[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 28 (Thursday, March 10, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2484-S2485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. McCAIN (for himself and Mr. Kyl):
  S. 588. A bill to amend the National Trails System Act to direct the 
Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to jointly 
conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Arizona Trail as 
a national scenic trail or a national historic trail; to the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined today by Senator 
Kyl in introducing the Arizona Trail Feasibility Study Act. This bill 
would authorize the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to conduct 
a joint study to determine the feasibility of designating the Arizona 
Trail as a National Scenic or National Historic Trail. A companion bill 
is being introduced today in the House of Representatives by 
Representative Kolbe and rest of the Arizona delegation.
  Since 1968, when the National Trails System Act was established, 
Congress has designated 20 national trails. This legislation is the 
first step in the process of national trail designation for the Arizona 
Trail. If the study concludes that designating the Arizona Trail as a 
part of the national trail system if feasible, subsequent legislation 
can be introduced to designate the Arizona Trail as either a National 
Scenic Trail or National Historic Trail.
  The Arizona Trail is a beautifully diverse stretch of public lands, 
mountains, canyons, deserts, forests, historic sites, and communities. 
The Trail begins at the Coronado National Memorial on the U.S.-Mexico 
border and ends in the Bureau of Land Management's Arizona Strip 
District on the Utah border. In between these two points, the Trail 
winds through some of the most rugged, spectacular scenery in the 
Western United States.
  For the past 10 years, over 16 Federal, State, and local agencies, as 
well as community and business organizations, have worked to form a 
partnership to create, develop, and manage the Arizona Trail. 
Designating the Arizona Trail as a national trail would help streamline 
the management of the Trail to ensure that this pristine stretch of 
diverse land is preserved for future generations to enjoy.
  The corridor for the Arizona Trail encompasses the wide range of 
ecological diversity in the State, and incorporates a host of existing 
trails into one continuous trail. The Arizona Trail extends through 
seven ecological life zones including such legendary landmarks as the 
Sonoran Desert and the Grand Canyon. It connects the unique lowland 
desert flora and fauna in Saguaro National Park and the pine-covered 
San Francisco Peaks, Arizona's highest mountains at 12,633 feet in 
elevation. In fact, the Trail route is so topographically diverse that 
a person can hike from the Sonoran Desert to Alpine forests in one day. 
The Trail also takes travelers through ranching, mining, agricultural, 
and developed urban areas, as well as remote and pristine wildlands.
  With over 700 miles of the 800-mile trail already completed, the 
Arizona

[[Page S2485]]

Trail is a boon to recreationists. The Arizona State Parks recently 
released data showing that two-thirds of Arizonans consider themselves 
trail users. Millions of visitors also use Arizona's trails each year. 
In one of the fastest-growing states in the U.S., the designation of 
the Arizona Trail as a National Scenic or National Historic Trail would 
ensure the preservation of a corridor of open space for hikers, 
mountain bicyclists, cross-country skiers, snowshoers, eco-tourists, 
equestrians, and joggers.
  I commend the Arizona Trail Association for taking the lead in 
building a coalition of partners to bring the Arizona Trail from its 
inception to a nearly completed, multiple-use, non-motorized, long-
distance trail. Trail enthusiasts look forward to the completion of the 
Arizona Trail. Its designation as a national trail would help to 
protect the natural, cultural, and historic resources it contains for 
the public to use and enjoy.
  I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this legislation.
  Mr. KYL. Mr. President, today I am pleased to join with Senator 
McCain in introducing the Arizona Trail Feasibility Study Act. This 
bill would authorize the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to 
conduct a joint study to determine the feasibility and desirability of 
designating the Arizona Trail as a National Scenic or Historic Trail. A 
companion bill is being introduced today in the House of 
Representatives by Representative Kolbe on behalf of the entire Arizona 
delegation.
  In 1968, Congress established the National Trails System to promote 
the preservation of historical resources and outdoor areas. National 
scenic and national historic trails may be designated only by an act of 
Congress. The first step toward national trail designation is the 
feasibility study process, which this legislation authorizes. When a 
study recommends a trail for designation, subsequent legislation will 
be introduced to bring it into the National Trails System.
  The Arizona Trail is highly deserving of consideration for national 
designation. The trail is a roller coaster ride through the wide range 
of ecological diversity in the State. The Trail corridor begins at the 
Coronado National Memorial on the U.S. Mexico Border, and winds some 
800 miles, ending on the Bureau of Land Management's Arizona Strip 
District on the Utah Border. As it connects these two points, it 
invites recreationists to explore the State's most renowned mountains, 
canyons, deserts and forests, including the Grand Canyon and the Sonora 
Desert. This trail is unique in that it was developed to maximize the 
incorporation of already existing public trails into one continuous 
trail, to showcase some of the most spectacular scenery in the West.
  The trail is a partnership of over 16 Federal, State and local 
agencies, as well as numerous community and business organizations and 
countless volunteers, to develop and sustain it as a recreational 
resource for future generations. Authorizing this study and ultimately 
designating the Arizona Trail as a national trail will help streamline 
its management, boost tourism and recreation, and preserve a 
magnificent natural, cultural, and historical experience of the 
American West.
                                 ______