The House subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands held the first hearing on H.R. 5118, the CDT Completion Act
GOLDEN, Colo. (November 8, 2021) — Today, the Continental Divide Trail Completion Act (H.R. 5118), introduced by sponsor Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-2) and co-sponsored by Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-3), was given a hearing before the House subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
The legislation directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to create an Acquisition Team to coordinate identification and prioritization of gap sections by 2028, the 50th anniversary of the CDT’s designation by Congress. The strategy for acquisition specifically states that eminent domain will not be used to reach the goal of completion, instead relying on the strength of the public-private partnerships along the Divide and dedicated engagement with stakeholders near the gap areas.
Teresa Martinez, Executive Director of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, was asked to provide witness testimony on the bill, as the lead organization whose mission is the completion, protection, and promotion of the CDT.
“This legislation addresses these last remaining, often complex, multi-jurisdictional gaps and help us build meaningful relationships with stakeholders, communities, private landowners, state and federal agencies, and Tribal entities so that not only do we find innovative and creative solutions to completing these gaps, we create a new model for Shared Stewardship,” stated Teresa Martinez in her testimony. “It has a unique opportunity to define a new model for Shared Stewardship that may be implemented in a more equitable and just way not only for the CDT, but across all of our nation’s trails, waters, forests, parks and special places. Because you see, completing the CDT is not just about closing the gaps — it’s about all the benefits that result from creating a culture around the Continental Divide and the Trail along its spine, and ensuring connections to one of the most important landscapes of the North American Continent exists for future generations to come.”
The dedicated efforts of agency staff, trail organizations, volunteers, Gateway Communities, and other partners have successfully brought the trail to 95% completion, with much progress in the last decade that can also be attributed to the approval of willing-seller authorization in the 2009 Public Land Omnibus bill and full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in 2020. Currently, in approximately 5% of CDT miles, recreationists enjoying the trail are diverted onto roads or busy highways, which are not safe or enjoyable for trail travelers.
“The CDT Completion Act will provide the agency staff, leadership, and resources critical to implement the amazing legislative tools, such as the 2009 Public Lands Omnibus which granted willing seller authorization and full funding of LWCF projects through the Great American Outdoors Act, we already have for securing land acquisitions and easements to close the gaps across the Trail,” says Dan Carter, CDTC’s Trail and Lands Conservation Manager. “Building upon the strong partnership between CDTC, other partner organizations, and agencies across the Trail, and a solid legislative foundation, the CDT Completion Act is the natural next step for completing the CDT.”
CDTC thanks the House subcommittee for taking the time to listen and consider this historic piece of legislation, and thanks the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Neguse, and original co-sponsor, Rep. Leger Fernandez, for continuing to advocate for the many volunteers, staff, recreationists, CDTC members, and communities who all have a vested interest in the completion of the trail.
Quotes from Supporting Members of the Trail Community:
Dr. Richard Kozoll, Cuba, New Mexico: The Village of Cuba is the gateway to the CDT for much of northern New Mexico. For decades, a 12-mile gap in the trail north and south of town has impaired access to scenic public lands that surround us. I have been working with land managers, advocates and other partners since 2007 to complete our section of trail, and we have a number elements in place. With passage of H.R. 5118, the Continental Divide Completion Act, we would receive the assistance we need for acquisition of land and construction of new trail to fill the gap. We are just one of many communities along the trail. To support HR 5118 is to support rural America.
Kevin Webber, Denver, Colorado – CEO of Carboy Winery: The Continental Divide Trail is more than just a living museum of American history and wild landscapes, it’s a conduit for local economies in gateway communities along the trail. As an owner of multiple businesses I have seen and felt this impact, and as a fourth-generation Colorado native and outdoor enthusiast, completing the trail cements the importance of preserving this piece of history for future generations.
Carol A. Martin, Silver City, Grant County, New Mexico: I live in Silver City New Mexico, the first Gateway Community on the CDT established in April 2014. There is a 10-mile gap in the trail from the Burro Mountains west of Silver City to LS Mesa, which crosses Hwy 180. This forces the thru-hikers to walk along Hwy 180 for 23 miles into Silver City to resupply. Please help support the CDT Completion Act to help fill this very important missing piece of the CDT and keep hikers on the CDT instead of walking along the edge of Hwy 180.
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About the Continental Divide Trail
The CDT is one of the world’s premiere long-distance trails, stretching 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide. Designated by Congress in 1978, the CDT is the highest, most challenging and most remote of the 11 National Scenic Trails. It provides recreational opportunities ranging from hiking to horseback riding to hunting for thousands of visitors each year. While 95% of the CDT is located on public land, approximately 150 miles are still in need of protection.
About the Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The CDTC was founded in 2012 by volunteers and recreationists hoping to provide a unified voice for the Trail. Working hand-in-hand with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal land management agencies, the CDTC is a non-profit partner supporting stewardship of the CDT. The mission of the CDTC is to complete, promote and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, a world-class national resource. For more information, please visit continentaldividetrail.org.
