Appalachian Trail Centennial Act

The Appalachian Trail Centennial Act establishes a formal framework for managing the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and other national historic and scenic trails through cooperative partnerships. It designates the Appalachian Trail Conservancy as the official "Designated Operational Partner" for the Appalachian Trail, formalizing their role in trail operations, maintenance, and volunteer coordination. The bill creates structured processes for land protection planning, visitor capacity assessments, and economic impact studies of trail use on nearby communities ("gateway communities"). It also defines clear roles for Federal agencies (like the Department of the Interior and Agriculture) in administration while strengthening partnerships with volunteer organizations and local communities. The legislation aims to formalize and strengthen the century-old volunteer-based management model that has been central to the Appalachian Trail's success.