[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 97 (Thursday, June 25, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S7078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 1356. A bill to amend the National Trails System Act to provide 
for the study of the Western States Trail; to the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise on behalf of myself and Senator 
Feinstein to speak on the introduction of the Western States Trail 
Study Act of 2009. This legislation would provide for a study by the 
Department of the Interior on the possible designation of the Western 
States Trail as a National Historic Trail.
  The National Trails System Act specifies that to qualify for listing 
as a National Historic Trail, a trail must be historically significant 
and must have significant potential for public recreational use or 
historical interpretation and appreciation. The Western States Trail 
absolutely meets these criteria.
  From the beginning of California's recorded history, the Western 
States Trail has played an important role in the development of our 
state and nation. Originally a Native American trail used by the Paiute 
and Washoe Indians, it later became the most direct link between the 
gold camps of California and silver mines of Nevada. Professor William 
Brewer also followed part of this trail in his 1863 expedition as part 
of State Geologist Josiah Whitney's survey of California.
  In 1955, the Western States Trail became the site of the world's 
first and leading 100-mile trail ride, and in 1974 became the world's 
first and leading ultramarathon run. These recreational events are of 
tremendous importance to the local community as well as equestrians and 
runners throughout the nation. Western States volunteers dedicate 
hundreds of hours each year to the U.S. Forest Service and California 
Department of Parks and Recreation to maintain the trail, exemplifying 
citizen action at its best.
  Most of the trail remains in the same state as in the 19th century, 
passing through scenic wilderness ranging from the Sierra Crest, to 
magnificent forests and mountain streams, to the grasses and oaks of 
the Sierra foothills.
  The citizen-government partnership that our bill represents continues 
the tradition of the Western States Run to protect and preserve the 
Western States Trail, and to ensure that the public has access to its 
rich history and scenery.
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