest, and other recreation areas administered by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture or in other federally administered areas may be established and designated as “National Recreation Trails” by the appropriate Secretary and, when no Federal land acquisition is involved—

(i) trails in or reasonably accessible to urban areas may be designated as “National Recreation Trails” by the appropriate Secretary with the consent of the States, their political subdivisions, or other appropriate administering agencies;

(ii) trails within park, forest, and other recreation areas owned or administered by States may be designated as “National Recreation Trails” by the appropriate Secretary with the consent of the State; and

(iii) trails on privately owned lands may be designated “National Recreation Trails” by the appropriate Secretary with the written consent of the owner of the property involved.

(Pub. L. 90–543, § 4, Oct. 2, 1968, 82 Stat. 919; Pub. L. 98–11, title II, § 204, Mar. 28, 1983, 97 Stat. 43.)

§ 1244. National scenic and national historic trails

(a) Establishment and designation; administrationNational scenic and national historic trails shall be authorized and designated only by Act of Congress. There are hereby established the following National Scenic and National Historic Trails:

(1) The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a trail of approximately two thousand miles extending generally along the Appalachian Mountains from Mount Katahdin, Maine, to Springer Mountain, Georgia. Insofar as practicable, the right-of-way for such trail shall comprise the trail depicted on the maps identified as “Nationwide System of Trails, Proposed Appalachian Trail, NST–AT–101–May 1967”, which shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Director of the National Park Service. Where practicable, such rights-of-way shall include lands protected for it under agreements in effect as of October 2, 1968, to which Federal agencies and States were parties. The Appalachian Trail shall be administered primarily as a footpath by the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture.

(2) The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, a trail of approximately two thousand three hundred fifty miles, extending from the Mexican-California border northward generally along the mountain ranges of the west coast States to the Canadian-Washington border near Lake Ross, following the route as generally depicted on the map, identified as “Nationwide System of Trails, Proposed Pacific Crest Trail, NST–PC–103–May 1967” which shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Chief of the Forest Service. The Pacific Crest Trail shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior.

(3) The Oregon National Historic Trail, a route of approximately two thousand miles extending from near Independence, Missouri, to the vicinity of Portland, Oregon, following a route as depicted on maps identified as “Primary Route of the Oregon Trail 1841–1848”, in the Department of the Interior’s Oregon Trail study report dated April 1977, and which shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Director of the National Park Service. The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. No land or interest in land outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the Federal Government for the trail except with the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land. The authority of the Federal Government to acquire fee title under this paragraph shall be limited to an average of not more than ¼ mile on either side of the trail.

(4) The Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, a route of approximately one thousand three hundred miles extending from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Salt Lake City, Utah, following the primary historical route of the Mormon Trail as generally depicted on a map, identified as, “Mormon Trail Vicinity Map, figure 2” in the Department of the Interior Mormon Trail study report dated March 1977, and which shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Director, National Park Service, Washington, D.C. The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. No land or interest in land outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the Federal Government for the trail except with the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land. The authority of the Federal Government to acquire fee title under this paragraph shall be limited to an average of not more than ¼ mile on either side of the trail.

(5) The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, a trail of approximately thirty-one hundred miles, extending from the Montana-Canada border to the New Mexico-Mexico border, following the approximate route depicted on the map, identified as “Proposed Continental Divide National Scenic Trail” in the Department of the Interior Continental Divide Trail study report dated March 1977 and which shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Chief, Forest Service, Washington, D.C. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1246(c) of this title, the use of motorized vehicles on roads which will be designated segments of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail shall be permitted in accordance with regulations prescribed by the appropriate Secretary. No land or interest in land outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the Federal Government for the trail except with the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land. The authority of the Federal Government to acquire fee title under this paragraph shall be limited to an average of not more than ¼ mile on either side of the trail.

(6) The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, a trail of approximately 4,900 miles, extending from the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon, following the outbound and inbound routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition depicted on the map entitled “Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Authorized Trail Including Proposed Eastern Legacy Extension”, dated April 2018, and numbered 648/143721. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Director, National Park Service, Washington, D.C. The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. No land or interest in land outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the Federal Government for the trail except with the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land. The authority of the Federal Government to acquire fee title under this paragraph shall be limited to an average of not more than ¼ mile on either side of the trail.

(7) The Iditarod National Historic Trail, a route of approximately two thousand miles extending from Seward, Alaska, to Nome, Alaska, following the routes as depicted on maps identified as “Seward-Nome Trail”, in the Department of the Interior’s study report entitled “The Iditarod Trail (Seward-Nome Route) and other Alaskan Gold Rush Trails” dated September 1977. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Director, National Park Service, Washington, D.C. The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. No land or interest in land outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the Federal Government for the trail except with the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land. The authority of the Federal Government to acquire fee title under this paragraph shall be limited to an average of not more than ¼ mile on either side of the trail.

(8) The North Country National Scenic Trail, a trail of approximately 4,600 miles, extending from the Appalachian Trail in Vermont to the vicinity of Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota, following the approximate route depicted on the map identified as “ ‘North 1

1 So in original. The additional quotation mark probably should not appear.

Country National Scenic Trail, Authorized Route”, dated February 2014, and numbered 649/116870. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Director, National Park Service, Washington, District of Columbia. The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. No land or interest in land outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the Federal Government for the trail except with the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land.

(9) The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, a system totaling approximately two hundred seventy-two miles of trail with routes from the mustering point near Abingdon, Virginia, to Sycamore Shoals (near Elizabethton, Tennessee); from Sycamore Shoals to Quaker Meadows (near Morganton, North Carolina); from the mustering point in Surry County, North Carolina, to Quaker Meadows; and from Quaker Meadows to Kings Mountain, South Carolina, as depicted on the map identified as Map 3—Historic Features—1780 in the draft study report entitled “Overmountain Victory Trail” dated December 1979. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Director, National Park Service, Washington, District of Columbia. The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior.

(10) The Ice Age National Scenic Trail, a trail of approximately one thousand miles, extending from Door County, Wisconsin, to Interstate Park in Saint Croix County, Wisconsin, generally following the route described in “On the Trail of the Ice Age—A Hiker’s and Biker’s Guide to Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scientific Reserve and Trail”, by Henry S. Reuss, Member of Congress, dated 1980. The guide and maps shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Director, National Park Service, Washington, District of Columbia. Overall administration of the trail shall be the responsibility of the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. The State of Wisconsin, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, may, subject to the approval of the Secretary, prepare a plan for the management of the trail which shall be deemed to meet the requirements of subsection (e) of this section. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1246(c) of this title, snowmobile use may be permitted on segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail where deemed appropriate by the Secretary and the managing authority responsible for the segment. No land or interest in land outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the Federal Government for the trail except with the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land.

(11) The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, a corridor of approximately seven hundred and four miles following the route as generally depicted on the map identified as “National Trails System, Proposed Potomac Heritage Trail” in “The Potomac Heritage Trail”, a report prepared by the Department of the Interior and dated December 1974, except that no designation of the trail shall be made in the State of West Virginia. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Director of the National Park Service, Washington, District of Columbia. The trail shall initially consist of only those segments of the corridor located within the exterior boundaries of federally administered areas. The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. No land or interest in land outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the Federal Government for the trail except with the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land.

(12) The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail, a trail system of approximately six hundred and ninety-four miles extending from Nashville, Tennessee, to Natchez, Mississippi, as depicted on the map entitled “Concept Plan, Natchez Trace Trails Study” in “The Natchez Trace”, a report prepared by the Department of the Interior and dated August 1979. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Director of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, District of Columbia. The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior.

(13) The Florida National Scenic Trail, a route of approximately thirteen hundred miles extending through the State of Florida as generally depicted in “The Florida Trail”, a national scenic trail study draft report prepared by the Department of the Interior and dated February 1980. The report shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Chief of the Forest Service, Washington, District of Columbia. No lands or interests therein outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the Federal Government for the Florida Trail except with the consent of the owner thereof. The Secretary of Agriculture may designate lands outside of federally administered areas as segments of the trail, only upon application from the States or local governmental agencies involved, if such segments meet the criteria established in this chapter and are administered by such agencies without expense to the United States. The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.

(14) The Nez Perce National Historic Trail, a route of approximately eleven hundred and seventy miles extending from the vicinity of Wallowa Lake, Oregon, to Bear Paw Mountain, Montana, as generally depicted in “Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) Trail Study Report” prepared by the Department of Agriculture and dated March 1982. The report shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service, Washington, District of Columbia. The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. So that significant route segments and sites recognized as associated with the Nez Perce Trail may be distinguished by suitable markers, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to accept the donation of suitable markers for placement at appropriate locations. Any such markers associated with the Nez Perce Trail which are to be located on lands administered by any other department or agency of the United States may be placed on such lands only with the concurrence of the head of such department or agency. No land or interest in land outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the Federal Government for the trail except with the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land. The authority of the Federal Government to acquire fee title under this paragraph shall be limited to an average of not more than ¼ mile on either side of the trail.

(15) The Santa Fe National Historic Trail, a trail of approximately 950 miles from a point near Old Franklin, Missouri, through Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado to Santa Fe, New Mexico, as generally depicted on a map entitled “The Santa Fe Trail” contained in the Final Report of the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, dated July 1976. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Director of the National Park Service, Washington, District of Columbia. The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. No lands or interests therein outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the Federal Government for the Santa Fe Trail except with the consent of the owner thereof. Before acquiring any easement or entering into any cooperative agreement with a private landowner with respect to the trail, the Secretary shall notify the landowner of the potential liability, if any, for injury to the public resulting from physical conditions which may be on the landowner’s land. The United States shall not be held liable by reason of such notice or failure to provide such notice to the landowner. So that significant route segments and sites recognized as associated with the Santa Fe Trail may be distinguished by suitable markers, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to accept the donation of suitable markers for placement at appropriate locations.

(16)

(A) The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, a trail consisting of water routes and overland routes traveled by the Cherokee Nation during its removal from ancestral lands in the East to Oklahoma during 1838 and 1839, generally located within the corridor described through portions of Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma in the final report of the Secretary of the Interior prepared pursuant to subsection (b) of this section entitled “Trail of Tears” and dated June 1986. Maps depicting the corridor shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. No lands or interests therein outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the Federal Government for the Trail of Tears except with the consent of the owner thereof.

(B) In carrying out his responsibilities pursuant to sections 1244(f) and 1246(c) of this title, the Secretary of the Interior shall give careful consideration to the establishment of appropriate interpretive sites for the Trail of Tears in the vicinity of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Fort Smith, Arkansas, Trail of Tears State Park, Missouri, and Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

(C) In addition to the areas otherwise designated under this paragraph, the following routes and land components by which the Cherokee Nation was removed to Oklahoma are components of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, as generally described in the environmentally preferred alternative of the November 2007 Feasibility Study Amendment and Environmental Assessment for Trail of Tears National Historic Trail:

(i) The Benge and Bell routes.

(ii) The land components of the designated water routes in Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

(iii) The routes from the collection forts in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee to the emigration depots.

(iv) The related campgrounds located along the routes and land components described in clauses (i) through (iii).

(D) The Secretary may accept donations for the Trail from private, nonprofit, or tribal organizations. No lands or interests in lands outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the Federal Government for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail except with the consent of the owner thereof.

(17) The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, a trail comprising the overland route traveled by Captain Juan Bautista de Anza of Spain during the years 1775 and 1776 from Sonora, Mexico, to the vicinity of San Francisco, California, of approximately 1,200 miles through Arizona and California, as generally described in the report of the Department of the Interior prepared pursuant to subsection (b) entitled “Juan Bautista de Anza National Trail Study, Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment” and dated August 1986. A map generally depicting the trail shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Director of the National Park Service, Washington, District of Columbia. The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. No lands or interests therein outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the Federal Government for the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail without the consent of the owner thereof. In implementing this paragraph, the Secretary shall encourage volunteer trail groups to participate in the development and maintenance of the trail.

(18) The California National Historic Trail, a route of approximately five thousand seven hundred miles, including all routes and cutoffs, extending from Independence and Saint Joseph, Missouri, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, to various points in California and Oregon, as generally described in the report of the Department of the Interior prepared pursuant to subsection (b) of this section entitled “California and Pony Express Trails, Eligibility/Feasibility Study/Environmental Assessment” and dated September 1987. A map generally depicting the route shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. No lands or interests therein outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the United States for the California National Historic Trail except with the consent of the owner thereof.

(19) The Pony Express National Historic Trail, a route of approximately one thousand nine hundred miles, including the original route and subsequent route changes, extending from Saint Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, as generally described in the report of the Department of the Interior prepared pursuant to subsection (b) of this section entitled “California and Pony Express Trails, Eligibility/Feasibility Study/Environmental Assessment”, and dated September 1987. A map generally depicting the route shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. No lands or interests therein outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the United States for the Pony Express National Historic Trail except with the consent of the owner thereof.

(20) The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, consisting of 54 miles of city streets and United States Highway 80 from Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church in Selma to the State Capitol Building in Montgomery, Alabama, traveled by voting rights advocates during March 1965 to dramatize the need for voting rights legislation, as generally described in the report of the Secretary of the Interior prepared pursuant to subsection (b) of this section entitled “Selma to Montgomery” and dated April 1993. Maps depicting the route shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. The trail shall be administered in accordance with this chapter, including section 1246(h) of this title. The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the National Park Service, which shall be the lead Federal agency, shall cooperate with other Federal, State and local authorities to preserve historic sites along the route, including (but not limited to) the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church.

(21)El camino real de tierra adentro.—

(A) El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (the Royal Road of the Interior) National Historic Trail, a 404 mile long trail from the Rio Grande near El Paso, Texas to San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico, as generally depicted on the maps entitled “United States Route: El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro”, contained in the report prepared pursuant to subsection (b) entitled “National Historic Trail Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment: El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, Texas-New Mexico”, dated March 1997.

(B)Map.—A map generally depicting the trail shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

(C)Administration.—The Trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior.

(D)Land acquisition.—No lands or interests therein outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the Federal Government for El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro except with the consent of the owner thereof.

(E)Volunteer groups; consultation.—The Secretary of the Interior shall—

(i) encourage volunteer trail groups to participate in the development and maintenance of the trail; and

(ii) consult with other affected Federal, State, local governmental, and tribal agencies in the administration of the trail.

(F)Coordination of activities.—The Secretary of the Interior may coordinate with United States and Mexican public and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the government of Mexico and its political subdivisions, for the purpose of exchanging trail information and research, fostering trail preservation and educational programs, providing technical assistance, and working to establish an international historic trail with complementary preservation and education programs in each nation.

(22)Ala kahakai national historic trail.—

(A)In general.—The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail (the Trail by the Sea), a 175 mile long trail extending from ‘Upolu Point on the north tip of Hawaii Island down the west coast of the Island around Ka Lae to the east boundary of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park at the ancient shoreline temple known as “Waha‘ula”, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Ala Kahakai Trail”, contained in the report prepared pursuant to subsection (b) entitled “Ala Kahakai National Trail Study and Environmental Impact Statement”, dated January 1998.

(B)Map.—A map generally depicting the trail shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

(C)Administration.—The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior.

(D)Land acquisition.—No land or interest in land outside the exterior boundaries of any federally administered area may be acquired by the United States for the trail except with the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land.

(E)Public participation; consultation.—The Secretary of the Interior shall—

(i) encourage communities and owners of land along the trail, native Hawaiians, and volunteer trail groups to participate in the planning, development, and maintenance of the trail; and

(ii) consult with affected Federal, State, and local agencies, native Hawaiian groups, and landowners in the administration of the trail.

(23)Old spanish national historic trail.—

(A)In general.—The Old Spanish National Historic Trail, an approximately 2,700 mile long trail extending from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Los Angeles, California, that served as a major trade route between 1829 and 1848, as generally depicted on the maps numbered 1 through 9, as contained in the report entitled “Old Spanish Trail National Historic Trail Feasibility Study”, dated July 2001, including the Armijo Route, Northern Route, North Branch, and Mojave Road.

(B)Map.—A map generally depicting the trail shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Department of the Interior.

(C)Administration.—The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this paragraph as the “Secretary”).

(D)Land acquisition.—The United States shall not acquire for the trail any land or interest in land outside the exterior boundary of any federally-managed area without the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land.

(E)Consultation.—The Secretary shall consult with other Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies in the administration of the trail.

(F)Additional routes.—The Secretary may designate additional routes to the trail if—

(i) the additional routes were included in the Old Spanish Trail National Historic Trail Feasibility Study, but were not recommended for designation as a national historic trail; and

(ii) the Secretary determines that the additional routes were used for trade and commerce between 1829 and 1848.

(24)El camino real de los tejas national historic trail.—

(A)In general.—El Camino Real de los Tejas (the Royal Road to the Tejas) National Historic Trail, a combination of historic routes (including the Old San Antonio Road) totaling approximately 2,580 miles, extending from the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass and Laredo, Texas, to Natchitoches, Louisiana, as generally depicted on the map entitled “El Camino Real de los Tejas” contained in the report entitled “National Historic Trail Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment: El Camino Real de los Tejas, Texas-Louisiana”, dated July 1998.

(B)Map.—A map generally depicting the trail shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

(C)Administration.—

(i) The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this paragraph as “the Secretary”) shall administer the trail.

(ii) The Secretary shall administer those portions of the trail on non-Federal land only with the consent of the owner of such land and when such trail portion qualifies for certification as an officially established component of the trail, consistent with section 1242(a)(3) of this title. An owner’s approval of a certification agreement shall satisfy the consent requirement. A certification agreement may be terminated at any time.

(iii) The designation of the trail does not authorize any person to enter private property without the consent of the owner.

(D)Consultation.—The Secretary shall consult with appropriate State and local agencies in the planning and development of the trail.

(E)Coordination of activities.—The Secretary may coordinate with United States and Mexican public and nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions, and, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Government of Mexico and its political subdivisions, for the purpose of exchanging trail information and research, fostering trail preservation and educational programs, providing technical assistance, and working to establish an international historic trail with complementary preservation and education programs in each nation.

(F)Land acquisition.—The United States shall not acquire for the trail any land or interest in land outside the exterior boundary of any federally-administered area without the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land.

(25)Captain john smith chesapeake national historic trail.—

(A)In general.—The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, a series of water routes extending approximately 3,000 miles along the Chesapeake Bay and the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay in the States of Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, and in the District of Columbia, that traces the 1607–1609 voyages of Captain John Smith to chart the land and waterways of the Chesapeake Bay, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Map MD, VA, DE, and DC”, numbered P–16/8000 (CAJO), and dated May 2006.

(B)Map.—The map referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

(C)Administration.—The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior—

(i) in coordination with—(I) the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network authorized under the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2961); and(II) the Chesapeake Bay Program authorized under section 1267 of title 33; and

(ii) in consultation with—(I) other Federal, State, tribal, regional, and local agencies; and(II) the private sector.

(26)Star-spangled banner national historic trail.—

(A)In general.—The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, a trail consisting of water and overland routes totaling approximately 290 miles, extending from Tangier Island, Virginia, through southern Maryland, the District of Columbia, and northern Virginia, in the Chesapeake Bay, Patuxent River, Potomac River, and north to the Patapsco River, and Baltimore, Maryland, commemorating the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812 (including the British invasion of Washington, District of Columbia, and its associated feints, and the Battle of Baltimore in summer 1814), as generally depicted on the map titled “Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail”, numbered T02/80,000, and dated June 2007.

(B)Map.—The map referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be maintained on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

(C)Administration.—Subject to subparagraph (E)(ii), the trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior.

(E)Public participation.—The Secretary of the Interior shall—

(i) encourage communities, owners of land along the trail, and volunteer trail groups to participate in the planning, development, and maintenance of the trail; and

(ii) consult with other affected landowners and Federal, State, and local agencies in the administration of the trail.

(F)Interpretation and assistance.—Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of the Interior may provide, to State and local governments and nonprofit organizations, interpretive programs and services and technical assistance for use in—

(i) carrying out preservation and development of the trail; and

(ii) providing education relating to the War of 1812 along the trail.

(27)Arizona national scenic trail.—

(A)In general.—The Arizona National Scenic Trail, extending approximately 807 miles across the State of Arizona from the U.S.–Mexico international border to the Arizona–Utah border, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Arizona National Scenic Trail” and dated December 5, 2007, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and appropriate State, tribal, and local governmental agencies.

(B)Availability of map.—The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in appropriate offices of the Forest Service.

(28)New england national scenic trail.—The New England National Scenic Trail, a continuous trail extending approximately 220 miles from the border of New Hampshire in the town of Royalston, Massachusetts to Long Island Sound in the town of Guilford, Connecticut, as generally depicted on the map titled “New England National Scenic Trail Proposed Route”, numbered T06/80,000, and dated October 2007. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service. The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with appropriate Federal, State, tribal, regional, and local agencies, and other organizations, shall administer the trail after considering the recommendations of the report titled the “Metacomet Monadnock Mattabesset Trail System National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment”, prepared by the National Park Service, and dated Spring 2006. The United States shall not acquire for the trail any land or interest in land without the consent of the owner.

(29)Washington-rochambeau revolutionary route national historic trail.—

(A)In general.—The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail, a corridor of approximately 600 miles following the route taken by the armies of General George Washington and Count Rochambeau between Newport, Rhode Island, and Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781 and 1782, as generally depicted on the map entitled “WASHINGTON-ROCHAMBEAU REVOLUTIONARY ROUTE NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL”, numbered T01/80,001, and dated June 2007.

(B)Map.—The map referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

(C)Administration.—The trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with—

(i) other Federal, State, tribal, regional, and local agencies; and

(ii) the private sector.

(30)Pacific northwest national scenic trail.—

(A)In general.—The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, a trail of approximately 1,200 miles, extending from the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park, Montana, to the Pacific Ocean Coast in Olympic National Park, Washington, following the route depicted on the map entitled “Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail: Proposed Trail”, numbered T12/80,000, and dated February 2008 (referred to in this paragraph as the “map”).

(B)Availability of map.—The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest Service.

(C)Administration.—The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.

(D)Land acquisition.—The United States shall not acquire for the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail any land or interest in land outside the exterior boundary of any federally-managed area without the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land.

(31)2

2 So in original. Two pars. (31) have been enacted.

Chilkoot national historic trail.—

(A)In general.—The Chilkoot National Historic Trail, an approximately 16.5-mile route within the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park that was traditionally used as a trading route by the Tlingit Indian Tribe and Tagish First Nation and as a gold rush route, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Proposed Chilkoot National Historic Trail”, numbered KLGO–461–173787, and dated October 2020.

(B)Availability of map.—The map described in subparagraph (A) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

(C)Administration.—The Chilkoot National Historic Trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior.

(D)Effect.—The designation of the Chilkoot National Historic Trail shall not affect any authorities under Public Law 94–323 (16 U.S.C. 410bb et seq.).

(E)Coordination of activities.—The Secretary of the Interior may coordinate with public and nongovernmental organizations and institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada, Alaska Native Corporations, and, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Government of Canada and any political subdivisions of the Government of Canada for the purposes of—

(i) exchanging information and research relating to the Chilkoot National Historic Trail;

(ii) supporting the preservation of, and educational programs relating to, the Chilkoot National Historic Trail;

(iii) providing technical assistance with respect to the Chilkoot National Historic Trail; and

(iv) working to establish an international historic trail incorporating the Chilkoot National Historic Trail that provides for complementary preservation and education programs in the United States and Canada.

(31)2 Butterfield overland national historic trail.—

(A)In general.—The Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail, a trail of approximately 3,292 miles following the route operated by the Butterfield Overland Mail Company, known as the “Ox-Bow Route”, to transport mail and passengers between the eastern termini of St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee, and extending westward through the States of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, to the western terminus of San Francisco, California, as generally depicted on the maps numbered 1 through 15, entitled “Study Route Maps”, and contained in the report prepared by the National Park Service entitled “Butterfield Overland Trail National Historical Trail Special Resource Study” and dated May 2018.

(B)Maps.—The maps described in subparagraph (A) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

(C)Administration.—The trail established by subparagraph (A) shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior.

(D)Land acquisition.—The United States shall not acquire for the trail established by subparagraph (A) any land or interest in land outside of the exterior boundary of any federally administered area without the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land.

(E)No buffer zone created.—

(i)In general.—Nothing in this paragraph, the acquisition of land or an interest in land authorized by this paragraph, or any management plan for the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail creates a buffer zone outside of the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail.

(ii)Outside activities.—The fact that an activity or use on land outside the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail can be seen, heard, or detected from land or an interest in land acquired for the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail shall not preclude, limit, control, regulate, or determine the conduct or management of the activity or use.

(F)Effect on energy development, production, or transmission.—Nothing in this paragraph, the acquisition of land or an interest in land authorized by this paragraph, or any management plan for the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail shall prohibit, hinder, or disrupt the development, production, or transmission of energy.

(G)No eminent domain or condemnation.—In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary of the Interior may not use eminent domain or condemnation.

(b) Additional national scenic or national historic trails; feasibility studies; consultations; submission of studies to Congress; scope of studies; qualifications for national historic trail designationThe Secretary of the Interior, through the agency most likely to administer such trail, and the Secretary of Agriculture where lands administered by him are involved, shall make such additional studies as are herein or may hereafter be authorized by the Congress for the purpose of determining the feasibility and desirability of designating other trails as national scenic or national historic trails. Such studies shall be made in consultation with the heads of other Federal agencies administering lands through which such additional proposed trails would pass and in cooperation with interested interstate, State, and local governmental agencies, public and private organizations, and landowners and land users concerned. The feasibility of designating a trail shall be determined on the basis of an evaluation of whether or not it is physically possible to develop a trail along a route being studied, and whether the development of a trail would be financially feasible. The studies listed in subsection (c) of this section shall be completed and submitted to the Congress, with recommendations as to the suitability of trail designation, not later than three complete fiscal years from the date of enactment of their addition to this subsection, or from November 10, 1978, whichever is later. Such studies, when submitted, shall be printed as a House or Senate document, and shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) the proposed route of such trail (including maps and illustrations);

(2) the areas adjacent to such trails, to be utilized for scenic, historic, natural, cultural, or developmental, purposes;

(3) the characteristics which, in the judgment of the appropriate Secretary, make the proposed trail worthy of designation as a national scenic or national historic trail; and in the case of national historic trails the report shall include the recommendation of the Secretary of the Interior’s National Park System Advisory Board as to the national historic significance based on the criteria developed under the Historic Sites Act of 1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 461); 3

3 See References in Text note below.

(4) the current status of land ownership and current and potential use along the designated route;

(5) the estimated cost of acquisition of lands or interests in lands, if any;

(6) the plans for developing and maintaining the trail and the cost thereof;

(7) the proposed Federal administering agency (which, in the case of a national scenic trail wholly or substantially within a national forest, shall be the Department of Agriculture);

(8) the extent to which a State or its political subdivisions and public and private organizations might reasonably be expected to participate in acquiring the necessary lands and in the administration thereof;

(9) the relative uses of the lands involved, including: the number of anticipated visitor-days for the entire length of, as well as for segments of, such trail; the number of months which such trail, or segments thereof, will be open for recreation purposes; the economic and social benefits which might accrue from alternate land uses; and the estimated man-years of civilian employment and expenditures expected for the purposes of maintenance, supervision, and regulation of such trail;

(10) the anticipated impact of public outdoor recreation use on the preservation of a proposed national historic trail and its related historic and archeological features and settings, including the measures proposed to ensure evaluation and preservation of the values that contribute to their national historic significance; and

(11) to qualify for designation as a national historic trail, a trail must meet all three of the following criteria:

(A) It must be a trail or route established by historic use and must be historically significant as a result of that use. The route need not currently exist as a discernible trail to qualify, but its location must be sufficiently known to permit evaluation of public recreation and historical interest potential. A designated trail should generally accurately follow the historic route, but may deviate somewhat on occasion of necessity to avoid difficult routing through subsequent development, or to provide some route variation offering a more pleasurable recreational experience. Such deviations shall be so noted on site. Trail segments no longer possible to travel by trail due to subsequent development as motorized transportation routes may be designated and marked onsite as segments which link to the historic trail.

(B) It must be of national significance with respect to any of several broad facets of American history, such as trade and commerce, exploration, migration and settlement, or military campaigns. To qualify as nationally significant, historic use of the trail must have had a far-reaching effect on broad patterns of American culture. Trails significant in the history of native Americans may be included.

(C) It must have significant potential for public recreational use or historical interest based on historic interpretation and appreciation. The potential for such use is generally greater along roadless segments developed as historic trails, and at historic sites associated with the trail. The presence of recreation potential not related to historic appreciation is not sufficient justification for designation under this category.

(c) Routes subject to consideration for designation as national scenic trailsThe following routes shall be studied in accordance with the objectives outlined in subsection (b) of this section:

(1) Continental Divide Trail, a three-thousand-one-hundred-mile trail extending from near the Mexican border in southwestern New Mexico northward generally along the Continental Divide to the Canadian border in Glacier National Park.

(2) Potomac Heritage Trail, an eight-hundred-and-twenty-five-mile trail extending generally from the mouth of the Potomac River to its sources in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, including the one-hundred-and-seventy-mile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath.

(3) Old Cattle Trails of the Southwest from the vicinity of San Antonio, Texas, approximately eight hundred miles through Oklahoma via Baxter Springs and Chetopa, Kansas, to Fort Scott, Kansas, including the Chisholm Trail, from the vicinity of San Antonio or Cuero, Texas, approximately eight hundred miles north through Oklahoma to Abilene, Kansas.

(4) Lewis and Clark Trail, from Wood River, Illinois, to the Pacific Ocean in Oregon, following both the outbound and inbound routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

(5) Natchez Trace, from Nashville, Tennessee, approximately six hundred miles to Natchez, Mississippi.

(6) North Country Trail, from the Appalachian Trail in Vermont, approximately three thousand two hundred miles through the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, to the Lewis and Clark Trail in North Dakota.

(7) Kittanning Trail from Shirleysburg in Huntingdon County to Kittanning, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.

(8) Oregon Trail, from Independence, Missouri, approximately two thousand miles to near Fort Vancouver, Washington.

(9) Santa Fe Trail, from Independence, Missouri, approximately eight hundred miles to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

(10) Long Trail, extending two hundred and fifty-five miles from the Massachusetts border northward through Vermont to the Canadian border.

(11) Mormon Trail, extending from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Salt Lake City, Utah, through the States of Iowa, Nebraska, and Wyoming.

(12) Gold Rush Trails in Alaska.

(13) Mormon Battalion Trail, extending two thousand miles from Mount Pisgah, Iowa, through Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona to Los Angeles, California.

(14) El Camino Real from St. Augustine to San Mateo, Florida, approximately 20 miles along the southern boundary of the St. Johns River from Fort Caroline National Memorial to the St. Augustine National Park Monument.

(15) Bartram Trail, extending through the States of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

(16) Daniel Boone Trail, extending from the vicinity of Statesville, North Carolina, to Fort Boonesborough State Park, Kentucky.

(17) Desert Trail, extending from the Canadian border through parts of Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, and Arizona, to the Mexican border.

(18) Dominguez-Escalante Trail, extending approximately two thousand miles along the route of the 1776 expedition led by Father Francisco Atanasio Dominguez and Father Silvestre Velez de Escalante, originating in Santa Fe, New Mexico; proceeding northwest along the San Juan, Dolores, Gunnison, and White Rivers in Colorado; thence westerly to Utah Lake; thence southward to Arizona and returning to Santa Fe.

(19) Florida Trail, extending north from Everglades National Park, including the Big Cypress Swamp, the Kissimmee Prairie, the Withlacoochee State Forest, Ocala National Forest, Osceola National Forest, and Black Water River State Forest, said completed trail to be approximately one thousand three hundred miles long, of which over four hundred miles of trail have already been built.

(20) Indian Nations Trail, extending from the Red River in Oklahoma approximately two hundred miles northward through the former Indian nations to the Oklahoma-Kansas boundary line.

(21) Nez Perce Trail extending from the vicinity of Wallowa Lake, Oregon, to Bear Paw Mountain, Montana.

(22) Pacific Northwest Trail, extending approximately one thousand miles from the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park, Montana, to the Pacific Ocean beach of Olympic National Park, Washington, by way of—

(A) Flathead National Forest and Kootenai National Forest in the State of Montana;

(B) Kaniksu National Forest in the State of Idaho; and

(C) Colville National Forest, Okanogan National Forest, Pasayten Wilderness Area, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, North Cascades National Park, Mount Baker, the Skagit River, Deception Pass, Whidbey Island, Olympic National Forest, and Olympic National Park in the State of Washington.

(23) Overmountain Victory Trail, extending from the vicinity of Elizabethton, Tennessee, to Kings Mountain National Military Park, South Carolina.

(24) Juan Bautista de Anza Trail, following the overland route taken by Juan Bautista de Anza in connection with his travels from the United Mexican States to San Francisco, California.

(25) Trail of Tears, including the associated forts and specifically, Fort Mitchell, Alabama, and historic properties, extending from the vicinity of Murphy, North Carolina, through Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas, to the vicinity of Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

(26) Illinois Trail, extending from the Lewis and Clark Trail at Wood River, Illinois, to the Chicago Portage National Historic Site, generally following the Illinois River and the Illinois and Michigan Canal.

(27) Jedediah Smith Trail, to include the routes of the explorations led by Jedediah Smith—

(A) during the period 1826–1827, extending from the Idaho-Wyoming border, through the Great Salt Lake, Sevier, Virgin, and Colorado River Valleys, and the Mojave Desert, to the San Gabriel Mission, California; thence through the Tehachapi Mountains, San Joaquin and Stanislaus River Valleys, Ebbetts Pass, Walker River Valley, Bald Mount, Mount Grafton, and Great Salt Lake to Bear Lake, Utah; and

(B) during 1828, extending from the Sacramento and Trinity River Valleys along the Pacific coastline, through the Smith and Willamette River Valleys to the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Washington, on the Columbia River.

(28) General Crook Trail, extending from Prescott, Arizona, across the Mogollon Rim to Fort Apache.

(29) Beale Wagon Road, within the Kaibab and Coconino National Forests in Arizona: Provided, That such study may be prepared in conjunction with ongoing planning processes for these National Forests to be completed before 1990.

(30) Pony Express Trail, extending from Saint Joseph, Missouri, through Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, to Sacramento, California, as indicated on a map labeled “Potential Pony Express Trail”, dated October 1983 and the California Trail, extending from the vicinity of Omaha, Nebraska, and Saint Joseph, Missouri, to various points in California, as indicated on a map labeled “Potential California Trail” and dated August 1, 1983. Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, the study under this paragraph shall be completed and submitted to the Congress no later than the end of two complete fiscal years beginning after August 28, 1984. Such study shall be separated into two portions, one relating to the Pony Express Trail and one relating to the California Trail.

(31) De Soto Trail, the approximate route taken by the expedition of the Spanish explorer Hernado de Soto in 1539, extending through portions of the States of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, to the area of Little Rock, Arkansas, on to Texas and Louisiana, and any other States which may have been crossed by the expedition. The study under this paragraph shall be prepared in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, except that it shall be completed and submitted to the Congress with recommendations as to the trail’s suitability for designation not later than one calendar year after December 11, 1987.

(32) Coronado Trail, the approximate route taken by the expedition of the Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado between 1540 and 1542, extending through portions of the States of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The study under this paragraph shall be prepared in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. In conducting the study under this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide for (A) the review of all original Spanish documentation on the Coronado Trail, (B) the continuing search for new primary documentation on the trail, and (C) the examination of all information on the archeological sites along the trail.

(33) The route from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama traveled by people in a march dramatizing the need for voting rights legislation, in March 1965, includes Sylvan South Street, Water Avenue, the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and Highway 80. The study under this paragraph shall be prepared in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, except that it shall be completed and submitted to the Congress with recommendations as to the trail’s suitability for designation not later than 1 year after July 3, 1990.

(34) American Discovery Trail, extending from Pt. Reyes, California, across the United States through Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, to Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware; to include in the central United States a northern route through Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana and a southern route through Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana.

(35) Ala Kahakai Trail in the State of Hawaii, an ancient Hawaiian trail on the Island of Hawaii extending from the northern tip of the Island of Hawaii approximately 175 miles along the western and southern coasts to the northern boundary of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

(36)

(A) El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the approximately 1,800 mile route extending from Mexico City, Mexico, across the international border at El Paso, Texas, to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

(B) The study shall—

(i) examine changing routes within the general corridor;

(ii) examine major connecting branch routes; and

(iii) give due consideration to alternative name designations.

(C) The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to work in cooperation with the Government of Mexico (including, but not limited to providing technical assistance) to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing an international historic route along the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro.

(37)

(A) El Camino Real Para Los Texas, the approximate series of routes from Saltillo, Monclova, and Guerrero, Mexico across Texas through San Antonio and Nacogdoches, to the vicinity of Los Adaes, Louisiana, together with the evolving routes later known as the San Antonio Road.

(B) The study shall—

(i) examine the changing roads within the historic corridor;

(ii) examine the major connecting branch routes;

(iii) determine the individual or combined suitability and feasibility of routes for potential national historic trail designation;

(iv) consider the preservation heritage plan developed by the Texas Department of Transportation entitled “A Texas Legacy: The Old San Antonio Road and the Caminos Reales”, dated January, 1991; and

(v) make recommendations concerning the suitability and feasibility of establishing an international historical park where the trail crosses the United States-Mexico border at Maverick County, Texas, and Guerrero, Mexico.

(C) The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to work in cooperation with the government of Mexico (including, but not limited to providing technical assistance) to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing an international historic trail along the El Camino Real Para Los Texas.

(D) The study shall be undertaken in consultation with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the Texas Department of Transportation.

(E) The study shall consider alternative name designations for the trail.

(F) The study shall be completed no later than two years after the date funds are made available for the study.

(38) The Old Spanish Trail, beginning in Santa Fe, New Mexico, proceeding through Colorado and Utah, and ending in Los Angeles, California, and the Northern Branch of the Old Spanish Trail, beginning near Espanola, New Mexico, proceeding through Colorado, and ending near Crescent Junction, Utah.

(39) The Great Western Scenic Trail, a system of trails to accommodate a variety of travel users in a corridor of approximately 3,100 miles in length extending from the Arizona-Mexico border to the Idaho-Montana-Canada border, following the approximate route depicted on the map identified as “Great Western Trail Corridor, 1988”, which shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture. The trail study shall be conducted by the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, in accordance with subsection (b) and shall include—

(A) the current status of land ownership and current and potential use along the designated route;

(B) the estimated cost of acquisition of lands or interests in lands, if any; and

(40)Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail.—

(A)In general.—The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, tracing the War of 1812 route from the arrival of the British fleet in the Patuxent River in Calvert County and St. Mary’s County, Maryland, the landing of the British forces at Benedict, the sinking of the Chesapeake Flotilla at Pig Point, the American defeat at the Battle of Bladensburg, the siege of the Nation’s Capital, Washington, District of Columbia (including the burning of the United States Capitol and the White House), the British naval diversions in the upper Chesapeake Bay leading to the Battle of Caulk’s Field in Kent County, Maryland, the route of the American troops from Washington through Georgetown, the Maryland Counties of Montgomery, Howard, and Baltimore, and the City of Baltimore, Maryland, to the Battle of North Point, and the ultimate victory of the Americans at Fort McHenry on September 14, 1814.

(B)Affected areas.—The trail crosses eight counties within the boundaries of the State of Maryland, the City of Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, District of Columbia.

(C)Coordination with other congressionally mandated activities.—The study under this paragraph shall be undertaken in coordination with the study authorized under section 603 of the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 4172) and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network authorized under the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2961). Such coordination shall extend to any research needed to complete the studies and any findings and implementation actions that result from the studies and shall use available resources to the greatest extent possible to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort.

(D)Deadline for study.—Not later than 2 years after funds are made available for the study under this paragraph, the study shall be completed and transmitted with final recommendations to the Committee on Resources in the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in the Senate.

(41)Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett Trail.—The Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett Trail, a system of trails and potential trails extending southward approximately 180 miles through western Massachusetts on the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail, across central Connecticut on the Metacomet Trail and the Mattabesett Trail, and ending at Long Island Sound.

(42) The Long Walk Trail, a series of routes which the Navajo and Mescalero Apache Indian tribes were forced to walk beginning in the fall of 1863 as a result of their removal by the United States Government from their ancestral lands, generally located within a corridor extending through portions of Canyon de Chelley, Arizona, and Albuquerque, Canyon Blanco, Anton Chico, Canyon Piedra Pintado, and Fort Sumner, New Mexico.

(43)

(A) The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Watertrail, a series of routes extending approximately 3,000 miles along the Chesapeake Bay and the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay in the States of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware and the District of Columbia that traces Captain John Smith’s voyages charting the land and waterways of the Chesapeake Bay and the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay.

(B) The study shall be conducted in consultation with Federal, State, regional, and local agencies and representatives of the private sector, including the entities responsible for administering—

(i) the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network authorized under the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 (title V of Public Law 105–312); and

(ii) the Chesapeake Bay Program authorized under section 1267 of title 33.

(C) The study shall include an extensive analysis of the potential impacts the designation of the trail as a national historic watertrail is likely to have on land and water, including docks and piers, along the proposed route or bordering the study route that is privately owned at the time the study is conducted.

(44)Chisholm Trail.—

(A)In general.—The Chisholm Trail (also known as the “Abilene Trail”), from the vicinity of San Antonio, Texas, segments from the vicinity of Cuero, Texas, to Ft. Worth, Texas, Duncan, Oklahoma, alternate segments used through Oklahoma, to Enid, Oklahoma, Caldwell, Kansas, Wichita, Kansas, Abilene, Kansas, and commonly used segments running to alternative Kansas destinations.

(B)Requirement.—In conducting the study required under this paragraph, the Secretary of the Interior shall identify the point at which the trail originated south of San Antonio, Texas.

(45)Great Western Trail.—

(A)In general.—The Great Western Trail (also known as the “Dodge City Trail”), from the vicinity of San Antonio, Texas, north-by-northwest through the vicinities of Kerrville and Menard, Texas, north-by-northeast through the vicinities of Coleman and Albany, Texas, north through the vicinity of Vernon, Texas, to Doan’s Crossing, Texas, northward through or near the vicinities of Altus, Lone Wolf, Canute, Vici, and May, Oklahoma, north through Kansas to Dodge City, and north through Nebraska to Ogallala.

(B)Requirement.—In conducting the study required under this paragraph, the Secretary of the Interior shall identify the point at which the trail originated south of San Antonio, Texas.

(46)Pike national historic trail.—The Pike National Historic Trail, a series of routes extending approximately 3,664 miles, which follows the route taken by Lt. Zebulon Montgomery Pike during the 1806–1807 Pike expedition that began in Fort Bellefontaine, Missouri, extended through portions of the States of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, and ended in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

(47)Emancipation national historic trail.—The Emancipation National Historic Trail, extending approximately 51 miles from the Osterman Building and Reedy Chapel in Galveston, Texas, along Texas State Highway 3 and Interstate Highway 45 North, to Freedmen’s Town, then to Independence Heights and Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas, following the migration route taken by newly freed slaves and other persons of African descent from the major 19th century seaport town of Galveston to the burgeoning community of Freedmen’s Town, located in the 4th Ward of Houston, Texas.

(48)Alaska long trail.—

(A)In general.—The Alaska Long Trail, extending approximately 500 miles from Seward, Alaska, to Fairbanks, Alaska.

(B)Requirement.—The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this paragraph as the “Secretary”) shall study the feasibility of designating the trail described in subparagraph (A), including evaluating the potential impacts of the trail on rights-of-way, existing rights, or other recreational uses of the land proposed to be used for the trail.

(C)Consultation.—The Secretary shall conduct the study under this paragraph in consultation with—

(i) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service;

(ii) the State of Alaska;

(iii) units of local government in the State of Alaska;

(iv) Alaska Native Corporations; and

(v) representatives of the private sector, including any entity that holds a permit issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

(49)Buckeye trail.—The Buckeye Trail, a system of trails creating a loop extending approximately 1,454 miles from Lake Erie to the Ohio River, through the farmland of northwest Ohio, the hills of Appalachia, the Black Hand sandstone cliffs of the Hocking Hills region, and the Bluegrass region of southwest Ohio.

(d) Trail advisory councils; establishment and termination; term and compensation; membership; chairmanThe Secretary charged with the administration of each respective trail shall, within one year of the date of the addition of any national scenic or national historic trail to the System, and within sixty days of November 10, 1978, for the Appalachian and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails, establish an advisory council for each such trail, each of which councils shall expire ten years from the date of its establishment, except that the Advisory Council established for the Iditarod Historic Trail shall expire twenty years from the date of its establishment. If the appropriate Secretary is unable to establish such an advisory council because of the lack of adequate public interest, the Secretary shall so advise the appropriate committees of the Congress. The appropriate Secretary shall consult with such council from time to time with respect to matters relating to the trail, including the selection of rights-of-way, standards for the erection and maintenance of markers along the trail, and the administration of the trail. The members of each advisory council, which shall not exceed thirty-five in number, shall serve for a term of two years and without compensation as such, but the Secretary may pay, upon vouchers signed by the chairman of the council, the expenses reasonably incurred by the council and its members in carrying out their responsibilities under this section. Members of each council shall be appointed by the appropriate Secretary as follows:

(1) the head of each Federal department or independent agency administering lands through which the trail route passes, or his designee;

(2) a member appointed to represent each State through which the trail passes, and such appointments shall be made from recommendations of the Governors of such States;

(3) one or more members appointed to represent private organizations, including corporate and individual landowners and land users, which in the opinion of the Secretary, have an established and recognized interest in the trail, and such appointments shall be made from recommendations of the heads of such organizations: Provided, That the Appalachian Trail Conference shall be represented by a sufficient number of persons to represent the various sections of the country through which the Appalachian Trail passes; and

(4) the Secretary shall designate one member to be chairman and shall fill vacancies in the same manner as the original appointment.

(e) Comprehensive national scenic trail plan; consultation; submission to Congressional committeesWithin two complete fiscal years of the date of enactment of legislation designating a national scenic trail, except for the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the North Country National Scenic Trail, as part of the system, and within two complete fiscal years of November 10, 1978, for the Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trails, the responsible Secretary shall, after full consultation with affected Federal land managing agencies, the Governors of the affected States, the relevant advisory council established pursuant to subsection (d), and the Appalachian Trail Conference in the case of the Appalachian Trail, submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, a comprehensive plan for the acquisition, management, development, and use of the trail, including but not limited to, the following items:

(1) specific objectives and practices to be observed in the management of the trail, including the identification of all significant natural, historical, and cultural resources to be preserved (along with high potential historic sites and high potential route segments in the case of national historic trails), details of anticipated cooperative agreements to be consummated with other entities, and an identified carrying capacity of the trail and a plan for its implementation;

(2) an acquisition or protection plan, by fiscal year, for all lands to be acquired by fee title or lesser interest, along with detailed explanation of anticipated necessary cooperative agreements for any lands not to be acquired; and

(3) general and site-specific development plans including anticipated costs.

(f) Comprehensive national historic trail plan; consultation; submission to Congressional committeesWithin two complete fiscal years of the date of enactment of legislation designating a national historic trail or the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail or the North Country National Scenic Trail as part of the system, the responsible Secretary shall, after full consultation with affected Federal land managing agencies, the Governors of the affected States, and the relevant Advisory Council established pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, a comprehensive plan for the management, and use of the trail, including but not limited to, the following items:

(1) specific objectives and practices to be observed in the management of the trail, including the identification of all significant natural, historical, and cultural resources to be preserved, details of any anticipated cooperative agreements to be consummated with State and local government agencies or private interests, and for national scenic or national historic trails an identified carrying capacity of the trail and a plan for its implementation;

(2) the process to be followed by the appropriate Secretary to implement the marking requirements established in section 1246(c) of this title;

(3) a protection plan for any high potential historic sites or high potential route segments; and

(4) general and site-specific development plans, including anticipated costs.

(g) Revision of feasibility and suitability studies of existing national historic trails

(1) DefinitionsIn this subsection:

(A) Route

(B) Shared route

(2) Requirements for revision

(A) In general

(B) Study requirements and objectives

(3) Oregon National Historic Trail

(A) Study required

(B) Covered routesThe routes to be studied under subparagraph (A) shall include the following:

(i) Whitman Mission route.

(ii) Upper Columbia River.

(iii) Cowlitz River route.

(iv) Meek cutoff.

(v) Free Emigrant Road.

(vi) North Alternate Oregon Trail.

(vii) Goodale’s cutoff.

(viii) North Side alternate route.

(ix) Cutoff to Barlow Road.

(x) Naches Pass Trail.

(4) Pony Express National Historic Trail

(5) California National Historic Trail

(A) Study required

(B) Covered routesThe routes to be studied under subparagraph (A) shall include the following:

(i) Missouri Valley routes(I) Blue Mills-Independence Road.(II) Westport Landing Road.(III) Westport-Lawrence Road.(IV) Fort Leavenworth-Blue River route.(V) Road to Amazonia.(VI) Union Ferry Route.(VII) Old Wyoming-Nebraska City cutoff.(VIII) Lower Plattsmouth Route.(IX) Lower Bellevue Route.(X) Woodbury cutoff.(XI) Blue Ridge cutoff.(XII) Westport Road.(XIII) Gum Springs-Fort Leavenworth route.(XIV) Atchison/Independence Creek routes.(XV) Fort Leavenworth-Kansas River route.(XVI) Nebraska City cutoff routes.(XVII) Minersville-Nebraska City Road.(XVIII) Upper Plattsmouth route.(XIX) Upper Bellevue route.

(ii) Central routes(I) Cherokee Trail, including splits.(II) Weber Canyon route of Hastings cutoff.(III) Bishop Creek cutoff.(IV) McAuley cutoff.(V) Diamond Springs cutoff.(VI) Secret Pass.(VII) Greenhorn cutoff.(VIII) Central Overland Trail.

(iii) Western routes(I) Bidwell-Bartleson route.(II) Georgetown/Dagget Pass Trail.(III) Big Trees Road.(IV) Grizzly Flat cutoff.(V) Nevada City Road.(VI) Yreka Trail.(VII) Henness Pass route.(VIII) Johnson cutoff.(IX) Luther Pass Trail.(X) Volcano Road.(XI) Sacramento-Coloma Wagon Road.(XII) Burnett cutoff.(XIII) Placer County Road to Auburn.

(6) Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail

(A) Study required

(B) Covered routesThe routes to be studied under subparagraph (A) shall include the following:

(i) 1846 Subsequent routes A and B (Lucas and Clarke Counties, Iowa).

(ii) 1856–57 Handcart route (Iowa City to Council Bluffs).

(iii) Keokuk route (Iowa).

(iv) 1847 Alternative Elkhorn and Loup River Crossings in Nebraska.

(v) Fort Leavenworth Road; Ox Bow route and alternates in Kansas and Missouri (Oregon and California Trail routes used by Mormon emigrants).

(vi) 1850 Golden Pass Road in Utah.

(7) Shared California and Oregon Trail routes

(A) Study required

(B) Covered routesThe routes to be studied under subparagraph (A) shall include the following:

(i) St. Joe Road.

(ii) Council Bluffs Road.

(iii) Sublette cutoff.

(iv) Applegate route.

(v) Old Fort Kearny Road (Oxbow Trail).

(vi) Childs cutoff.

(vii) Raft River to Applegate.

(Pub. L. 90–543, § 5, Oct. 2, 1968, 82 Stat. 920; Pub. L. 94–527, Oct. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 2481; Pub. L. 95–248, § 1(1), (2), Mar. 21, 1978, 92 Stat. 159; Pub. L. 95–625, title V, § 551 (7)–(15), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3512–3515; Pub. L. 96–87, title IV, § 401(m)(1), Oct. 12, 1979, 93 Stat. 666; Pub. L. 96–199, title I, § 101(b)(1)–(3), Mar. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 67, 68; Pub. L. 96–344, § 14, Sept. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1136; Pub. L. 96–370, § 1(a), Oct. 3, 1980, 94 Stat. 1360; Pub. L. 98–11, title II, § 205, Mar. 28, 1983, 97 Stat. 43; Pub. L. 98–405, § 1, Aug. 28, 1984, 98 Stat. 1483; Pub. L. 99–445, § 1, Oct. 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 1122; Pub. L. 100–35, § 1(a), May 8, 1987, 101 Stat. 302; Pub. L. 100–187, § 3, Dec. 11, 1987, 101 Stat. 1287; Pub. L. 100–192, § 1, Dec. 16, 1987, 101 Stat. 1309; Pub. L. 100–470, § 4, Oct. 4, 1988, 102 Stat. 2283; Pub. L. 100–559, title II, § 203, Oct. 28, 1988, 102 Stat. 2797; Pub. L. 101–321, § 3, July 3, 1990, 104 Stat. 293; Pub. L. 101–365, § 2(a), Aug. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 429; Pub. L. 102–328, § 1, Aug. 3, 1992, 106 Stat. 845; Pub. L. 102–461, Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2273; Pub. L. 103–144, § 3, Nov. 17, 1993, 107 Stat. 1494; Pub. L. 103–145, § 3, Nov. 17, 1993, 107 Stat. 1497; Pub. L. 103–437, § 6(d)(38), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4585; Pub. L. 104–333, div. I, title IV, §§ 402, 403, title V, § 501, Nov. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 4148, 4153; Pub. L. 106–135, § 3, Dec. 7, 1999, 113 Stat. 1686; Pub. L. 106–307, § 3, Oct. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 1075; Pub. L. 106–509, § 3, Nov. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2361; Pub. L. 106–510, § 3(a)(2), Nov. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2363; Pub. L. 107–214, § 3, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1053; Pub. L. 107–325, § 2, Dec. 4, 2002, 116 Stat. 2790; Pub. L. 107–338, § 2, Dec. 16, 2002, 116 Stat. 2886; Pub. L. 108–342, § 2, Oct. 18, 2004, 118 Stat. 1370; Pub. L. 108–352, § 14(1), Oct. 21, 2004, 118 Stat. 1397; Pub. L. 109–54, title I, § 133, Aug. 2, 2005, 119 Stat. 526; Pub. L. 109–378, § 1, Dec. 1, 2006, 120 Stat. 2664; Pub. L. 109–418, § 2, Dec. 19, 2006, 120 Stat. 2882; Pub. L. 110–229, title III, § 341, May 8, 2008, 122 Stat. 795; Pub. L. 111–11, title V, §§ 5201, 5202(a), 5204–5206, 5301(a), 5302, 5303, title VII, § 7116(f), Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1154, 1158, 1159, 1161, 1164, 1203; Pub. L. 116–9, title II, §§ 2501, 2502(a), 2504, Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 753, 754; Pub. L. 116–111, § 2, Jan. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 8; Pub. L. 117–328, div. DD, title V, §§ 501–503, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5599–5601; Pub. L. 117–345, § 2, Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6196.)

§ 1245. Connecting or side trails; establishment, designation, and marking as components of national trails system; location

(Pub. L. 90–543, § 6, Oct. 2, 1968, 82 Stat. 922; Pub. L. 95–625, title V, § 551(16), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3515; Pub. L. 98–11, title II, § 206, Mar. 28, 1983, 97 Stat. 45.)

§ 1246. Administration and development of national trails system

(a) Consultation of Secretary with other agencies; transfer of management responsibilities; selection of rights-of-way; criteria for selection; notice; impact upon established uses

(1)

(A) The Secretary charged with the overall administration of a trail pursuant to section 1244(a) of this title shall, in administering and managing the trail, consult with the heads of all other affected State and Federal agencies. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed to transfer among Federal agencies any management responsibilities established under any other law for federally administered lands which are components of the National Trails System. Any transfer of management responsibilities may be carried out between the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture only as provided under subparagraph (B).

(B) The Secretary charged with the overall administration of any trail pursuant to section 1244(a) of this title may transfer management of any specified trail segment of such trail to the other appropriate Secretary pursuant to a joint memorandum of agreement containing such terms and conditions as the Secretaries consider most appropriate to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. During any period in which management responsibilities for any trail segment are transferred under such an agreement, the management of any such segment shall be subject to the laws, rules, and regulations of the Secretary provided with the management authority under the agreement, except to such extent as the agreement may otherwise expressly provide.

(2) Pursuant to section 1244(a) of this title, the appropriate Secretary shall select the rights-of-way for national scenic and national historic trails and shall publish notice of the availability of appropriate maps or descriptions in the Federal Register: Provided, That in selecting the rights-of-way full consideration shall be given to minimizing the adverse effects upon the adjacent landowner or user and his operation. Development and management of each segment of the National Trails System shall be designed to harmonize with and complement any established multiple-use plans for that specific area in order to insure continued maximum benefits from the land. The location and width of such rights-of-way across Federal lands under the jurisdiction of another Federal agency shall be by agreement between the head of that agency and the appropriate Secretary. In selecting rights-of-way for trail purposes, the Secretary shall obtain the advice and assistance of the States, local governments, private organizations, and landowners and land users concerned.

(b) Relocation of segment of national, scenic or historic, trail right-of-way; determination of necessity with official having jurisdiction; necessity for Act of Congress

(c) Facilities on national, scenic or historic, trails; permissible activities; use of motorized vehicles; trail markers; establishment of uniform marker; placement of uniform markers; trail interpretation sites

(d) Use and acquisition of lands within exterior boundaries of areas included within right-of-way

(e) Right-of-way lands outside exterior boundaries of federally administered areas; cooperative agreements or acquisition; failure to agree or acquire; agreement or acquisition by Secretary concerned; right of first refusal for original owner upon disposal

(f) Exchange of property within the right-of-way by Secretary of the Interior; property subject to exchange; equalization of value of property; exchange of national forest lands by Secretary of Agriculture; tracts lying outside trail acquisition area

(1) The Secretary of the Interior, in the exercise of his exchange authority, may accept title to any non-Federal property within the right-of-way and in exchange therefor he may convey to the grantor of such property any federally owned property under his jurisdiction which is located in the State wherein such property is located and which he classifies as suitable for exchange or other disposal. The values of the properties so exchanged either shall be approximately equal, or if they are not approximately equal the values shall be equalized by the payment of cash to the grantor or to the Secretary as the circumstances require. The Secretary of Agriculture, in the exercise of his exchange authority, may utilize authorities and procedures available to him in connection with exchanges of national forest lands.

(2) In acquiring lands or interests therein for a National Scenic or Historic Trail, the appropriate Secretary may, with consent of a landowner, acquire whole tracts notwithstanding that parts of such tracts may lie outside the area of trail acquisition. In furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, lands so acquired outside the area of trail acquisition may be exchanged for any non-Federal lands or interests therein within the trail right-of-way, or disposed of in accordance with such procedures or regulations as the appropriate Secretary shall prescribe, including: (i) provisions for conveyance of such acquired lands or interests therein at not less than fair market value to the highest bidder, and (ii) provisions for allowing the last owners of record a right to purchase said acquired lands or interests therein upon payment or agreement to pay an amount equal to the highest bid price. For lands designated for exchange or disposal, the appropriate Secretary may convey these lands with any reservations or covenants deemed desirable to further the purposes of this chapter. The proceeds from any disposal shall be credited to the appropriation bearing the costs of land acquisition for the affected trail.

(g) Condemnation proceedings to acquire private lands; limitations; availability of funds for acquisition of lands or interests therein; acquisition of high potential, route segments or historic sites

(h) Development and maintenance of national, scenic or historic, trails; cooperation with States over portions located outside of federally administered areas; cooperative agreements; participation of volunteers; reservation of right-of-way for trails in conveyances by Secretary of the Interior

(1) The Secretary charged with the administration of a national recreation, national scenic, or national historic trail shall provide for the development and maintenance of such trails within federally administered areas and shall cooperate with and encourage the States to operate, develop, and maintain portions of such trails which are located outside the boundaries of federally administered areas. When deemed to be in the public interest, such Secretary may enter written cooperative agreements with the States or their political subdivisions, landowners, private organizations, or individuals to operate, develop, and maintain any portion of such a trail either within or outside a federally administered area. Such agreements may include provisions for limited financial assistance to encourage participation in the acquisition, protection, operation, development, or maintenance of such trails, provisions providing volunteer in the park or volunteer in the forest status (in accordance with section 102301 of title 54 and the Volunteers in the Forests Act of 1972 [16 U.S.C. 558a et seq.]) to individuals, private organizations, or landowners participating in such activities, or provisions of both types. The appropriate Secretary shall also initiate consultations with affected States and their political subdivisions to encourage—

(A) the development and implementation by such entities of appropriate measures to protect private landowners from trespass resulting from trail use and from unreasonable personal liability and property damage caused by trail use, and

(B) the development and implementation by such entities of provisions for land practices, compatible with the purposes of this chapter,

for property within or adjacent to trail rights-of-way. After consulting with States and their political subdivisions under the preceding sentence, the Secretary may provide assistance to such entities under appropriate cooperative agreements in the manner provided by this subsection.

(2) Whenever the Secretary of the Interior makes any conveyance of land under any of the public land laws, he may reserve a right-of-way for trails to the extent he deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(i) Regulations; issuance; concurrence and consultation; revision; publication; violations; penalties; utilization of national park or national forest authorities

(j) Types of trail use allowed

(k) Donations or other conveyances of qualified real property interests

(Pub. L. 90–543, § 7, Oct. 2, 1968, 82 Stat. 922; Pub. L. 95–248, § 1(3), (4), Mar. 21, 1978, 92 Stat. 160; Pub. L. 95–625, title V, § 551(17)–(21), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3515, 3516; Pub. L. 96–87, title IV, § 401(m)(2), (3), Oct. 12, 1979, 93 Stat. 666; Pub. L. 98–11, title II, § 207, Mar. 28, 1983, 97 Stat. 45; Pub. L. 113–287, § 5(d)(23), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3266.)

§ 1247. State and local area recreation and historic trails

(a) Secretary of the Interior to encourage States, political subdivisions, and private interests; financial assistance for State and local projects

(b) Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to encourage metropolitan and other urban areas; administrative and financial assistance in connection with recreation and transportation planning; administration of urban open-space program

(d) Interim use of railroad rights-of-way

(e) Designation and marking of trails; approval of Secretary of the Interior

(Pub. L. 90–543, § 8, Oct. 2, 1968, 82 Stat. 925; Pub. L. 95–625, title V, § 551(22), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3516; Pub. L. 98–11, title II, § 208, Mar. 28, 1983, 97 Stat. 48; Pub. L. 104–88, title III, § 317(1), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 949; Pub. L. 113–287, § 5(d)(24), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3266; Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title I, § 21301(j)(1), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 691.)

§ 1248. Easements and rights-of-way

(a) Authorization; conditions

(b) Cooperation of Federal agencies with Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture

(d) Location, incorporation, and management

(1) All rights-of-way, or portions thereof, retained by the United States pursuant to subsection (c) which are located within the boundaries of a conservation system unit or a National Forest shall be added to and incorporated within such unit or National Forest and managed in accordance with applicable provisions of law, including this chapter.

(2) All such retained rights-of-way, or portions thereof, which are located outside the boundaries of a conservation system unit or a National Forest but adjacent to or contiguous with any portion of the public lands shall be managed pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 [43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.] and other applicable law, including this section.

(3) All such retained rights-of-way, or portions thereof, which are located outside the boundaries of a conservation system unit or National Forest which the Secretary of the Interior determines suitable for use as a public recreational trail or other recreational purposes shall be managed by the Secretary for such uses, as well as for such other uses as the Secretary determines to be appropriate pursuant to applicable laws, as long as such uses do not preclude trail use.

(e) Release and quitclaim; conditions; sale; proceeds

(1) The Secretary of the Interior is authorized where appropriate to release and quitclaim to a unit of government or to another entity meeting the requirements of this subsection any and all right, title, and interest in the surface estate of any portion of any right-of-way to the extent any such right, title, and interest was retained by the United States pursuant to subsection (c), if such portion is not located within the boundaries of any conservation system unit or National Forest. Such release and quitclaim shall be made only in response to an application therefor by a unit of State or local government or another entity which the Secretary of the Interior determines to be legally and financially qualified to manage the relevant portion for public recreational purposes. Upon receipt of such an application, the Secretary shall publish a notice concerning such application in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the relevant portion is located. Such release and quitclaim shall be on the following conditions:

(A) If such unit or entity attempts to sell, convey, or otherwise transfer such right, title, or interest or attempts to permit the use of any part of such portion for any purpose incompatible with its use for public recreation, then any and all right, title, and interest released and quitclaimed by the Secretary pursuant to this subsection shall revert to the United States.

(B) Such unit or entity shall assume full responsibility and hold the United States harmless for any legal liability which might arise with respect to the transfer, possession, use, release, or quitclaim of such right-of-way.

(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the United States shall be under no duty to inspect such portion prior to such release and quitclaim, and shall incur no legal liability with respect to any hazard or any unsafe condition existing on such portion at the time of such release and quitclaim.

(2) The Secretary is authorized to sell any portion of a right-of-way retained by the United States pursuant to subsection (c) located outside the boundaries of a conservation system unit or National Forest if any such portion is—

(A) not adjacent to or contiguous with any portion of the public lands; or

(B) determined by the Secretary, pursuant to the disposal criteria established by section 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 [43 U.S.C. 1713], to be suitable for sale.

Prior to conducting any such sale, the Secretary shall take appropriate steps to afford a unit of State or local government or any other entity an opportunity to seek to obtain such portion pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(3) All proceeds from sales of such retained rights of way shall be deposited into the Treasury of the United States and credited to the Land and Water Conservation Fund as provided in section 200302 of title 54.

(4) The Secretary of the Interior shall annually report to the Congress the total proceeds from sales under paragraph (2) during the preceding fiscal year. Such report shall be included in the President’s annual budget submitted to the Congress.

(f) “Conservation system unit” and “public lands” definedAs used in this section—

(1) The term “conservation system unit” has the same meaning given such term in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (Public Law 96–487; 94 Stat. 2371 et seq.), except that such term shall also include units outside Alaska.

(2) The term “public lands” has the same meaning given such term in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 [43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.].

(

§ 1249. Authorization of appropriations

(a) Appalachian and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails

(1) There are hereby authorized to be appropriated for the acquisition of lands or interests in lands not more than $5,000,000 for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and not more than $500,000 for the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. From the appropriations authorized for fiscal year 1979 and succeeding fiscal years pursuant to chapter 2003 of title 54, not more than the following amounts may be expended for the acquisition of lands and interests in lands authorized to be acquired pursuant to the provisions of this chapter: for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, not to exceed $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1979, $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1980, and $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1981, except that the difference between the foregoing amounts and the actual appropriations in any one fiscal year shall be available for appropriation in subsequent fiscal years.

(2) It is the express intent of the Congress that the Secretary should substantially complete the land acquisition program necessary to insure the protection of the Appalachian Trail within three complete fiscal years following March 21, 1978.

(b) Land deemed to qualify for funding

(1) In general

(2) Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

(A) In general

With respect to the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail (referred to in this paragraph as the “trail”) designated by section 1244(a)(12) of this title—

(i) not more than $500,000 shall be appropriated for the acquisition of land or interests in land for the trail; and

(ii) not more than $2,000,000 shall be appropriated for the development of the trail.

(B) Participation by volunteer trail groups

(Pub. L. 90–543, § 10, Oct. 2, 1968, 82 Stat. 926; Pub. L. 95–248, § 1(5), Mar. 21, 1978, 92 Stat. 160; Pub. L. 95–625, title V, § 551(23), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3517; Pub. L. 96–199, title I, § 101(b)(4), Mar. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 68; Pub. L. 96–370, § 1(b), Oct. 3, 1980, 94 Stat. 1360; Pub. L. 98–11, title II, § 209, Mar. 28, 1983, 97 Stat. 48; Pub. L. 100–35, § 1(b), May 8, 1987, 101 Stat. 302; Pub. L. 100–192, § 2, Dec. 16, 1987, 101 Stat. 1309; Pub. L. 101–365, § 2(b), Aug. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 429; Pub. L. 103–437, § 6(d)(38), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4585; Pub. L. 104–333, div. I, title VIII, § 814(d)(1)(J), Nov. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 4196; Pub. L. 108–352, § 14(2), Oct. 21, 2004, 118 Stat. 1397; Pub. L. 111–11, title V, § 5301(b), Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1161; Pub. L. 113–287, § 5(d)(26), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3266.)

§ 1250. Volunteer trails assistance

(a) Volunteer planning, development, maintenance, and management of trails

(1) In addition to the cooperative agreement and other authorities contained in this chapter, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the head of any Federal agency administering Federal lands, are authorized to encourage volunteers and volunteer organizations to plan, develop, maintain, and manage, where appropriate, trails throughout the Nation.

(2) Wherever appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, the Secretaries are authorized and encouraged to utilize section 102301 of title 54, the Volunteers in the Forests Act of 1972 [16 U.S.C. 558a et seq.], and 200305 1

1 So in original. Probably should be preceded by “section”.

of title 54 (relating to the development of Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans).

(b) Scope of volunteer work

Each Secretary or the head of any Federal land managing agency may assist volunteers and volunteer organizations in planning, developing, maintaining, and managing trails. Volunteer work may include, but need not be limited to—

(1) planning, developing, maintaining, or managing (A) trails which are components of the national trails system, or (B) trails which, if so developed and maintained, could qualify for designation as components of the national trails system; or

(2) operating programs to organize and supervise volunteer trail building efforts with respect to the trails referred to in paragraph (1), conducting trail-related research projects, or providing education and training to volunteers on methods of trails planning, construction, and maintenance.

(Pub. L. 90–543, § 11, as added Pub. L. 98–11, title II, § 210, Mar. 28, 1983, 97 Stat. 49; amended Pub. L. 113–287, § 5(d)(27), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3267.)

§ 1251. Definitions

As used in this chapter:

(1) The term “high potential historic sites” means those historic sites related to the route, or sites in close proximity thereto, which provide opportunity to interpret the historic significance of the trail during the period of its major use. Criteria for consideration as high potential sites include historic significance, presence of visible historic remnants, scenic quality, and relative freedom from intrusion.

(2) The term “high potential route segments” means those segments of a trail which would afford high quality recreation experience in a portion of the route having greater than average scenic values or affording an opportunity to vicariously share the experience of the original users of a historic route.

(3) The term “State” means each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States.

(4) The term “without expense to the United States” means that no funds may be expended by Federal agencies for the development of trail related facilities or for the acquisition of lands or interests in lands outside the exterior boundaries of Federal areas. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, amounts made available to any State or political subdivision under chapter 2003 of title 54 or any other provision of law shall not be treated as an expense to the United States.

(Pub. L. 90–543, § 12, as added Pub. L. 98–11, title II, § 210, Mar. 28, 1983, 97 Stat. 50; amended Pub. L. 113–287, § 5(d)(28), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3267.)