[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 118 (Monday, July 18, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H6694-H6695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
BIKING ON LONG-DISTANCE TRAILS ACT
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 6337) to require the Secretary of the Interior and the
Secretary of Agriculture to develop long-distance bike trails on
Federal land, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6337
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 ``Biking on Long-Distance
Trails Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Federal recreational lands.--The term ``Federal
recreational lands'' has the meaning given the term ``Federal
recreational lands and waters'' in section 802(5) of the
Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801(5)).
(2) Long-distance bike trail.--The term ``long-distance
bike trail'' means a continuous route, consisting of 1 or
more trails or rights-of-way, that--
(A) is not less than 80 miles in length;
(B) primarily makes use of dirt or natural surface trails;
(C) may require connections along paved or other improved
roads;
(D) does not include Federal recreational lands where
mountain biking or related activities are not consistent with
management requirements for those Federal recreational lands;
and
(E) to the maximum extent practicable, makes use of trails
and roads that were on Federal recreational lands on or
before the date of the enactment of this Act.
(3) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means the
Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture,
acting jointly.
(4) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned''
means the following:
(A) The Secretary of the Interior, with respect to Federal
recreational lands under the jurisdiction of that Secretary.
(B) The Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to Federal
recreational lands under the jurisdiction of that Secretary.
SEC. 3. LONG-DISTANCE BIKE TRAILS ON FEDERAL RECREATIONAL
LANDS.
(a) Identification of Long-distance Trails.--Not later than
18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretaries shall identify--
(1) not fewer than 10 long-distance bike trails that make
use of trails and roads in existence on the date of the
enactment of this Act; and
(2) not fewer than 10 areas in which there is an
opportunity to develop or complete a trail that would qualify
as a long-distance bike trail.
(b) Public Comment.--The Secretaries shall--
(1) develop a process to allow members of the public to
comment regarding the identification of trails and areas
under subsection (a); and
(2) consider the identification, development, and
completion of long-distance bike trails in a geographically
equitable manner.
(c) Maps, Signage, and Promotional Materials.--For any
long-distance bike trail identified under subsection (a), the
Secretary concerned may--
(1) publish and distribute maps, install signage, and issue
promotional materials; and
(2) coordinate with stakeholders to leverage any non-
Federal resources necessary for the stewardship, development,
or completion of trails.
(d) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretaries, in partnership with
interested organizations, shall prepare and publish a report
that lists the trails identified under subsection (a),
including a summary of public comments received in accordance
with the process developed under subsection (b).
(e) Conflict Avoidance With Other Uses.--The Secretary
concerned shall ensure that each long-distance bike trail or
area identified under subsection (a)--
(1) does not conflict with--
(A) the uses, before the date of the enactment of this Act,
of any trail or road that is part of that long-distance bike
trail;
(B) multiple-use areas where biking, hiking, horseback
riding, or use by pack and saddle stock are existing uses on
the date of the enactment of this Act;
(C) the purposes for which any trail was or is established
under the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 et
seq.); and
(D) any area managed under the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1131 et seq.); and
(2) complies with land use and management plans of the
Federal recreational lands that are part of that long-
distance bike trail.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Huffman) and the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms.
Herrell) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in strong support of H.R. 6337, the Biking on Long-Distance
Trails Act.
This bill would expand outdoor recreational opportunities by
developing and completing long-distance bike trails and expanding
mapping resources
[[Page H6695]]
for long-distance biking on Federal land.
The legislation would expand outdoor recreation opportunities
throughout the country and boost local economies that rely on tourism
and the outdoor industry.
Additionally, ensuring Americans have access to public lands is
critical to the development of multiple-use management, which includes
outdoor recreation, resource development, and grazing. This bill
identifies long-distance bike trails on Federal lands, making them
easier for the public to explore and use for personal enjoyment.
I thank my colleague, Representative Neguse, for introducing this
important legislation and championing it on behalf of his constituents.
I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my
time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC, July 15, 2022.
Hon. David Scott,
Chair, Committee on Agriculture,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chair Scott: I write to you concerning H.R. 6337 the
``Biking on Long-Distance Trails Act.''
I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this
legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions
that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on
Agriculture. I acknowledge that your Committee will not
formally consider H.R. 6337 and agree that the inaction of
your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any
future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in the
bill that fall within your Committee's Rule X jurisdiction.
Additionally, the Committee on Natural Resources confirms
our mutual understanding that the Committee on Agriculture
will be appropriately consulted and involved as the bill or
similar legislation moves forward so that you may address any
remaining issues within your jurisdiction. I am pleased to
support the appointment of members of the Committee on
Agriculture to any conference committee to consider such
provisions.
I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you
as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Raul M. Grijalva,
Chair, House Natural Resources Committee.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Agriculture,
Washington, DC, July 15, 2022.
Hon. Raul M. Grijalva,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Grijalva: This letter confirms our mutual
understanding regarding H.R. 6337, the Biking on Long-
Distance Trails Act. Thank you for collaborating with the
Committee on Agriculture.
Our Committee will forgo consideration of this bill so that
it can proceed expeditiously to the House floor. However, the
Committee on Agriculture reserves the right to seek the
appointment of conferees to any House-Senate conference and
requests consultation on any remaining matters within our
jurisdiction.
We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming
this understanding with respect to H.R. 6337, and request
that a copy of our letters on this matter be published in the
Congressional Record during Floor consideration.
Sincerely,
David Scott,
Chairman.
Ms. HERRELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6337, a bipartisan bill
sponsored by Representative Joe Neguse.
The Biking on Long-Distance Trails, or BOLT Act, is intended to meet
the needs of biking enthusiasts by increasing the number of long-
distance biking trails on Federal lands.
The BOLT Act would require the Secretaries of the Interior and
Agriculture to identify at least 10 existing long-distance bike trails
and identify at least 10 areas where there is opportunity to develop or
complete such trails.
Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sectors in the outdoor
recreation economy, and I support identifying new opportunities for the
public to recreate on Federal lands. The BOLT Act will make long-
distance bike trails safer and more accessible to riders throughout the
country.
I urge adoption of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1500
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. HERRELL. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill and yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this
legislation and yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6337, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question
are postponed.
____________________