H.R. 552 – Arizona National Scenic Trail Act

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 552

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 15, 2009

Ms. Giffords introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Arizona National Scenic Trail Act.

Findings; purpose

(a)

Findings

Congress finds that—

(1)

the Arizona Trail is a scenic, nonmotorized trail that stretches for approximately 807 miles through some of the most renowned mountains, canyon, deserts, and forests in the State of Arizona;

(2)

the Arizona Trail—

(A)

is the longest continuous land-based trail in the State of Arizona; and

(B)

showcases a wide variety of scenic views for a multitude of outdoor enthusiasts, including hikers, equestrians, mountain bicyclists, cross-country skiers, nature enthusiasts, and other nonmotorized recreationists;

(3)

the Arizona Trail begins at the Coronado National Memorial near the border between the United States and Mexico, extends to the higher elevations of Northern Arizona, and continues across the Coconino Plateau to the Grand Canyon;

(4)

the Arizona Trail appears on all Arizona State maps;

(5)

the Arizona Trail is physically possible and financially feasible because—

(A)

as the Arizona Trail Association reports—

(i)

the Arizona Trail is over 90 percent complete; and

(ii)

99 percent of the Arizona Trail is located on public land; and

(B)

the acquisition of additional private land is not required to achieve completion of the Arizona Trail; and

(6)

because the Arizona Trail is physically possible and financially feasible, no additional feasibility studies to designate the Arizona Trail as a national scenic trail are required.

(b)

Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to designate the Arizona Trail as a national scenic trail.

Arizona National Scenic Trail

Section 5(a) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(__)

Arizona national scenic trail

(A)

In general

The Arizona Trail, extending approximately 807 miles across the State of Arizona from the border between the States of Arizona and Utah to the international border with Mexico, as generally depicted on the map entitled Arizona National Scenic Trail and Congressional Districts and dated April 10, 2007, which shall be known as the Arizona National Scenic Trail (referred to in this paragraph as the Trail).

(B)

Availability of map

The map described in subparagraph (A) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of—

(i)

the Bureau of Land Management; and

(ii)

the Arizona Trail Association.

(C)

Administration

The Trail shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, in consultation with—

(i)

other Federal agencies;

(ii)

State, tribal, regional, and local agencies; and

(iii)

the Arizona Trail Association.

Arizona National Scenic Trail Act

Legislative Activity

Bill Text