Congressman Cohen Introduces Benton MacKaye Scenic Trail Act

Press Release

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a member of the Natural Resources Committee, today introduced the Benton MacKaye Scenic Trail Act, linking Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina over 287 scenic miles of mountains, valleys, forests and waterfalls. The trail, on federal land for 95 percent of its length, would be administered by the National Forest Service.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"The Benton MacKaye Scenic Trail will provide serious hikers and leisurely day-trippers a natural wonderland of hills, valleys, trees, wildlife and natural beauty. I'm proud to be joined by Representative Chuck Fleischmann, whose district is part of the route, and by Representatives Jim Cooper and Scott DesJarlais, in enhancing our nation's portfolio of scenic trails."

Ken Cissna, the President of the Benton MacKaye Trail Association, make the following statement:

"First and foremost, I want to thank Congressmen Cohen, Cooper, DesJarlais, and Fleischmann for introducing this legislation, which, if passed by Congress and signed by the President, would designate the Benton MacKaye Trail a National Scenic Trail. I also want to thank their staff for diligently working to make this bill a reality.

"The natural beauty of the BMT makes it worthy of such a designation: The trail's emerald-green forests, stunning vistas, rippling streams, and rushing waterfalls are just part of the stunning beauty found in the Southern Appalachian Mountains…

"Tens of thousands of hikers use the trail every year. Those numbers would increase thanks to better recreational opportunities made possible by the National Scenic Trail designation. Those hikers would provide a boon to local economies. As a National Scenic Trail, the Benton MacKaye Trail Association would be better able to preserve, protect, and maintain the trail's natural beauty."

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