# Plain Language Summary: Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Act of 2023

This bill officially designates the Benton MacKaye Trail as a National Scenic Trail. The trail is a 287-mile hiking path that runs through Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, passing through some of the region's most beautiful forests and mountains, including parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and several national forests. By giving it this official designation, the federal government is formally recognizing the trail's importance and committing to its long-term protection and management.

The practical effect of this designation is that the trail gets official status within the National Trails System, which means it receives federal support and protection. The U.S. Forest Service will oversee the trail's management, working with other government agencies, local communities, nonprofits, and the Benton MacKaye Trail Association (the volunteer group that has maintained it since 1980). The bill protects existing activities on the trail—like hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking—ensuring these recreational uses can continue. Since 95 percent of the trail already sits on federal land and has been successfully maintained by volunteers for decades, this designation mainly formalizes what's already happening rather than making dramatic changes.

For the communities along the trail in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, this designation could bring economic benefits. Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts visiting the trail spend money on lodging, food, and supplies in nearby towns, and the official status may attract more visitors. For outdoor enthusiasts, the designation ensures the trail will receive ongoing attention and resources to keep it maintained and accessible for future generations. The bill doesn't create new restrictions or prohibit any current uses—it simply gives the trail formal recognition and ensures coordinated management across the different public lands it crosses.

Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Act of 2023

Cohen, Steve

Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Act of 2023 This bill designates the Benton MacKaye Trail as the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail and adds the trail to the National Trails System. This trail extends approximately 287 miles across Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.