WASHINGTON — Legislation that would expand the Talladega National Forest’s boundary by approximately 50,000 acres was advanced by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
The “Talladega National Forest Expansion Act“ was introduced by U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville in April. It would expand the proclamation boundary of the Talladega National Forest in three counties in East Alabama.
“As Alabama continues to grow, citizens need access to safe and reliable hiking trails and outdoor spaces to encourage wellness and improved health,” said Tuberville (R-Auburn). “I am proud to lead this legislation to promote both tourism and conservation efforts for all Alabamians.”
The bill would give the U.S. Forest Service the authority to purchase land from willing sellers — stimulating the local economies and promoting conservation in the surrounding areas, Tuberville said in a news release. Alabama’s premiere hiking trail, the Pinhoti Trail System, would be greatly enhanced when the land is acquired by the Forest Service.
The Talladega National Forest was established in 1936 with two distinct proclamation boundaries: the Oakmulgee Division and the Talladega Division.
Currently, the Talladega Division has a proclamation covering 400,000 acres with roughly 200,000 acres under ownership by the U.S. government.
Since its establishment, the proclaimed boundary of the Talladega National Forest has been adjusted nine times, most recently in the 1990 Farm Bill.
The Pinhoti Trail, part of the Talladega National Forest, is Alabama’s longest-distance hiking trail. The trail is interrupted by 15 miles of road walks between its southernmost portions.
The legislation would allow those lands to be acquired by the USFS, improve trail maintenance efforts, and improve hiker safety by transforming the 15 miles of road walks into off-road trails.
Tuberville is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.
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