STATEMENT OF KAREN TAYLOR-GOODRICH, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, VISITOR AND RESOURCE PROTECTION, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, CONCERNING S. 2255, TO AMEND THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM ACT TO PROVIDE FOR STUDIES OF THE CHISHOLM AND GREAT WESTERN TRAIL TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO ADD THE TRAILS TO THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 

JUNE 17, 2008

Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to present the Department of the Interior’s views on S. 2255, a bill to amend the National Trails System Act to provide for studies of the Chisholm Trail and Great Western Trail to determine whether to add the trails to the National Trails System, and for other purposes.   

The Department supports S. 2255 with an amendment.  However, we feel that priority should be given to the 38 previously authorized studies for potential units of the National Park System, potential new National Heritage Areas, and potential additions to the National Trails System and National Wild and Scenic River System that have not yet been transmitted to the Congress.  We estimate the cost of this study to be approximately $250,000 to $300,000.

S. 2255 would amend Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act by directing the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to conduct studies of the Chisholm Trail and the Great Western Trail for consideration of both trails for inclusion in the National Trails System. As a part of the study, the Secretary shall identify the point at which both the Chisholm and Great Western Trails originated south of San Antonio Texas.  The bill also states that land for the trails may not be acquired outside the boundaries of any federally administered area without the consent of the owner. 

A network of scenic and historic trails has been created since the enactment of the National Trails System Act in 1968.  These trails provide for outdoor recreation needs and the enjoyment and appreciation of historic resources, which in turn, promotes good health and well-being.  They traverse resources that connect us to history and provide an important opportunity for local communities to become involved in a national effort by encouraging public access and citizen involvement.  The importance of trails to Americans is evident, as was witnessed in the recent celebration of National Trails Day. 

During the cattle drive era, in the decades following the Civil War, it is estimated that approximately ten million Longhorn cattle were driven out of Texas to railheads in Missouri and Kansas.  Two of the largest trails that were used were the Chisholm Trail and the Great Western Trail. 

The route of earlier trails that went from Texas to Missouri was found to be undesirable due to heavily forested territory that the trails passed through and the presence of bandits, mob violence, and lawlessness.

In 1867, Joseph McCoy convinced railroad executives to extend the rail line to the eastern prairies of Kansas.  Stockyards were completed at what was then a small town called Abilene.  The trail with its feeder trails that led to Abilene became known as the Chisholm Trail and in 1871 more than 1.4 million cattle had been herded along this trail.

As the railroads continued to press on across Kansas, the terminus of the cattle trails also moved west.  Due to the panic of 1873, construction stopped for three years at Dodge City, Kansas.  In 1876, a new cattle trail was blazed to Dodge City that became known as the Great Western Trail.  This trail was twenty to thirty days shorter than the Chisholm Trail and contained ample water and grass.  While the two trails were in use, four million cattle were driven from Texas to Abilene along the Chisholm Trail and five million to Dodge City along the Great Western Trail.

In 1975, the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation completed a study entitled “Old Cattle Trails of the Southwest, a National Scenic Trail Study.”  In that study, several trails were examined, including the Chisholm and Great Western Trails.  The study determined that the two trails did not meet the criteria for establishment as National Scenic Trails.  However, the study recommended that the trails should be reassessed as possible National Historic Trails.

The Department recommends that Section 3 of the bill be deleted.  Since this legislation only authorizes a study of the potential national historic trails, there is no possibility of land acquisition while the study is being completed.

Mr. Chairman, this concludes my prepared remarks.  I would be pleased to answer any questions you or other members of the subcommittee might have.