16 U.S.C. § 1241 : US Code - Section 1241: Congressional statement of policy and declaration of purpose

Search 16 U.S.C. § 1241 : US Code - Section 1241: Congressional statement of policy and declaration of purpose

(a) Considerations for determining establishment of trails
In order to provide for the ever-increasing outdoor recreation
needs of an expanding population and in order to promote the
preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and
appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources
of the Nation, trails should be established (i) primarily, near the
urban areas of the Nation, and (ii) secondarily, within scenic
areas and along historic travel routes of the Nation, which are
often more remotely located.
(b) Initial components
The purpose of this chapter is to provide the means for attaining
these objectives by instituting a national system of recreation,
scenic and historic trails, by designating the Appalachian Trail
and the Pacific Crest Trail as the initial components of that
system, and by prescribing the methods by which, and standards
according to which, additional components may be added to the
system.
(c) Volunteer citizen involvement
The Congress recognizes the valuable contributions that
volunteers and private, nonprofit trail groups have made to the
development and maintenance of the Nation's trails. In recognition
of these contributions, it is further the purpose of this chapter
to encourage and assist volunteer citizen involvement in the
planning, development, maintenance, and management, where
appropriate, of trails.