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Willing Seller legislation

Continental Divide Trail Alliance statement on H.R. 1847

The Continental Divide Trail Alliance (CDTA) urges passage of H.R. 1847, the amendment of the National Trails System Act to clarify federal authority relating to land acquisition from willing sellers. This key piece of legislation will secure the future of the National Trails System, including the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST).

The CDNST will be approximately 3,100 miles in length when completed, extending from Mexico to Canada along the ‘backbone of America’. Designated in 1978, today the CDNST is approximately 67% complete.

CDTA is the leading nonprofit dedicated to the completion, protection and management of the CDNST. Since CDTA’s formation in 1995, more that 9,500 volunteers have dedicated their time, private sector funds in excess of $14 million have been committed to the project and more than 2,000 miles of the CDNST now stand completed.

Willing seller authority allows land managers to purchase land from landowners who come forward as willing sellers. This authority puts power in the hands of individual landowners, who are now restricted from selling their property for the purpose of assisting completion of the CDNST. This method of willing buyer/willing seller land acquisition follows closely with CDTA’s long-standing commitment to working with local communities and landowners to complete the project.

The proposed legislation would bring nine national scenic and national historic trails, including the CDNST, into line with the willing seller authority reserved for the majority of the National Trails System by amending Section 10© of the National Trails System Act.

When Congress designated the CDNST, it did not include the willing seller component that is a significant instrument for securing the future of a national scenic trail. With this important legislation in place, parcels of land could be purchased as opportunities arise to complete and protect this national treasure.

This legislation would not commit the Federal Government to spend any money to acquire land. The funding would be provided through the annual appropriations made by Congress to the Federal Land Management Agencies.

Currently, the progress of a continuous CDNST is stalled in several areas where willing sellers have come forward, but the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are unable to acquire land due to these unnecessary restrictions.

The benefits of this proposed legislation to CDNST users would be enormous. In some cases, the CDNST could be moved off of roads where conditions are unsafe as well as provide a more scenic route. Overall integrity of the CDNST would be improved.

A completed and protected network of national trails will encourage more Americans to take part in physical activities through outdoor recreation, improving their health and quality of life. The National Trails System also enables more people to access the rich heritage of historical, cultural and natural resources sustained by the trails.

• Please use language from the text above or state your support in your own words, visit the American Hiking Society website, find your representative, and paste the request in the field provided. Don’t forget to include your name and address.

NLCS Bill Update

HR 2016, The National Landscape Conservation System Act, passed in the House with a 278-140 vote. We will continue to keep this page updated with the progress of this important legislation.

CDTA and trail enthusiasts nation-wide need your help to urge Congress to pass the National Landscape Conservation System Act (HR 2016), an important bill that will permanently recognize more than 5,000 miles of National Scenic and Historic Trails under the care of the Bureau of Land Management.

CDTA and trail enthusiasts nation-wide need your help to urge Congress to pass the National Landscape Conservation System Act (HR 2016), an important bill that will permanently recognize more than 5,000 miles of National Scenic and Historic Trails under the care of the Bureau of Land Management. Learn more and to contact your legislator.

Centennial Initiative

Help to champion the proposed increase in National Park Service (NPS) funding by urging your Senators and Representative to support H.R. 3094, the National Park Service Centennial Fund Act. This bill is an important part of the Centennial Initiative that is intended to improve the National Park System.

The Continental Divide Trail passes through three National Parks: Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone. H.R. 3094 will allocate additional funding for special recreation projects, including trails.

Please use the text below or state your support in your own words, visit the American Hiking Society website, find your representative, and paste the request in the field provided. Don’t forget to include your name and address.

“Please support H.R. 3094, the National Park Service Centennial Fund Act. This bill will restore and protect the park’s natural, cultural and historical resources and will enhance the experience for park visitors. The Centennial Initiative is a 10-year plan to enhance the NPS for its 100th birthday in 2016 and this bill is a necessary component of this Initiative.”