Bill · S. 1470· Senate(119-S-1470)
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act
- Introduced
- 4/10/2025
- Last activity
- 7/23/2026 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 477.
- Sponsored by
- Martin Heinrich
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to prioritize finishing the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The goal is to create a continuous route within 10 years of the Act's enactment, depending on available funding. To achieve this, a joint Forest Service-Bureau of Land Management Trail completion team must be established within one year. This team will assist in creating a comprehensive development plan for the trail. The plan must identify existing gaps, land acquisition needs, and opportunities for using easements from willing sellers. Finally, the Secretaries are encouraged to form partnerships with nonprofit and volunteer organizations to help manage and complete the trail.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+5
The bill mandates a comprehensive development plan to optimize the management of the National Scenic Trail.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+3
The bill promotes the management and completion of a national scenic trail, which supports outdoor recreation and land preservation.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+3
The bill requires consultation with Tribal governments during the trail completion process.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Creation of a continuous route: The bill aims to complete the Trail as a continuous route within sought-after timeframes, which benefits those using the trail (Section 3).
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Collaborative planning: The Trail Completion Team is required to consult with various interested parties, including State, Tribal, and local governments, landowners, and acequias (Section 4(b)).
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Community and nonprofit involvement: The Secretaries are tasked with seeking agreements with volunteer and nonprofit organizations to help with the completion and administration of the Trail (Section 6).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Land acquisition limitations: The bill specifies that it does not provide any new authority to acquire land or interests in land beyond what is already provided in the National Trails System Act, including eminent domain (Section 7(1)).
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Prioritization limitations: The Act ensures that acquiring land for this specific trail is not a priority over other existing land acquisition authorizations (Section 7(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+5Improves Environmental Protections+3Improves Rural Development+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+3Good For Rural Residents+2
- 7/23/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 477.
- 3/11/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 12/17/2025
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 4/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana