Two generations ago, Congress established national trails that today run along the Appalachian Mountains and Pacific Crest. But the trail linking the nation’s backbone, the Continental Divide, remains unfinished.
Now three members of Colorado’s congressional delegation have signed on to an effort to complete the Continental Divide Trail and similar historic and scenic paths. But they need key GOP leaders to drop their ill-conceived opposition.
Called HR 2332, the measure would let the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and other federal agencies purchase private property to complete the trails. The sponsors include Colorado U.S. Reps. Mark Udall, a Democrat, and Republicans Joel Hefley and Bob Beauprez. Without the purchases, the Continental Divide Trail and other remaining projects could be left with gaps or poorly situated routes.
Since 1968, Congress has approved 23 national scenic and historic trails, but it didn’t give them all an equal opportunity for success. The two trails Congress approved before 1978 and the 13 trails lawmakers OK’d after 1983 all have had permission to negotiate with private landowners who wanted to voluntarily sell properties to the projects. But nine paths approved from 1978 to 1983, including the Continental Divide Trail, weren’t given the same authority. Congress needs to grant it if the projects are to be finished.
The Continental Divide Trail would traverse 3,100 miles from New Mexico through Montana, with several hundred miles snaking through Colorado’s high country. Parts have been built, but the significant gaps include places near the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests in north-central Colorado.
The U.S. Senate passed a willing-seller bill in 2002 at the behest of Colorado Republican Wayne Allard, but the proposal stalled in the House. Allard tried again in 2003 with the same result.
This year, the effort has been restarted in the House, where the idea enjoys bipartisan support.
Opposition remains, though, because of unfounded fears the bill would infringe on private property rights. But the “willing seller” plan only creates opportunities for property owners to voluntarily sell land – it doesn’t create condemnation rights. Indeed, it’s the lack of legislation that’s infringing on rights of landowners who want to sell their holdings.
