Bill · S. 2708· Senate(119-S-2708)
Appalachian Trail Centennial Act
- Introduced
- 9/4/2025
- Last activity
- 12/9/2025 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-238.
- Sponsored by
- Timothy Kaine
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Appalachian Trail Centennial Act aims to improve the preservation and management of national historic and scenic trails. It establishes a "cooperative management" model that allows the government to partner with non-governmental organizations and volunteers for trail operations. The bill specifically designates the Appalachian Trail Conservancy as a partner for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. It also creates a process for prioritizing land protection and assessing the economic impact of trails on nearby gateway communities.
Yes· 3 of 22
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+8
Implements a cooperative management model between the government and NGOs for better trail stewardship.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+7
Establishes priority lists for land and resource protection of scenic and historic trails.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+6
Directly supports the economy and infrastructure of rural gateway communities.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The act increases government spending by authorizing new funds for trail management and acquisition.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
The bill authorizes additional appropriations for land acquisition and facility development.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?-1
Allows certain partners to receive funds without a competitive bidding process.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Increased Volunteer Opportunities: The bill encourages the participation of volunteers and volunteer organizations in the operation and stewardship of trails (Section 4(d)(1)).
- Improved Trail Infrastructure: It authorizes funding for the acquisition of land and the construction and development of facilities for covered trails (Section 5(d)(2)).
- Economic Insight for Local Towns: The act requires the government to identify methods to assess how covered trails economically impact gateway communities (Section 5(b)(1)).
- Enhanced Land Preservation: It establishes a system for "proposed priority lists" to identify and protect specific parcels of land for the benefit of the trails' scenic, historical, and natural values (Section 4(b)(3)).
- Flexible Visitor Management: Visitor capacity will be determined based on specific segments of a trail rather than the whole trail, which can help maintain desired resource conditions (Section 5(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Non-Competitive Funding: Certain eligible entities designated as partners can receive appropriated funds without going through a competitive process (Section 4(b)(1)(B)(iii)(II)).
- Potential for Legal Costs: While the bill allows partners to request the government to enforce property rights, it also notes that Federal courts may award litigation costs to a partner if the government takes action on an alleged violation (Section 4(b)(2)(D)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Business Owners+5Good For High Income Households+3Good For Middle Aged+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Retirees+3Good For Seniors+3Good For Young Adults+3Good For Children+2Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Native Americans+2Good For Urban Residents+2Good For Farmers+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+8Improves Environmental Protections+7Improves Rural Development+6Reduces Carbon Emissions+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+3Improves Small Business Support+3Increases Job Creation+2Reduces Government Spending-2Improves Fiscal Responsibility-1Reduces National Debt-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+1
- 7/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/9/2025
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-238.
- 9/4/2025
- 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.
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia