Sen. Hutchison Protects Chisholm and Great Western Trails

WASHINGTON – Texas’ senior Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) today introduced S. 2255 legislation requiring the federal government to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of adding the Chisholm and Great Western trails to the National Trails System. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) are original cosponsors of the bill.

“The Chisholm and Great Western Trails are an important part of Texas’ history and America’s story” Sen. Hutchison said. “These trails helped develop Texas’ economy and establish its livestock industry. They must be preserved for future generations to understand how Texas and neighboring states grew in to what they are today.”

According to the National Park Service the National Trails System is a network of scenic historic and recreation trails created by the National Trails System Act of 1968. These trails provide for outdoor recreation needs promote the enjoyment appreciation and preservation of open-air outdoor areas and historic resources and encourage public access and citizen involvement.

Sen. Hutchison’s legislation requires the U.S. Department of Interior to study adding the Chisholm Trail segments from near San Antonio near Cuero TX to Fort Worth TX and Duncan OK and alternate segments used through Oklahoma to Enid OK Caldwell KS Wichita KS and Abilene KS and commonly used segments running to alternate destinations in Kansas to the National Trails System.

The bill also requires a study on adding the Great Western Trail from the vicinity of San Antonio north-by-northwest through near Kerrville and Menard TX north-by-northeast through the area near Coleman and Albany TX north through the area of Vernon TX to Doan’s Crossing TX northward through or near the vicinities of Altus Lone Wolf Canute Vici and May OK and north through Nebraska to Ogallala. The Department of Interior will also have to identify the point at which the Great Western Trail originated south of San Antonio.