Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 2877MontanaWyoming

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act

INTRO APR 10· LAST ACTION APR 10

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Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it provides a clear directive and timeline for completing a major national recreational asset. If passed, it could significantly enhance the experience for thousands of outdoor enthusiasts by providing a continuous, uninterrupted pathway across some of America's most scenic landscapes. Currently, parts of the Continental Divide Trail are incomplete, forcing users onto roads or detours, which can diminish the experience and safety.

If this bill becomes law, it would lead to a more defined and accessible trail, potentially boosting outdoor tourism in the regions it traverses and promoting conservation efforts along its corridor. If it doesn't pass, the completion of the trail might continue at a slower, less coordinated pace, leaving significant gaps and requiring hikers to navigate incomplete sections for the foreseeable future.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to prioritize the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail as a continuous route within 10 years.

This sets a clear, time-bound goal for federal agencies to finish a major national trail.

PROVISION 02

Establishes a joint Forest Service-Bureau of Land Management Trail Completion Team within one year of enactment.

This creates a dedicated, coordinated body to focus specifically on the trail's completion.

PROVISION 03

Mandates the creation of a comprehensive development plan within three years of the team's establishment, identifying gaps, opportunities for easements, and anticipated costs.

This ensures a detailed strategy for addressing incomplete sections and planning for future development.

PROVISION 04

Instructs the Secretaries to seek partnerships with volunteer and nonprofit organizations to help with the trail's completion and administration.

Leveraging external organizations can provide valuable resources and local expertise for trail development and maintenance.

PROVISION 05

Clarifies that the bill does not grant new authority for land acquisition, including eminent domain, or prioritize this trail's land acquisition over other projects.

This limits the methods available for trail completion and avoids conflicts with existing land acquisition policies.

SPONSORSHIP

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COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%

DEM 2 REP 0 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

APR 10

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

APR 10

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

HOUSE · INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 2877

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedApr 10, 2025

Last actionApr 10, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED APR 10, 2025

House BillHR 2877MontanaWyoming

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act

INTRODUCED APR 10, 2025· LAST ACTION APR 10, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

3 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to prioritize the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail as a continuous route within 10 years.

This sets a clear, time-bound goal for federal agencies to finish a major national trail.

med

Establishes a joint Forest Service-Bureau of Land Management Trail Completion Team within one year of enactment.

This creates a dedicated, coordinated body to focus specifically on the trail's completion.

high

Mandates the creation of a comprehensive development plan within three years of the team's establishment, identifying gaps, opportunities for easements, and anticipated costs.

This ensures a detailed strategy for addressing incomplete sections and planning for future development.

med

Instructs the Secretaries to seek partnerships with volunteer and nonprofit organizations to help with the trail's completion and administration.

Leveraging external organizations can provide valuable resources and local expertise for trail development and maintenance.

med

Clarifies that the bill does not grant new authority for land acquisition, including eminent domain, or prioritize this trail's land acquisition over other projects.

This limits the methods available for trail completion and avoids conflicts with existing land acquisition policies.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 10 years after the date of enactment

Complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail as a continuous route

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment

Establish a joint Forest Service-Bureau of Land Management Trail Completion Team

Not later than 3 years after the date of establishment of the Trail Completion Team

Complete a comprehensive development plan for the Trail

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Secretary of Agriculture: The head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, overseeing agencies like the Forest Service.
Secretary of the Interior: The head of the U.S. Department of the Interior, overseeing agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service.
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail: A 3,100-mile long trail stretching from Mexico to Canada, following the crest of the Rocky Mountains, designated as one of the National Scenic Trails.
Forest Service: An agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture that manages national forests and grasslands.
Bureau of Land Management: An agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior that manages over 245 million acres of public lands, primarily in the Western United States.
Easement: A legal right to use another person's land for a specific purpose, such as a trail, without owning the land itself. Often acquired voluntarily from willing sellers.
Eminent domain: The right of a government to take private property for public use, even if the owner does not want to sell, as long as fair compensation is paid.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

APR 10, 25

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

APR 10, 25

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

INTROREFERRAL

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Apr 10, 2025

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Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

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Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

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