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Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-2768| House 
| Updated: 3/5/2026
Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann

Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann

Republican Representative

Tennessee

Cosponsors (3)
Steve Cohen (Democratic)Lucy McBath (Democratic)Chuck Edwards (Republican)

Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to undertake a comprehensive study to assess the viability of officially designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail under the National Trails System Act. This directive is an amendment to Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act. The Benton MacKaye Trail is a 287-mile nonmotorized path that winds through scenic forests and mountains in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, including parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and several Wilderness Areas. Congress finds the trail offers diverse recreational opportunities, supports local economies, and is largely maintained on federal land by the Benton MacKaye Trail Association. The Secretary of Agriculture is required to complete this feasibility study within one year of the bill's enactment, consulting with relevant organizations, and then submit the findings to Congress.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-8403
Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2024
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 9, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Oct 27, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1376
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
Mar 5, 2026
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
Mar 5, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-8403
    Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2024


  • April 9, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 9, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • October 27, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1376
    Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.


  • March 5, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.


  • March 5, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Bills

  • S 119-1376: Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025
Congressional oversightGeorgiaGovernment studies and investigationsNorth CarolinaParks, recreation areas, trailsTennessee

Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-2768| House 
| Updated: 3/5/2026
This legislation mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to undertake a comprehensive study to assess the viability of officially designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail under the National Trails System Act. This directive is an amendment to Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act. The Benton MacKaye Trail is a 287-mile nonmotorized path that winds through scenic forests and mountains in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, including parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and several Wilderness Areas. Congress finds the trail offers diverse recreational opportunities, supports local economies, and is largely maintained on federal land by the Benton MacKaye Trail Association. The Secretary of Agriculture is required to complete this feasibility study within one year of the bill's enactment, consulting with relevant organizations, and then submit the findings to Congress.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-8403
Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2024
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 9, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Oct 27, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1376
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
Mar 5, 2026
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
Mar 5, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-8403
    Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2024


  • April 9, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 9, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • October 27, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1376
    Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.


  • March 5, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.


  • March 5, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann

Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann

Republican Representative

Tennessee

Cosponsors (3)
Steve Cohen (Democratic)Lucy McBath (Democratic)Chuck Edwards (Republican)

Natural Resources Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Bills

  • S 119-1376: Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightGeorgiaGovernment studies and investigationsNorth CarolinaParks, recreation areas, trailsTennessee