[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 94 (Thursday, June 7, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E794-E795]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR H.R. 1026--NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL 
                          ROUTE ADJUSTMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD M. NOLAN

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2018

  Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful the House recently passed 
H.R.1026, the North Country National Scenic Trail Route Adjustment Act 
under suspension of the rules by voice vote. My office received a 
number of letters in support of H.R. 1026 I am including. in the 
Record.
  Specifically, we received letters from the North Country Trail 
Association, the American Hiking Society, and the Partnership for the 
National Trails System.
  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to timely action in the U.S. Senate to 
ensure enactment of this bipartisan, commonsense measure before the end 
of the 115th Congress.
                                               Partnership for the


                                       National Trails System,

                                        Madison, WI, June 1, 2018.
     Re H.R. 1026.

       Dear Member of Congress: We urge your support for the 
     passage of H.R. 1026, the North Country National Scenic Trail 
     Route Adjustment Act, which is scheduled for a floor vote in 
     the House on June 5th.
       We ask this on behalf of:
       Local communities in northeastern Minnesota and Vermont 
     directly affected by this bill, in order that they enjoy the 
     many economic, recreational and quality of life benefits 
     through this designation of a National Scenic Trail passing 
     through their communities.
       The North Country Trail community--now representing over 
     50,000 hikers, trail builders and trail maintainers--who have 
     worked tirelessly for over 15 years to finally see this 
     legislation passed.
       The hundreds of thousands of American families who use the 
     North Country National Scenic Trail to enjoy the many health, 
     recreational, and family values benefits of hiking on a 
     National Trail, and being connected with others who call 
     America's northern heartlands home.
       The millions of Americans who annually are refreshed, 
     invigorated, educated, and inspired thru their journeys on 
     our 30 National Scenic and Historic Trails throughout 
     America.
       This simple bill corrects an oversight perpetuated in the 
     original 1980 authorization of the North Country National 
     Scenic Trail, adjusts its authorized mileage to the more 
     accurate number and saves money by replacing the far more 
     costly original route in Minnesota that required traversing 
     wetlands with world class trail that is mostly already 
     constructed.
       In honor of this 50th Anniversary Year of the National 
     Trails System our community of trail makers and trail users 
     requests your support of H.R. 1026 to fully realize the 
     public benefit envisioned by Congress for the North Country 
     National Scenic Trail. We hope we can count on you.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Gary Werner,
     Executive Director.
                                  ____


                                      American Hiking Society,

                                  Silver Spring, MD, June 5, 2018.
     Re American Hiking Society Urges Support of H.R. 1026.

       Dear Representative: As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary 
     of the National Trails System Act and work to realize the 
     completion and connection of our National Trails System, 
     American Hiking Society strongly supports the passage of H.R. 
     1026, the North Country National Scenic Trail Route 
     Adjustment Act. This bill seeks to fully realize the original 
     vision for the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) by 
     rerouting the trail between Jay Cooke State Park and Chippewa 
     National Forest in Minnesota and extending the trail from its 
     current end in Crown Point, New York, to connect with the 
     Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Vermont.
       H.R. 1026 is enthusiastically supported by the national 
     hiking community at large and especially by the trail's 
     surrounding communities and townships. The legislation is 
     also supported by the entire Minnesota congressional 
     delegation. This trail provides a ``close to home'' park for 
     millions of Americans and offers low-cost recreational 
     opportunities for families, children, the elderly, and 
     others. It's completion and connection to similar trails 
     would greatly enhance these opportunities and fulfill 
     Congress's vision for this trail when it first authorized it.
       The economic impact of this trail and the improved economic 
     activity it would generate if completed and connected with 
     other highly trafficked trails would be significant. 
     According to the Outdoor Industry Association, trails in 
     America accounted for $201 billion in annual spending in 2017 
     and were responsible for 1.7 million jobs. Much of this 
     spending takes place in small communities along each of the 
     trails, communities for which this income is substantial, 
     meaningful, and will remain local. Many of the jobs trails 
     create can't be exported offshore: guides and outfitters, 
     hotel staff and restauranteurs, and numerous others directly 
     benefit the community in which they reside.
       In response to some concerns raised about an expansion of 
     the federal footprint, AHS notes that, in a cost estimate 
     prepared by the CBO, the CBO stated; ``ongoing costs to 
     develop, manage, and maintain the added property would be 
     negligible.'' How often can Congress approve a project where 
     the brunt of the hard work is taken on by volunteers? And 
     where the volunteers themselves along with nonprofit partners 
     fund raise to support those efforts?
       These trails are more than just an economic engine. Since 
     our nation's founding, the outdoors have been a distinctive 
     part of our American heritage and trails such as the NCNST 
     are integral to that. Whether it's a family out for a hike on 
     a nearby trail or as the returning veteran walking off the 
     war, Americans continue to seek places for outdoor 
     recreation, a connection to nature, and healthy exercise. 
     Thanks to Congress, just such a place exists in the NCNST. 
     Now we ask Congress to finish what was begun fifty years ago, 
     allow the volunteers to get to doing what they do so well, 
     and at long last begin the completion of one of America's 
     greatest National Scenic Trails.

[[Page E795]]

       Please contact Tyler Ray, Director of Policy and Advocacy 
     with any questions or for additional information.
           Sincerely,
                                                        Tyler Ray,
     Director of Policy and Advocacy.
                                  ____



                              North Country Trail Association,

                                         Lowell, MI, May 31, 2018.
     RE H.R. 1026.

       Dear Member of Congress: We urge your support for the 
     passage of H.R. 1026, the North Country National Scenic Trail 
     Route Adjustment Act, which is scheduled for a floor vote in 
     the House on June 5th.
       We ask this on behalf of:
       Local communities in northeastern Minnesota and Vermont 
     directly affected by this bill, in order that they enjoy the 
     many economic, recreational and quality of life benefits 
     through this designation of a National Scenic Trail passing 
     through their communities.
       The North Country Trail community--now representing over 
     50,000 hikers, trail builders and trail maintainers--who have 
     worked tirelessly for over 15 years to finally see this 
     legislation passed.
       The hundreds of thousands of American families who use the 
     North Country National Scenic Trail to enjoy the many health, 
     recreational and family values benefits of hiking on a 
     National Trail, and being connected with others who call 
     America's northern heartlands home.
       This simple bill corrects an oversight perpetuated in the 
     original 1980 authorization of the North Country National 
     Scenic Trail, adjusts its authorized mileage to the more 
     accurate number and in fact saves money by replacing the far 
     more costly original route in Minnesota that required 
     traversing wetlands with world class trail that is mostly 
     already constructed.
       Using a proven approach based on a public/private 
     partnership that leverages the public benefit with both sweat 
     equity and private funding, our community needs your support 
     of H.R. 1026 to fully realize the public benefit envisioned 
     by Congress for the North Country National Scenic Trail. We 
     hope we can count on you.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Andrea Ketchmark,
     Executive Director.

                          ____________________