S 2708119th CongressIn Committee

Appalachian Trail Centennial Act

Introduced: Sep 4, 2025

Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] (D-Virginia)

Environment & ClimateInfrastructure

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Appalachian Trail Centennial Act would reshape how national historic trails and national scenic trails are preserved, managed, and funded by formalizing a cooperative, partner-led governance model. Central to the bill is the creation of a "Designated Operational Partner" (DOP) for each covered trail, with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (the Appalachian Trail) initially designated to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The act envisions long-term, 20-year cooperative management arrangements that share administration, management, and operation between federal land managers, partner organizations (including non-profits and volunteers), states, tribes, and other stakeholders. It strongly emphasizes volunteer involvement, public-private partnerships, and the use of non-federal partners to help steward trail lands, facilities, and resources. The bill also expands funding mechanisms, adds land-protection planning duties, sets visitor-capacity planning by trail segment, requires periodic reporting and economic assessments for gateway communities, and provides processes for handling property rights, surplus federal property, and plan addenda. Overall, it aims to modernize governance of trails like the Appalachian Trail to be more collaborative, locally engaged, and outcome-focused, while preserving federal stewardship and statutory foundations.

Key Points

1Designated Operational Partner (DOP) framework, starting with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, to guide cooperative management with federal and non-federal partners; other trails may designate additional eligible partners.
2Long-term cooperative management arrangements (not longer than 20 years) that delegate or share operating authority and responsibilities with volunteer organizations, enabling joint administration, operations, and funding for covered trails.
3Land and resource protection priority lists and enhanced use of federal funds to acquire and protect land for trails, with priority-setting involving input from multiple partners and regular Congress-facing reporting.
4Strong emphasis on volunteers and volunteer organizations, directing agencies to encourage volunteer participation and to adjust practices to remove barriers to volunteer involvement.
5Enhanced authority to address property-rights issues through formal procedures for Designated Operational Partners to request investigations and pursue redress for trespass or infringements affecting trail resources; includes cost-shifting provisions for petition-related litigation.
6Comprehensive plans, addenda, and visitor-capacity planning integrated into trail management; proceedings allow designations, revisions, and site-specific planning addenda developed with partner consultation.
7Economic impact assessment requirements to study effects of trails on gateway communities, with methods leveraging existing data, state/locale data, and partnerships to inform planning and policy.
8Regulatory and funding authorities clarified, including fee collection and redistribution from permits/fees levied in trail areas, cross-agency collaboration, and authorization of appropriations through 2031 to carry out planning, land protection, and facility development.
9Availability of federal funds for land and facility projects traversed by covered trails, and encouragement for states to align land protection with state plans; surplus federal property may be transferred to DOPs under specified conditions.

Impact Areas

Primary- Gateway communities and local economies near the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and other covered trails, which may experience changes from land purchases, infrastructure development, and increased coordination among federal and non-federal partners.- Volunteer organizations (e.g., Appalachian Trail Maintaining Clubs) and other nonprofit partners, which would gain formal roles and longer-term operating authority under cooperative agreements.- Federal land management agencies (e.g., those responsible for the National Trails System) and land-owning agencies, which would share administration with DOPs and partner groups.Secondary- Other federal and state land managers, tribal governments, and non-governmental stakeholders who participate in the cooperative management system and contribute to land protection priorities.- Private landowners and landowners adjacent to trail corridors, as land protection and ownership status may be pursued under the proposed priority lists with potential outreach and collaboration.- Tribes and Indigenous communities, through required consultation for planning, capacity, and conservation efforts affecting trail resources.Additional impacts- Administrative changes: Establishment of a formal Designated Operational Partner mechanism, potential transfers of surplus property, and a new framework for engaging volunteers in a more structured, legally recognized role.- Planning and regulatory: Integration of comprehensive plans and addenda across federal, state, and local lands traversed by trails; new or updated regulatory processes to implement cooperative management and visitor-capacity planning.- Funding and economics: Expanded funding channels including Land and Water Conservation Fund eligibility; periodic economic impact assessments focusing on gateway communities; and multiagency partnerships to maximize recreation and conservation outcomes.- Legal and governance: Clarified boundaries of authority, ensuring that cooperative management does not transfer inherent land-management authority beyond what law authorizes, while creating distinct roles for DOPs and Federal land managers.

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