Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act

Continental Divide Trail Completion Act

This bill addresses the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which extends from the Montana-Canada border to the New Mexico-Mexico border.

Not later than November 10, 2028, the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior shall ensure the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail as a contiguous route.

In carrying out the completion of the trail, the Forest Service, in coordination with Interior, shall establish a joint Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management trail completion team to work in coordination with the trail's administrator to facilitate the completion and optimization of the trail, pursuant to the purposes for national scenic trails and the trail's nature and purposes.

The Forest Service shall submit a comprehensive acquisition and development plan to Congress no later than two years after the establishment of the team. The plan should

• identify any gaps in the trail where the Forest Service and Interior have not been able to acquire land or interests in land by purchase from a willing seller, by donation, by exchange, or by cooperative agreement;
• include a plan for closing such gaps by acquiring lands or interests in land; and
• include general and site-specific development plans, including anticipated costs.

The Forest Service and Interior may (1) acquire land only by purchase from a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds, donation, or exchange; and (2) not acquire land by eminent domain.

Continental Divide Trail Completion Act

This bill addresses the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which extends from the Montana-Canada border to the New Mexico-Mexico border.

No later than November 10, 2028, the Forest Service shall substantially complete the land acquisition program necessary to ensure the completion of the trail.

In carrying out the completion of the land acquisition program, the Forest Service, in coordination with the Department of the Interior, shall establish a joint Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land acquisition team. This team shall work in coordination with the trail's administrator to facilitate the completion and optimization of the trail.

The Forest Service shall submit a comprehensive acquisition or protection plan to Congress no later than three years after this bill's enactment. The plan should

• identify any incomplete segments or gaps where the respective agencies have not been able to acquire access, right-of-ways, easements, or acquisitions to date from willing sellers, donations, or exchanges;
• include a plan for all lands to be acquired by fee title or lesser interest, along with an explanation of anticipated necessary cooperative agreements for any lands not to be acquired; and
• include general and site-specific development plans, including anticipated costs.

The team may (1) acquire land only by purchase from a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds, donation, or exchange; and (2) not acquire land by eminent domain.

The Forest Service and the Continental Divide Trail Coalition shall transmit specified annual reports to Congress until the completion of the land acquisition program.