[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL DISCOVERY TRAILS ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN P. SARBANES

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2010

  Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the bipartisan 
National Discovery Trails Act of 2010. This legislation seeks to 
connect existing trails, greenways, and country roads to form the 
American Discovery Trail a unique coast-to-coast, non-motorized, multi-
use trail accessible to urban and rural areas alike all across the 
country.
  Americans have utilized our nation's trail system for more than 40 
years for outdoor recreation, exercise, historic study, and general 
enjoyment of the natural beauty this country has to offer. The American 
Discovery Trail will connect people to small towns, historic sites and 
natural wonders along a coast-to-coast route. It will provide millions 
of people greater access to a trail system that can be utilized for two 
hours, two days, two weeks, two months or longer giving users the 
flexibility to explore the trail for as much or as little time as they 
want. Numerous studies have shown that the presence of trails and 
greenway corridors positively impact quality of life, but also real 
estate property values, small businesses, tourism, and even some 
corporate relocations.
  The National Trails System currently has two categories of 
significant long-distance trails. The first category is the National 
Historic Trail, which are famous historic routes, such as the Santa Fe 
Trail, Pony Express Trail, and the Lewis & Clark Trail. The second 
category is the National Scenic Trail, which are classic wilderness-
only routes meant for hiking far from civilization, such as the 
Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail.
  The National Discovery Trails Act of 2010 would add a third long-
distance national trails category called National Discovery Trails. 
National Discovery Trails would tie together historic and scenic trails 
and connect them with population centers from small towns to big cities 
in a way that will increase access to and awareness of our national 
trail system.
  The legislation would also designate the American Discovery Trail as 
the first National Discovery Trail. The American Discovery Trail 
route--the first non-motorized way to cross the entire country--would 
utilize already existing right-of-ways on public land. It would be a 
patchwork quilt of the country's east-west pathways, including National 
Park hiking trails, National Forest logging roads, sections of historic 
routes, historic canal towpaths, rails-to-trails conversions, state and 
county park trails, country roads, small town sidewalks, and big city 
greenways--all stitched together to form one trail from the Atlantic to 
the Pacific. The National Park Service supported creation of the 
National Discovery Trail designation in a comprehensive feasibility 
study in 1996.
  Madam Speaker, it is time to expand the national trails system and 
establish American Discovery Trails, linking community to community and 
providing trail users the opportunity to journey into the heart of all 
that is uniquely American--its culture, heritage, landscape, and 
spirit. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting of this 
legislation.

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