California
Senate Passes Bay Area Ridge National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act
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Key points
- The U.S. Senate unanimously passed S. 3720 to study designating the Bay Area Ridge Trail as a national scenic trail.
- The proposed 550-mile multi-use trail spans nine counties and connects over 75 parks, with 415 miles already completed.
- The Department of the Interior must submit its feasibility study to Congress within one year of enactment.
NewsWK — The U.S. Senate passed new legislation to analyze a Major Regional Trail system in northern California. The measure targets a 550-mile recreational network spanning nine Bay Area counties. However, federal officials must first evaluate if the system qualifies for federal scenic designation.
What Is The San Francisco Bay Area Ridge Trail Study?
The San Francisco Bay Area Ridge Trail study requires the Department of the Interior to evaluate designating the route as a National Scenic Trail. The Secretary of the Interior must finish this assessment within one year. Officials will then present their findings directly to Congress. Also, the report requires input from state agencies and Local Trail advocates.
The Existing Nonmotorized Trail connects more than 75 parks and open spaces across the region.
What Does The Feasibility Review Mean For Local Communities?
The feasibility study examines both finished sections and unbuilt gaps along the corridor. Currently, roughly 415 miles of the Planned Trail are completed. Meanwhile, about 140 miles of the total 550-mile network remain uncompleted. Therefore, the Secretary of the Interior will conduct a feasibility study across nine counties.
How Does S 3720 Bay Area Ridge Trail Legislation Advance?
Senator Adam Schiff introduced S. 3720 in January 2026 with co-sponsor Senator Alex Padilla. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources ordered the bill reported in July 2026. Senator Mike Lee reported the bill with an amendment in September 2026. Then, the full Senate passed the Bay Area Ridge Trail National Scenic Trail study bill by unanimous consent on November 10, 2026. Representative Jared Huffman introduced companion legislation H.R. 7254 in the House of Representatives.
Key requirements of the legislation include:
- Consultation with the non-profit Bay Area Ridge Trail Council
- Coordination with federal and state land-management agencies
- Delivery of a completed California National Scenic Trail feasibility study to Congress within one year
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
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