119-S-1135 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary — S. 1135: Bonneville Shoreline Trail Feasibility Study

Headline Summary: A bipartisan-leaning Utah proposal would order a federal study on making the Bonneville Shoreline Trail part of the National Trails System; it’s a first step, not a final designation. [1]Congress.gov / Library of Congress — Text - S.1135 (119th Congress) — Congress.…[2]U.S. National Park Service — How a National Trail is Established — National Par…

What It Does: The bill adds the Bonneville Shoreline Trail—an approximately 280‑mile route from the Idaho–Utah border to Nephi that follows the ancient Lake Bonneville shoreline—to the list of places the Interior Department must study for possible national trail status. A feasibility study evaluates things like the route’s significance, access, and management; Congress would still need to pass another law later to officially designate the trail. In short: this authorizes a study, not a new trail rule. [1]Congress.gov / Library of Congress — Text - S.1135 (119th Congress) — Congress.…[2]U.S. National Park Service — How a National Trail is Established — National Par…

• Utah sponsors: Sen. John R. Curtis introduced the bill with Sen. Mike Lee as the cosponsor. [1]Congress.gov / Library of Congress — Text - S.1135 (119th Congress) — Congress.…
• Local outdoor groups backing the effort include the Trust for Public Land, the Bonneville Shoreline Trail Committee, and Trails Utah, who frame the study as a step toward long‑term access and protection. [3]U.S. Senate — Curtis, Lee Introduce Bill to Advance Bonneville Shoreline Trail…
• Supporters say the trail links communities along the Wasatch Front and could unlock federal resources for planning and maintenance. [3]U.S. Senate — Curtis, Lee Introduce Bill to Advance Bonneville Shoreline Trail…

Who’s For It:

• No organized opposition has been widely reported so far; at this stage, it’s only a study. That said, debates around national trail proposals often raise private‑property and management‑cost concerns. The National Park Service notes that studies and designations do not force access on unwilling private landowners. [2]U.S. National Park Service — How a National Trail is Established — National Par…[4]Web search · turn 1 #5
• Trail users and local governments are focused on closing gaps and improving access along the corridor, which could surface routing or land‑use trade‑offs as details are studied. [5]Bonneville Shoreline Trail Committee — Bonneville Shoreline Trail official site

Who’s Against It:

What’s Next: The bill was read twice and sent to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on March 26, 2025; the Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing on December 9, 2025. Next would be a committee markup and possible Senate vote. A related House bill (H.R. 3451) was introduced and referred to the House Natural Resources Committee. [6]Congress.gov / Library of Congress — All Information (Except Text) for S.1135 —…[7]U.S. Senate — National Park Subcommittee to Receive Testimony on Pending Legisl…[8]Congress.gov / Library of Congress — H.R. 3451 (119th Congress) — Congress.gov