Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act

S 594, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act, requires the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail as a contiguous route by November 2028. The bill directs federal agencies to acquire land or easements (through purchase, donation, or agreements) to eliminate trail gaps and optimize sections on federal land, prioritizing input from local stakeholders, landowners, and New Mexico land-grant communities (including acequias, or community water systems). It mandates a joint federal team to coordinate trail completion, develop a comprehensive plan, and submit annual reports to Congress detailing land acquisitions, costs, and progress. The law specifically prohibits using eminent domain and protects existing land grant-merced and acequia rights during trail development. This affects federal agencies, landowners, New Mexico communities with historic land grants, and the Continental Divide Trail Coalition managing the trail.