Position on H.R. 8403 & H.R. 9111

H.R. 8403 – Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act: NPCA supports this legislation to study the Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) for potential national scenic trail designation. The 300-mile BMT is an important recreational resource near urban southeastern centers and wends in and out of forests for 93-miles in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The biodiversity found along the BMT is nearly unparalleled in the temperate world. Whether we are talking birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, flowering plants, or tree species, the trail provides opportunities for solitude, wildlife watching, and appreciating the diverse ecosystems that it passes through. The BMT boosts economic activity in several rural communities along the trail’s length. A national scenic trail designation would bring thousands more hikers to the trail annually, further increasing economic activity in rural communities in North Georgia, East Tennessee, and Western North Carolina.

H.R. 9111 – Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act: NPCA has concerns about this legislation and we look forward to working with the bill sponsor and committee staff before this bill moves forward to a markup. The bill would redesignate most of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which consists of 21 islands and a 12-mile stretch on the mainland, as a National Park. Sand Island, currently within the lakeshore, would be redesignated a National Preserve and would retain the hunting and trapping activities that would no longer be allowed on the other islands or mainland under the national park designation. NPCA is concerned that the “national preserve” designation could lead to less protections for Sand Island than exist now as a national lakeshore and suggest language be added to clarify that no new activities or development would be allowed within the preserve.

NPCA also believes the legislation should address the 1842 Treaty Rights of sovereign nations, including Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The park’s islands and waters are used by the Tribes for cultural ceremonies, hunting, fishing and trapping and 1842 Treaty nations should be consulted as part of the conversation around this bill. We urge the committee to table consideration of the bill until tribal consultation and more community dialogue takes place regarding the impact of this legislation.