January 27, 2026
Mr. Huffman (for himself, Ms. Lofgren, Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Thompson of California, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Khanna, Ms. Simon, Mr. Liccardo, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Swalwell, and Mr. Panetta) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
To amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Bay Area Ridge National Scenic Trail, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Findings
Congress finds that the Bay Area Ridge Trail—
(1)
is a scenic nonmotorized multi-use trail that extends approximately 550 miles;
(2)
consists of approximately 415 completed miles and another approximately 140 miles of the route are yet-to-be completed;
(3)
is located near the urban areas of the Nation, and allows people access to the scenic ridgelines of the Bay Area;
(4)
provides maximum outdoor recreation potential to a large diverse population and many year-round visitors to the Bay Area;
(5)
provides for the enjoyment of nationally significant scenic, historic, and cultural qualities including the Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, State and local parks, among others;
(6)
passes through a diversity of environments, including marsh, grassland, mountain, canyon, rivers, and forests;
(7)
includes landforms that exhibit significant characteristics, including the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Andreas fault, volcanic areas, geologic formations, and wetlands; and
(8)
connects with side trails and regional connector trails such as the Bay Trail, Vine Trail, and Coyote Creek Trail, which provide additional public access and connect to major population centers.
Sec. 2. Bay Area Ridge National Scenic Trail feasibility study
Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(50) Bay area ridge national scenic trail
(A) In general
The Bay Area Ridge National Scenic Trail, a multi-use trail extending approximately 550 miles along the ridgelines of the hills and mountains surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California and connecting over 75 parks and open spaces.
(B) Study
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary of Interior, in consultation with interested organizations, including the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, shall complete and submit to Congress the feasibility study for designating the Bay Area Ridge Trail as a national scenic trail.
(C) Consultation
The study under this paragraph shall be conducted in consultation with each Federal and State agency that administers lands through which the trail described in subparagraph (A) passes.