Bill Overview
Title: Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Act
Description: This bill designates the Benton MacKaye Trail as the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail and adds the trail to the National Trails System. This trail extends approximately 287 miles across Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Sponsors: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Target Audience
Population: People who use, manage, or live near the Benton MacKaye Trail
Estimated Size: 750000
- The bill designates the Benton MacKaye Trail as a National Scenic Trail, which may change its management, funding, and usage guidelines.
- Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who use the trail across Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina would be directly impacted as they might experience changes in trail maintenance and access.
- Local economies near the trail may see increased tourism and economic benefits due to enhanced national visibility and possibly increased trail traffic.
- Environmental groups and conservationists who focus on the preservation of natural habitats would be stakeholders in ensuring that the trail is maintained according to national standards.
- Federal and state agencies involved in trail management and national park services will have roles in the trail's maintenance and promotion.
- Residents living near the trail may experience increased foot traffic and tourism, impacting local infrastructure and community life.
Reasoning
- The Benton MacKaye Trail's potential to bring economic benefits to local communities hinges on how well it is promoted and maintained as a scenic trail. The allocation of this new budget will likely impact a sizable number of people, particularly those who live near the trail or participate in hiking and outdoor recreation in the region.
- Given the trail's length and spread across three states, resource distribution and trail management might pose challenges, which could affect wellbeing scores, especially if individuals perceive improvements or setbacks differently over time.
- There is a relatively diverse group of stakeholders involved, including local businesses, environmentalists, hikers, state and federal agencies, and residents near the trail. These factors contribute to varied impacts, with only some groups experiencing increased wellbeing due to direct economic benefits or improved trail conditions.
- The policy's effects will be more pronounced in specific geographical areas where the trail runs, promoting increased local and potentially national attention.
Simulated Interviews
Small Business Owner (Asheville, NC)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that the trail's national designation will bring more business to my shop. Increased tourism could be a great boost.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Environmental Scientist (Cleveland, TN)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The designation is promising, but I'm concerned about conservation. Increased traffic could harm local ecosystems if not properly managed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired (Blue Ridge, GA)
Age: 51 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It could be nice to see more people appreciate the trail, but I worry about traffic and noise.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Park Ranger (Knoxville, TN)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With the new funding, we can better maintain the trail, which is great for both safety and conservation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Outdoor Enthusiast (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited! More funding could mean better trail maps and facilities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Restaurant Owner (Chattanooga, TN)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More tourists coming through would be great, though I'm worried about how sustainable it is in the long run.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Local Government Official (Murphy, NC)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This designation is a big win for local development. It can lead to more grants and opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
College Student (Nantahala, NC)
Age: 19 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm thrilled for the possibility of increased funding for maintenance and ecological study programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Part-time Nature Photographer (Fannin County, GA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It would be rewarding to see the trail gain national attention, making my photography more valuable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Freelance Writer (Blairsville, GA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The national designation is an excellent topic for my writing, providing fresh insights and stories.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy entails long-term maintenance and operational adjustments to align with National Scenic Trail standards and requirements.
- Increased regulatory oversight and enhanced protection standards for the trail’s natural landscapes and ecosystems.
- Enhanced visibility and potential strain on existing trail infrastructure from increased tourism and promotion.
- Long-term impacts on local economies near the trail due to possible changes in tourism dynamics.