Appalachian Trail Centennial Act

The Appalachian Trail Centennial Act designates the Appalachian Trail Conservancy as the official partner to work with federal agencies on managing the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. It establishes a formal cooperative management system that defines how federal agencies (Interior and Agriculture), state entities, tribal governments, and volunteer organizations will share responsibilities for trail maintenance, land preservation, and visitor management. The bill creates specific mechanisms for volunteer coordination, land acquisition priorities, economic impact assessments for nearby communities, and dispute resolution processes. This legislation aims to strengthen the collaborative model pioneered by the Appalachian Trail for managing all national historic and scenic trails across the country.