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H.R. 2768 — what changed

Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026

From Introduced in House to Reported in House. 2 sections amended and 1 removed between Introduced in House and Reported in House.

Section 1 Short title

changed This Act may be cited as the “Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025”.2026”.

Sec. 2 Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail feasibility study

changed Congress finds that Section 5(c) of the Benton MacKaye Trail—National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

added “(50) Benton Mackaye trail

added “(A) In general—The Benton MacKaye Trail, a scenic, nonmotorized trail that traverses approximately 287 miles in the States of Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

added “(B) Study—Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with interested organizations, including the Benton MacKaye Trail Association, shall complete and submit to Congress the feasibility study for designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail.”

(1)
removed is a scenic, nonmotorized trail that traverses approximately 287 miles over some of the most renowned forests and mountains in the States of Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina;
(2)
removed showcases a wide variety of scenic views, including high-elevation peaks, mature forests, and secluded waterfalls;
(3)
removed passes through wilderness that is rich with biodiversity;
(4)
removed passes through six designated Wilderness Areas, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Chattahoochee-Oconee, Cherokee, and Nantahala National Forests;
(5)
removed provides a wide array of easily accessible hikes for novice and intermediate hikers, as well as more challenging trails for backpacking;
(6)
removed supports economic opportunities for numerous rural communities which benefit from the visitors of the trail spending their money on accommodations, food, and outdoor supplies;
(7)
removed runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia, through Tennessee, and extends through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina;
(8)
removed is physically accessible; and
(9)
removed can be maintained at a minimal cost because—
(A)
removed the Benton MacKaye Trail has been maintained at its current length since 2005;
(B)
removed 95 percent of the Benton MacKaye Trail is located on Federal land; and
(C)
removed the Benton MacKaye Trail has been successfully constructed, maintained, and managed by the Benton MacKaye Trail Association since 1980.

Sec. 3 Benton mackaye national scenic trail feasibility study

removed

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

removed “(50) Benton Mackaye Trail

removed “(A) In general—The Benton MacKaye Trail, a scenic, nonmotorized trail that traverses approximately 287 miles in the States of Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

removed “(B) Study—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with interested organizations, including the Benton MacKaye Trail Association, shall complete and submit to Congress the feasibility study for designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail.”