[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 50 (Thursday, April 18, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H3586-H3587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           LEGISLATION CREATING THE AMERICAN DISCOVERY TRAIL

  (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to address the House

[[Page H3587]]

for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, this Member introduced 
legislation to designate the American Discovery Trail as a component of 
the National Trails System. The bill, H.R. 3250, also creates a new 
category in the system--National Discovery Trails. The bill is already 
supported by a bipartisanly balanced 44 cosponsors.
  This legislation represents an exciting step forward in the 
development and connection of trails in the United States. The multiuse 
ADT provides the connections which are needed to link existing trails 
and create a backbone for the National Trails System. While stretching 
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, it connects large cities and small 
communities with forests and remote areas.
  The American Discovery Trail will provide outstanding, family 
oriented recreation for all Americans. It will also offer important 
economic development opportunities to the communities along its route.
  The ADT also takes into account private property concerns since 
almost all of the trail is on public lands. The few exceptions are in 
locations where there are existing rights-of-way or agreements with 
existing trails or by invitation. The bill also mandates that no lands 
or interests outside the exterior boundaries of federally administered 
areas may be acquired by the United States solely for the American 
Discovery Trail.
  The American Discovery Trail is national in scope, but it is made 
possible by the grassroots efforts on the State and local level. This 
Member urges his colleagues to support these local efforts by 
cosponsoring the American Discovery Trail bill.

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