Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025

S. 1376 would require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study on designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail. The trail spans approximately 287 miles across Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, with 95 percent of its length on federal land administered by the U.S. Forest Service. If enacted, the study would evaluate the trail's scenic, natural, and recreational value and would need to be completed within one year and submitted to Congress.

The bill would not automatically designate the trail as a national scenic trail but rather would assess whether such a designation is feasible and appropriate. A national scenic trail designation could provide enhanced protection for the remaining portions of the trail not already protected under the Wilderness Act and would support local economies through increased recreation opportunities. The estimated cost of the study would be less than $500,000 over the 2026-2030 period, subject to available appropriations. The bill has passed committee review and is now eligible for a full Senate vote.