I
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1319
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 1, 2023
Mr. Neguse (for himself, Mr. Curtis, and Mrs. Lee of Nevada) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to develop long-distance bike trails on Federal land.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Biking on Long-Distance Trails Act
.
Definitions
In this Act:
Federal recreational lands
The term Federal recreational lands
has the meaning given the term Federal recreational lands and waters
in section 802(5) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801(5)).
Long-distance bike trail
The term long-distance bike trail
means a continuous route, consisting of 1 or more trails or rights-of-way, that—
is not less than 80 miles in length;
primarily makes use of dirt or natural surface trails;
may require connections along paved or other improved roads;
does not include Federal recreational lands where mountain biking or related activities are not consistent with management requirements for those Federal recreational lands; and
to the maximum extent practicable, makes use of trails and roads that were on Federal recreational lands on or before the date of the enactment of this Act.
Secretaries
The term Secretaries
means the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, acting jointly.
Secretary concerned
The term Secretary concerned
means the following:
The Secretary of the Interior, with respect to Federal recreational lands under the jurisdiction of that Secretary.
The Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to Federal recreational lands under the jurisdiction of that Secretary.
Long-distance bike trails on Federal recreational lands
Identification of long-Distance trails
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall identify—
not fewer than 10 long-distance bike trails that make use of trails and roads in existence on the date of the enactment of this Act; and
not fewer than 10 areas in which there is an opportunity to develop or complete a trail that would qualify as a long-distance bike trail.
Public comment
The Secretaries shall—
develop a process to allow members of the public to comment regarding the identification of trails and areas under subsection (a); and
consider the identification, development, and completion of long-distance bike trails in a geographically equitable manner.
Maps, signage, and promotional materials
For any long-distance bike trail identified under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned may—
publish and distribute maps, install signage, and issue promotional materials; and
coordinate with stakeholders to leverage any non-Federal resources necessary for the stewardship, development, or completion of trails.
Report
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretaries, in partnership with interested organizations, shall prepare and publish a report that lists the trails identified under subsection (a), including a summary of public comments received in accordance with the process developed under subsection (b).
Conflict avoidance with other uses
The Secretary concerned shall ensure that each long-distance bike trail or area identified under subsection (a)—
does not conflict with—
the uses, before the date of the enactment of this Act, of any trail or road that is part of that long-distance bike trail;
multiple-use areas where biking, hiking, horseback riding, or use by pack and saddle stock are existing uses on the date of the enactment of this Act;
the purposes for which any trail was or is established under the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 et seq.); and
any area managed under the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); and
complies with land use and management plans of the Federal recreational lands that are part of that long-distance bike trail.
