[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 30, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3597-S3598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. CANTWELL (for herself and Mrs. Murray):
  S. 2943. A bill to amend the National Trails System Act to designate 
the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail; to the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources.
  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, my home State of Washington, and the 
Pacific Northwest in general, is home to some of the most pristine 
nature and breathtaking scenery this country has to offer. I rise today 
to recognize a well known local treasure that puts the priceless gems 
of our region within reach. The Pacific Northwest Trail, running from 
the Continental Divide to the Pacific Coast, is 1,200 miles long and 
ranks among the most scenic trails in the world. This carefully chosen 
path runs through the Rocky Mountains, Selkirk Mountains, Pasayten 
Wilderness, North Cascades, Olympic Mountains, and Wilderness Coast. 
From beginning to end it passes through three States, crosses three 
National Parks, and winds through seven National Forests. This trail is 
a national prize and should be recognized as such. That is why, today, 
I am introducing the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Act of 
2008 with my colleague from Washington State, Senator Murray.
  The National Trails System was created in 1968 by the National Trails 
System Act. This act authorized a national system of trails to provide 
additional outdoor recreation opportunities and to promote the 
preservation of access to the outdoor areas and historic resources of 
the nation. Today there are eight National Scenic Trails that provide 
recreation, conservation, and enjoyment of significant scenic, 
historic, natural, or cultural qualities. Designating the Pacific 
Northwest Trail a National Scenic Trail will give it the proper 
recognition, bring benefits to countless neighboring communities, and 
promote its protection, development, and maintenance.
  Adding the Pacific Northwest Trail to the National Trail System has 
gained the support of Commissioners in Clallam, Jefferson. Island, 
Skagit, Whatcom, Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille Counties in 
Washington and Boundary County in Idaho. Mayors in numerous cities 
along the trail support the economic impact the trail has had on their 
communities
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill and to come hike the 
Pacific Northwest Trail if ever given the opportunity.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.

                                S. 2943

  There being no objection, the text of bhe bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Pacific Northwest National 
     Scenic Trail Act of 2008''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) in accordance with section 5(c)(22) of the National 
     Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(c)(22)), a feasibility 
     study of the proposed Pacific Northwest Trail was--

[[Page S3598]]

       (A) conducted by the Director of the National Park Service 
     and the Chief of the Forest Service; and
       (B) completed in June 1980;
       (2) the feasability study contained--
       (A) a conclusion that the Pacific Northwest Trail ``would 
     have the scenic and recreational qualities needed for 
     designation as a National Scenic Trail''; but
       (B) a recommendation against the designation of the Pacific 
     Northwest Trail, citing as obstacles factors that are present 
     in every other national scenic trail that has been designated 
     under the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 et 
     seq.);
       (3) undaunted, the founder of the Pacific Northwest Trail 
     and many supporters--
       (A) moved forward with the creation of the Pacific 
     Northwest Trail; and
       (B) established a private volunteer organization to build, 
     maintain, and promote the Pacific Northwest Trail;
       (4) similar to each other national scenic trail designated 
     under the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 et 
     seq.), the Pacific Northwest Trail stands as an outstanding 
     example of the recreational opportunities that can be 
     provided through a partnership among the Federal Government, 
     State and local governments, private nonprofit trail 
     organizations, individual volunteers, and landowners;
       (5) today, approximately 950 miles of the Pacific Northwest 
     Trail are completed and provide significant outdoor 
     recreational experiences to citizens and visitors of the 
     United States, thus providing on-the-ground proof of the 
     feasibility and desirability of designating the Pacific 
     Northwest Trail as national scenic trail, as required under 
     section 5(b) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1244(b));
       (6) 3 segments of the Pacific Northwest Trail have already 
     been designated by Congress as national recreation trails; 
     and
       (7) because the entire route of the Pacific Northwest Trail 
     was found to qualify for designation as a national scenic 
     trail, Congress should--
       (A) designate the entire Pacific Northwest Trail as a 
     national scenic trail; and
       (B) provide administrative, technical, and financial 
     assistance in accordance with the National Trails System Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 1241 et seq.).

     SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL SCENIC 
                   TRAIL.

       Section 5(a) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1244(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(26) Pacific northwest national scenic trail.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Pacific Northwest National Scenic 
     Trail, a trail of approximately 1,200 miles, extending from 
     the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park, Montana, to 
     the Pacific Ocean Coast in Olympic National Park, Washington, 
     following the route depicted on the map entitled `Pacific 
     Northwest National Scenic Trail: Proposed Trail', numbered 
     T12/80,000, and dated February 2008 (referred to in this 
     paragraph as the `map').
       ``(B) Availability of map.--The map shall be on file and 
     available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of 
     the National Park Service.
       ``(C) Administration.--The Pacific Northwest National 
     Scenic Trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the 
     Interior.
       ``(D) Land acquisition.--The United States shall not 
     acquire for the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail any 
     land or interest in land outside the exterior boundary of any 
     federally-managed area without the consent of the owner of 
     the land or interest in land.''.
                                 ______