Utah's 280-mile trail gets a federal feasibility study
H.R. 3451 — To amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. · Filed by Mike Kennedy (R-UT) · 3 cosponsors · Introduced May 15, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to study whether the Bonneville Shoreline Trail—a 280-mile network of existing and potential trails in Utah following an ancient lakebed—should be formally designated as part of the National Trails System. The study itself creates no new trail; it is a feasibility assessment that may lead to future designation and associated protections or management.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole function is to authorize a feasibility study for designating an existing trail system as part of the National Trails System. It is a straightforward administrative directive with no hidden mechanisms or narrow beneficiaries.
What the text implies
- Formal designation under the National Trails System may trigger future federal funding, management agreements, or land-use coordination with state and local authorities, though this bill itself does not appropriate money or mandate action beyond the study.
- The study may identify segments requiring easements or access agreements with private landowners, potentially creating future negotiation or acquisition costs not addressed in this bill.
Who it affects
The bill creates a study process that may result in federal recognition and protection of a 280-mile recreational trail system, benefiting hikers, outdoor users, and conservation interests in Utah. There is no direct cost to citizens; the study is a precursor to potential future designation that would enhance public access and stewardship of the landscape.