Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act

This bill would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior to work together to complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT), a 3,100-mile hiking trail that runs through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. The trail, established by Congress in 1978, currently has gaps in public lands along more than 160 miles of its route, forcing hikers to walk along roads in these areas. The bill would direct these federal agencies to prioritize finishing the trail within ten years of enactment, potentially in time for the trail's 50th anniversary in 2028.

The bill does not directly authorize government spending or allow the use of eminent domain to acquire private land. Instead, it essentially asks the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to move CDT completion higher on their priority lists. Completing the trail would eliminate dangerous road walks and improve safety and accessibility for the millions of people who use the trail for hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor recreation. The bill may also support local economies in gateway communities along the trail route.