WASHINGTON – A pair of Alabama lawmakers want to expand the boundaries of the Talladega National Forest by 50,000 acres with new legislation.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, introduced the Talladega National Forest Expansion Act, which gives the U.S. Forest Service the ability to buy land from willing sellers to expand the proclamation boundary of the forest in east Alabama.
“By expanding the proclamation boundary, we will boost tourism in surrounding towns and keep the forest beautiful for years to come,” Tuberville said in a statement. “I’m thankful to be working with Rep. Rogers to expand the forest’s boundaries and ensure continued economic and agricultural prosperity in our great state.”
The legislation would support the completion of the state’s longest hiking trail, the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail. Currently, hikers on the trail endure 15 miles of roadwalks to complete the trail along its southernmost portions. By expanding the boundary, those 15 miles become off-road trails.
“The proposed expansion to complete the southern portion of the Pinhoti Trail will provide a large boost to our local outdoor tourism industry,” Rogers said in a statement. “I was glad to work closely with our local leaders on this legislation and am hopeful to see an undivided Pinhoti Trail in the near future.”
The national forest was established in 1936, and its boundary has been adjusted nine times, including most recently in the 1990 Farm Bill, according to Tuberville’s office.
Alabama Trails Foundation President Paul DeMarco said the organization supports the legislation and will boost conservation and recreation.
“It lays the foundation for making the Pinhoti Trail an even more popular destination and positions east Alabama to continue growing an outdoor recreation economy into a powerhouse that spotlights the importance of Alabama’s natural resources, ” DeMarco said in a statement.
The Talladega, Coosa and Clay county commissions also endorsed the bill.