Lummis, Connolly Introduce Bipartisan 'Complete America's Great Trails Act'

Press Release

U.S. Representatives Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., Gerry Connolly, D-Va., and Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., have introduced the "Complete America's Great Trails Act" to help close missing links and protect the viewsheds of America's eight National Scenic Trails.

"This legislation will ensure one of America's greatest scenic trails, the Continental Divide Trail, will be protected for future generations," Lummis said. "The bill will provide voluntary incentives for landowners to complete the trail while protecting their property rights and safeguarding Wyoming rich agricultural heritage."

"This bill will help connect America's greatest places," Connolly said, "including Mount Vernon with Pope's Creek, George Washington's birthplace, with the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail: "Complete America's Great Trails Act will protect trails that protect America's most treasured places, from Mt. Vernon to Mount St Helens, by providing landowners with incentives to protect public access and natural landscapes along America's National Scenic Trails."

The "Complete America's Great Trails Act," H.R. 1912, would provide landowners with a tax credit to grant conservation easements and public access easements in half-mile corridors of National Scenic Trails. This bill would create a powerful voluntary incentive to close missing links in National Scenic Trails and protect viewsheds threatened by development.

Of the nation's eight National Scenic Trails, only the Appalachian Trail is complete. The Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Potomac Heritage Trail have numerous missing links. All National Scenic Trails are threatened by development, from the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey and Northern Virginia to the Pacific Crest Trail near Los Angeles.

Representatives Lummis and Connolly wrote Complete America's Great Trails Act in concert with trail advocates and agricultural representatives. In a letter to Congressman Connolly, the President of the Potomac Heritage Trail Association said "We are convinced that the establishment of generous federal tax credits for those individuals granting easements for the nation's National Scenic Trails will contribute significantly to the extension and ultimate completion of such trails," and "are extremely grateful for your active support for the completion of our national trails, and will do whatever we can to help this bill succeed."

"I am proud to work to with Wyoming's agricultural community and private landowners to protect our heritage by encouraging the completion of this important scenic trail corridor," Lummis added.

* Home
* Contact Us
* Biography
* Constituent Services
* Issues & Legislation
* Newsroom
* District Map

Source