Bill Overview
Title: Buckeye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the study of the feasibility of designating the Buckeye Trail as a national scenic trail. The Buckeye Trail is a system of trails creating a loop extending approximately 1,454 miles from Lake Erie to the Ohio River, through the farmland of northwest Ohio, the hills of Appalachia, the Black Hand sandstone cliffs of the Hocking Hills region, and the Bluegrass region of southwest Ohio.
Sponsors: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Target Audience
Population: People utilizing or living near the Buckeye Trail
Estimated Size: 11800000
- The Buckeye Trail is a trail that runs through Ohio.
- Approximately 11.8 million people live in Ohio and could potentially be impacted by the designation.
- Although the trail is entirely within Ohio, national scenic trails often attract visitors from outside the state, including national and international hikers.
Reasoning
- The Buckeye National Scenic Trail designation impacts mainly people in Ohio as the trail is situated within the state.
- The current budget constraints allow for limited immediate impact, primarily through increased awareness and potentially boosting short-term local tourism.
- Long-term effects could include enhancement of trail infrastructure, preservation of local environments, and economic benefits to communities along the trail.
- We need to include interviews from both direct users of the trail and residents living nearby who may experience indirect effects such as economic changes.
- Since the trail can attract out-of-state visitors, a couple of interviews should reflect potential impacts on external hikers or enthusiasts.
- Given the scale and location-specific nature of the project, the majority of the population may not experience significant direct changes.
Simulated Interviews
Office Worker (Columbus, Ohio)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I love hiking and use the Buckeye Trail regularly. A national designation would probably bring more hikers and help maintain the trail better.
- It might get more crowded, but better maintained with scenic outposts and info boards; can become a new hobby for others too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Cleveland, Ohio)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The designation can bring more tourists, which is great for my business. However, it depends on the execution and proper funding for trail infrastructure.
- Also, crucial to educate tourists about protecting natural resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Freelance Writer (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Such a designation could give me more content ideas. Readers love stories on natural heritage and culture.
- More facilities would be appreciated; however, commercialization should be controlled.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired (Dayton, Ohio)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Designation is overdue; would encourage more volunteer groups and sponsorships to upgrade trail sections responsibly.
- Hope they consider local feedback on plans to avoid disrupting current natural features.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Teacher (Toledo, Ohio)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A national scenic designation could enhance educational trips—it enables us to teach children about conservation through experience.
- It’s important they don’t disrupt the trail's ecosystem in the name of tourists.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired Nurse (Marietta, Ohio)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our local bird population might be disturbed by increased visitor numbers; however, proper management could mitigate such effects.
- Potential community gatherings or citizen science projects could evolve through this.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Student (Akron, Ohio)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The designation could mean more federal interest which could translate to better research opportunities.
- Worried about ecological damage from poorly managed tourism, making it crucial to have quality management.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Accountant (Columbus, Ohio)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Realistically, I won't be affected much. Maybe some social events or news will mention it, but my routine won't change.
- Nice to know it might make Ohio more appealing to nature enthusiasts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Outdoor Enthusiast (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although I live out of state, a national scenic designation could put the Buckeye Trail on my radar, as I'm always looking for new scenic trails.
- Potential increased foot traffic might change the experience slightly but won’t deter me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Fisheries Biologist (Port Clinton, Ohio)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m curious about changes in local flora and fauna with increased tourism.
- This could present both challenges and learning opportunities for ecological conservation, making it a double-edged sword.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $950000 (Low: $750000, High: $1150000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The study evaluates the trail's feasibility for national designation, with no immediate construction or operational changes.
- Potential future benefits or impacts depend on outcomes after the feasibility study, such as increased tourism.
- The designation as a national scenic trail could lead to enhanced preservation efforts and increased federal interest.