Bill Overview
Title: Continental Divide Trail Completion Act
Description: This bill directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail as a contiguous route by November 10, 2028. The Forest Service and Interior must also establish a joint Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management trail completion team to work in coordination with the administrator of the trail to facilitate its completion and optimization. In addition, the Forest Service must submit to specified congressional committees a comprehensive development plan for the trail.
Sponsors: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Target Audience
Population: individuals who engage with or are affected by the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail affects outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and backpackers who use the trail for recreation purposes.
- The trail traverses five U.S. states: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico, which means residents and businesses in these areas will be most directly impacted.
- Completion of the trail may increase tourist activity, thereby affecting local economies and service industries along the trail's path.
- Conservationists and environmentalists will also be impacted as trail completion efforts may involve land use changes and habitat considerations.
- The trail is of interest to multiple federal agencies, which makes government employees within the Forest Service, Department of the Interior, and Bureau of Land Management stakeholders as well.
Reasoning
- Given the scope of the Continental Divide Trail Completion Act, the primary individuals affected will be those who live near or engage with the trail, including outdoor enthusiasts and local businesses that may benefit from increased tourism.
- The policy could positively impact the wellbeing of those who use the trail by providing improved and expanded recreational opportunities, which enhance physical health and mental wellbeing.
- Economic impacts might be felt by business owners and employees in tourism-related industries, potentially improving their economic security and indirectly enhancing wellbeing.
- Government employees are involved in the implementation, but their personal wellbeing will likely be unaffected directly by trail completion.
- Environmental impacts might influence conservationists' perspectives, though the specifics depend on how environmentally sensitive areas are handled during the trail completion process.
Simulated Interviews
Outdoor Recreation Enthusiast (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 7.5 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am thrilled about the idea of having the trail completed. It will make multi-day hikes so much easier to plan and execute.
- A continuous trail will mean less uncertainty and potentially safer conditions for hikers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the trail attracts more hikers, my business might see more customers, which would be amazing for us.
- I'm hopeful but cautious – it's a big project and there are always delays and issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Forest Service Employee (Bozeman, Montana)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a great initiative that aligns with my work in conservation and my personal values.
- The challenge will be completing this trail without impacting sensitive environments negatively.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Tour Guide (Jackson, Wyoming)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While more tourists are good for business, we need to ensure that increased traffic doesn't damage the nature we treasure.
- Balancing economic benefits and conservation efforts is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retiree (Butte, Montana)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finishing the trail would bring more people to this area, which has benefits, but I'm worried about the impact on local wildlife paths.
- I love the peace of the trail as it is. More people might change that.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Graduate Student (Idaho Falls, Idaho)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This project interests me academically and personally. It's a chance to implement best practices in large-scale trail projects.
- I'm concerned about possible ecological side-effects if the trail expansion isn't handled carefully.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Hotel Manager (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving the trail could bring more tourists, which might fill our rooms more often.
- Economic gains don't always translate directly to personal wellbeing, but they help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Appalachian Trail Hiker (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seeing a trail completed is inspiring. It's like finishing a marathon, and it's beneficial for serious hikers like myself.
- I'd love for the CDT to be as well-marked and maintained as other long trails.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Environmental Activist (Missoula, Montana)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The trail completion needs to respect ecological boundaries. If done right, it can serve as a great case study for balancing human activity and conservation.
- I'm supportive if the project listens to environmental concerns seriously.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Real Estate Agent (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A completed trail could increase property values and interest in the region, considering its recreational appeal.
- I'm hopeful that this policy will spur some local economic growth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 2: $4000000 (Low: $3500000, High: $4500000)
Year 3: $5500000 (Low: $5000000, High: $6000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $9000000, High: $11000000)
Year 10: $500000 (Low: $400000, High: $600000)
Year 100: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $150000)
Key Considerations
- Completion of the trail will involve coordination across federal, state, and local governments and authorities.
- Environmental assessments will be critical to avoid negative impacts on wildlife and habitats along the trail.
- Potential resistance or support from local communities and stakeholders along the proposed trail routes.