Walking On Volume 3, Issue 8, September 2016 | Page 6
Industry Info
National Forest Trail Bill
Approved by House Agriculture Committee
Today, the House Committee on
Agriculture unanimously approved
the National Forest Service Trail
Stewardship Act of 2015 (H.R.845).
The bill, introduced by Congresswomen Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)
and Tim Walz (D-MN), would
direct the Forest Service to take
several actions to help address the
current trail maintenance backlog
that is adversely impacting all trail
users on many national forests, including equestrians. The American
Horse Council, Backcountry Horsemen of America, and the Wilderness
Society were significantly involved
in the creation of this bill.
A June 2013, study by the Government Accountability Office
(GAO) found that the Forest Service
has deferred trail maintenance needs
that exceed half-billion dollars, and
only one-quarter of the agency’s
158,000 miles of trails meets agency
standards for maintenance. This
maintenance backlog is causing ac-
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cess and safety issues for equestrians
and all trail users on national forests.
The National Forest Service Trail
Stewardship Act would direct the
Forest Service to develop a strategy
to more effectively utilize volunteers
and partners to assist in maintaining national forest trails. It will also
provide outfitters and guides the
ability to perform trail maintenance
activities in lieu of permit fees.
Additionally, the bill would address
a liability issue that has discouraged
some national forests from utilizing
volunteers and partner organizations to help perform trail maintenance and would direct the Forest
Service to identify and prioritize
specific areas with the greatest need
for trail maintenance in the national
forest system.
In the current fiscal environment
it is unlikely Congress will appropriate additional funds to directly
address the trail maintenance backlog. This bill will help improve trail
maintenance without the need for
additional funding.
The AHC is pleased the House
Committee on Agriculture has approved this important legislation.
The bill must now be considered
by the full House.