Old West Trails Act of 1991: Cattle Drive and Overland Stage Trails

Old West Trails Act of 1991: Cattle Drive and Overland Stage Trails - Amends the National Trails System Act to designate the following cattle trails and overland stage trails in the Old West for study for potential addition to the National Trails System: (1) the Chisholm Cattle Drive Trail; (2) the Ellsworth Cattle Drive Trail; (3) the Dodge City or Western Cattle Drive Trail; and (4) the Smokey Hill/David Butterfield Overland Dispatch Stage Trail.

Requires such study to be completed and reported to the Congress within one year after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.

 
S 1115 IS
102d CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1115
To amend the National Trails System Act to designate certain cattle trails
and overland stage trails for study for potential addition to the National
Trails System.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
MAY 21 (legislative day, APRIL 25), 1991
Mrs KASSEBAUM (for herself, Mr. DOLE, and Mr. BOREN)  introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
A BILL
To amend the National Trails System Act to designate certain cattle trails
and overland stage trails for study for potential addition to the National
Trails System.
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
  States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  This Act may be cited as the `Old West Trails Act of 1991: Cattle Drive
  and Overland Stage Trails'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  Congress finds that--
  (1)(A) the historic cattle drive and overland stage trails of the Old West
  significantly contributed to the development of the American Frontier,
  including the facilitation of interstate commerce and the establishment
  of frontier communities;
  (B) these trails and their colorful, as well as turbulent, histories have
  been made famous by songs, folklore, stories, movies, and long-standing
  television shows giving them national as well as international recognition;
  (C) many interstate highways follow or parallel these historic Old West
  trails;
  (2) the designation of these famous Old West trails will appropriately
  recognize their rich contributions to our frontier past; and
  (3) development of a designated route on public roads near the trails
  will permit American motorists better access and a more comprehensive
  understanding of their frontier heritage.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF TRAIL FOR STUDY.
  Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(c)) is
  amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
  `(34)(A)(i) The Chisholm Cattle Drive Trail, beginning in Texas and running
  through Oklahoma and ending, respectively, in Abilene, Newton, Wichita,
  and Caldwell, Kansas.
  `(ii) The Ellsworth Cattle Drive Trail, beginning in Texas and running
  through Oklahoma; Kingman, Kansas; Ellingwood, Kansas; and ending in
  Ellsworth, Kansas.
  `(iii) The Dodge City or Western Cattle Drive Trail, beginning in Texas
  and running through Oklahoma; Dodge City, Kansas; and ending in Nebraska.
  `(iv) the Smoky Hill/David Butterfield Overland Dispatch Stage Trail
  beginning in Atchison and Leavenworth, Kansas, and ending in Denver,
  Colorado.
  `(B) In conducting the study under this paragraph, the Secretary shall--
  `(i) make recommendations for the integration of the individual historic
  sites, and other sites of interest along the respective Old West trails
  into a comprehensive presentation of the trail to the visitors;
  `(ii) in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation, determine the
  feasibility of designating an historic route on existing public roads that
  parallel the respective Old West trails;
  `(iii) recommend an appropriate designation for the Old West trails and
  appropriate markers along the public routes to indicate the presence and
  significance of the trails and of the historic sites along the trails;
  `(iv) consider feasibility of establishing collective tours which may
  encompass common themes and link appropriate sites; and
  `(v) such other information as the Secretary may deem necessary.
  `(C) Notwithstanding subsection (b), the study shall be completed and
  submitted to Congress not later than one year after the date of enactment
  of this paragraph.'.
SEC. 4. APPROPRIATION AUTHORIZATION.
  There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to
  carry out the provisions of this Act.