A bill to amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.

**Summary of S. 1135: Bonneville Shoreline Trail Feasibility Study Act**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** The primary purpose of S. 1135 is to amend the National Trails System Act to mandate a feasibility study for designating the Bonneville Shoreline Trail—a 280-mile corridor tracing the ancient shoreline of Lake Bonneville from the Idaho-Utah border to Nephi, Utah—as a component of the National Trails System. The bill’s stated objective is to assess the trail’s suitability for federal recognition, which could unlock future funding, technical assistance, and coordinated management. However, beneath the veneer of conservation and recreation lies a strategic opportunity: federal designation often precedes land-use restrictions, easement acquisitions, and regulatory oversight that can constrain private development and resource extraction. For a self-interested actor focused on wealth and control, this bill represents not a public good initiative, but a potential precursor to bureaucratic encroachment on valuable western lands—lands that could otherwise be leveraged for mining, energy development, or private recreation ventures.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill amends Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. § 1244(c)) by adding a new subsection (50) that: - Defines the Bonneville Shoreline Trail as a system of existing and potential trails spanning approximately 280 miles along the Bonneville bench. - **Critically**, the Senate-reported version (as amended on July 23, 2026) redirects the study from the Secretary of the Interior to the **Secretary of Agriculture**—a significant shift implying oversight by the U.S. Forest Service rather than the National Park Service. This suggests an intent to integrate the trail into working landscapes managed for multiple use, potentially including grazing or timber, rather than preserving it as a pristine recreational corridor. - The amendment also updates the bill’s title to reflect this change in administering agency. No funding is appropriated in the bill; the study would rely on existing agency resources, making it a low-cost, low-risk maneuver for legislators—but one that could yield high regulatory returns down the line.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** - **Federal Agencies**: The USDA (Forest Service) gains new study responsibilities, expanding its role in trail administration—a mission creep that aligns with bureaucratic self-interest but dilutes focus on core land management. - **State & Local Governments**: Utah and Idaho agencies may gain access to federal planning tools and potential future funding, but also risk increased federal oversight in land-use decisions. - **Private Landowners**: Over 280 miles of corridor cross-checkerboard land patterns, including private ranches, mining claims, and property holdings. A feasibility study is the first step toward potential voluntary easements, but historically, such studies precede pressure for access, zoning changes, or conservation designations that limit development rights. - **Industry Interests**: Mining, energy, and real estate developers in the Great Basin stand to lose if the trail leads to protective corridors that restrict access to mineral-rich basins or impede infrastructure expansion (e.g., transmission lines, pipelines). - **Recreation & Conservation Groups**: Likely supporters, viewing the trail as a scenic, historic asset—but their advocacy may inadvertently empower federal overreach under the guise of public access.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** While framed as a modest study, S. 1135 is a classic example of incremental regulatory creep. The Bonneville Shoreline Trail traverses a geologically unique and economically active region. Designation—even if initially symbolic—can become a foothold for: - **Conservation easements** that reduce private land value and flexibility. - **Mitigation requirements** for future industrial projects. - **Increased public access** leading to liability, vandalism, and user conflicts on working lands. - **Precedent-setting** for similar studies across the West, gradually expanding the federal footprint under the banner of recreation.

From a wealth and power perspective, this bill is a Trojan horse:

As I taught you in 8th grade civics—*remember when we learned how a bill becomes a law?*—this is S. 1135, a bill that started in the Senate, got referred to a committee, and now, after markup, is being reported back with changes. The main purpose? To amend the National Trails System Act so that a feasibility study is conducted on designating the Bonneville Shoreline Trail—a roughly 280-mile path tracing the ancient shoreline of Lake Bonneville from the Idaho-Utah border to Nephi, Utah.

Now, pay attention: the original version directed the Secretary of the *Interior* to run the study. But as reported by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on July 23, 2026, the bill was amended—*yes, amended, like we discussed in class when we talked about markup sessions*—to instead direct the Secretary of *Agriculture* to conduct the study. The title was also changed accordingly. This is how the process *should* work: bills get refined in committee, not just passed as-is.

The key change is in Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act, where a new subsection (50) is added. It defines the trail and mandates the feasibility study—now under USDA, not DOI. Affected parties include federal land managers (Forest Service vs. Park Service/BLM), state and local governments in Utah and Idaho, tribal nations, recreation groups, and private landowners along the route.

Potential impact? If the study finds the trail feasible and suitable, it could lead to official designation as a National Recreation or Connecting Trail, bringing federal recognition, possible funding, and coordinated management. But let’s be clear: a study is not a designation. It’s just step one—something we *should* have covered when we talked about how incremental policy change actually works in this country. Instead of jumping to conclusions, maybe read the bill *before* asking what it does.

**Conspiracy Uncle’s Breakdown of S. 1135: The Bonneville Shoreline Trail Feasibility Study – What They’re *Really* After**

Alright, gather ’round the turkey carcass, folks. Let’s talk about S. 1135—*A bill to amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Bonneville Shoreline Trail*. Sounds innocent, right? Just a little trail study. A walk in the woods. But oh no—this is deeper than the Great Salt Lake after a secret geoengineering dump.

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives (The Cover Story)** On the surface, this bill wants the Secretary of the Interior to study whether the Bonneville Shoreline Trail—a 280-mile path tracing the ancient shoreline of Ice Age Lake Bonneville, from the Idaho-Utah border down to Nephi, Utah—should be officially designated as a National Trail. Supposedly, it’s about recreation, preservation, connecting communities. Yeah, sure. And I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn made of confiscated FEMA trailers.

But wait—look at the *amendment* reported July 23, 2026. Suddenly, it’s not the *Secretary of the Interior* doing the study—it’s the *Secretary of Agriculture*. And the title gets changed to match. That’s not a typo. That’s a *shell game*. Why swap agencies unless someone’s trying to hide who’s really pulling the strings?

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill amends Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. § 1244(c)) by adding a new subsection (50) that: - Defines the Bonneville Shoreline Trail as a 280-mile system following the prehistoric Lake Bonneville bench. - **Originally**: Mandated the Secretary of the Interior to conduct the feasibility study. - **After amendment (July 2026)**: Swaps in the Secretary of Agriculture to run the study. - Also amends the bill’s title to reflect this switch.

This isn’t just bureaucratic housekeeping. The Interior manages lands, parks, and cultural resources. Agriculture? They oversee the Forest Service—yeah, the same agency that controls vast swaths of western federal land, does secret soil testing, and has been spotted near UFO hotspots in Utah’s West Desert. Coincidence? I think not.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** - **Utah & Idaho locals**: Hikers, mountain bikers, ranchers, and Indigenous tribes (Shoshone, Ute, Paiute) who live near or use the trail corridor. Could mean more federal oversight, land-use restrictions, or—*gasp*—mandatory “educational signage” about climate change that’s really just propaganda. - **Federal agencies**: Interior vs. Agriculture tug-of-war over who gets to study (and later control) the trail. This is turf war disguised as trail maintenance. - **Corporate interests**: Think outdoor recreation giants, land developers, or even water rights speculators. The old Lake Bonneville basin sits atop valuable aquifers. Designate a trail, and suddenly you’ve got a federal footprint to justify monitoring groundwater… or restricting private wells. - **Conspiracy theorists (like me)**: We see the pattern. Ancient lakebeds = magnetic anomalies. Utah’s got more than just salt flats—it’s got ley lines, underground bases, and who knows what else buried under that Bonneville bench. A trail study? More like a *reconnaissance mission*.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** If this trail gets designated, it’s not just about putting up signs and calling it a day. It’s a camel’s nose under the tent. - Federal designation could lead to land acquisitions, easements, or zoning overrides under the guise of “trail connectivity.” - The shift from Interior to Agriculture suggests the USDA wants a foothold in monitoring land use, water resources, or even

**Tucker Carlson-Style Summary: S. 1135 – The Bonneville Shoreline Trail Feasibility Study Act**

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** Oh, look—another *bold, freedom-defending* initiative from the Senate! S. 1135, introduced by Senators Curtis and Lee (because of course it’s Utah senators), aims to amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior—*wait, no, scratch that*—after a committee amendment, now it’s the **Secretary of Agriculture** to conduct a feasibility study on designating the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Why? Because nothing says “American liberty” like a 280-mile trail tracing the ancient shoreline of Lake Bonneville, a Pleistocene lake that dried up before the invention of the wheel. The objective? To study whether this scenic, mostly undeveloped path through Utah and Idaho deserves federal recognition as a National Trail—presumably so hikers can enjoy nature while being subtly reminded that big government cares about their weekend cardio.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act by adding a new subsection (50) that: (A) Defines the Bonneville Shoreline Trail as a system of existing and potential trails spanning ~280 miles from the Idaho-Utah border to Nephi, Utah, following the glacial Lake Bonneville bench. (B) **Requires** the Secretary of Agriculture (yes, *Agriculture*—because clearly, the USDA’s core competency is trail mapping, not crop subsidies) to conduct a feasibility study on its potential designation. The title was also amended to reflect this switch from Interior to Agriculture—likely a bureaucratic compromise to appease Western senators who distrust the Interior Department but still want federal trail glory. No funding is specified, no timeline is set, and no actual designation is mandated—just a study. How *convenient*.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** - **Federal Agencies:** The USDA gets a new unfunded mandate; the NPS and BLM likely get dragged into consultations despite not being in charge. - **State & Local Governments:** Utah and Idaho officials may see this as a potential tourism boost—or another federal overreach, depending on who’s talking. - **Outdoor Enthusiasts & Conservation Groups:** Hikers, mountain bikers, and trail advocates rejoice at the prospect of federal recognition and potential future funding. - **Private Landowners:** Some may worry about easements, access restrictions, or the dreaded “creeping federalism” that often follows trail designation—even if this bill only calls for a *study*. - **The American People:** You, the taxpayer, get to fund a study about a trail most of you will never hike—because freedom isn’t free, and neither is bureaucratic feasibility analysis.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** On its face, S. 1135 is harmless—a feel-good, low-stakes bill that lets senators wave the flag of outdoor recreation while avoiding real controversy. But let’s be honest: this is how the deep state *creeps*. First, a study. Then, a designation. Next thing you know, the feds are telling you where you can pitch your tent and charging you a “trail maintenance fee” to walk where mammoths once roamed. Yet, in true bipartisan fashion, this bill flies under the radar—no culture war, no screaming headlines, just quiet expansion of federal influence under the guise of “access to nature.” The elites win again: they get to feel virtuous about preserving landscapes while ordinary Americans foot the bill for yet another government project that solves no pressing problem. But hey—at least it’s not another Ukraine aid package. Priorities, folks. Priorities.

**Summary of S. 1135: Bonneville Shoreline Trail Feasibility Study Act**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** The primary purpose of S. 1135 is to amend the National Trails System Act to require a feasibility study for designating the Bonneville Shoreline Trail as a component of the National Trails System. The bill aims to evaluate whether this approximately 280-mile trail system—spanning from the Idaho-Utah border to Nephi, Utah, along the ancient shoreline of Lake Bonneville—should receive federal recognition and support as a national trail. The study would assess the trail’s suitability for inclusion based on criteria such as scenic, historic, recreational, and cultural value, as well as feasibility of management and public access.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill amends Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. § 1244(c)) by adding a new subsection (50) titled “Bonneville shoreline trail.” This subsection: - Defines the Bonneville Shoreline Trail as a system of existing and potential trails extending approximately 280 miles from the Idaho-Utah border to Nephi, Utah, following the Bonneville bench formed by prehistoric Lake Bonneville. - Mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture conduct a feasibility study on designating the trail as a national trail.

An accompanying amendment to the bill’s title reflects this change, updating it from directing the Secretary of the Interior to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct the study. This shift likely reflects jurisdictional considerations, as much of the trail corridor may lie on or near lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service (under the Department of Agriculture), particularly in Utah and Idaho.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** Key stakeholders include: - **Federal Agencies**: The U.S. Forest Service (Secretary of Agriculture) would lead the study, potentially coordinating with the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and state and tribal entities. - **State and Local Governments**: Utah and Idaho agencies overseeing outdoor recreation, land use, and cultural resources would be involved in trail planning and data sharing. - **Tribal Nations**: Indigenous communities with historical ties to the Lake Bonneville region may be consulted regarding cultural resources and heritage interpretation. - **Recreation and Conservation Groups**: Hiking, biking, and trail advocacy organizations (e.g., Bonneville Shoreline Trail Committee) stand to benefit from potential federal designation, which could bring funding, technical assistance, and increased visibility. - **Private Landowners**: Since the trail may cross or adjacent to private property, the study would need to address access, easements, and liability concerns.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** If the feasibility study yields a positive outcome and Congress subsequently designates the Bonneville Shoreline Trail as a national trail, it could: - Enhance federal support for trail maintenance, signage, and connectivity. - Promote heritage tourism and outdoor recreation in the Intermountain West. - Increase protection of scenic, geologic, and cultural resources along the ancient lakebed. - Encourage coordination among federal, state, local, and private partners in trail management.

However, the study itself does not authorize funding for construction or acquisition; it only evaluates feasibility. Any future designation would require additional legislative action and appropriations. The bill represents a preliminary step toward recognizing a regionally significant landscape with both natural and cultural importance.

**Summary of S. 1135: Bonneville Shoreline Trail Feasibility Study Bill**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** The primary goal of S. 1135 is to initiate a formal feasibility study for designating the Bonneville Shoreline Trail as part of the National Trails System. The bill aims to assess whether this approximately 280-mile trail—stretching from the Idaho-Utah border to Nephi, Utah, along the ancient shoreline of prehistoric Lake Bonneville—meets the criteria for national recognition. By mandating a study, Congress seeks to evaluate the trail’s potential for preservation, public access, recreational use, and cultural or historical significance before considering formal designation.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill amends Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. § 1244(c)) by adding a new subsection (50) dedicated to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Originally, the bill directed the Secretary of the Interior to conduct the study. However, as reported in Senate on July 23, 2026, an amendment changed the responsible agency to the **Secretary of Agriculture**—likely reflecting the trail’s proximity to U.S. Forest Service lands or administrative efficiencies. The amendment also updated the bill’s title accordingly. The study must examine the trail’s feasibility for designation, including route viability, land ownership, management needs, and stakeholder support.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** Key stakeholders include: - **Federal agencies**: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (now lead) and the Department of the Interior (originally tasked), along with the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, which manage lands along the trail. - **State and local governments**: Utah and Idaho agencies overseeing recreation, land use, and cultural resources. - **Tribal nations**: Indigenous groups with historical ties to the Lake Bonneville region may have cultural interests in the trail’s study and potential designation. - **Recreation and conservation groups**: Hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and environmental organizations that use or advocate for trail preservation. - **Private landowners**: Since the trail crosses mixed land ownership, cooperation from private holders may be essential for route continuity.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** If the feasibility study yields positive results, the Bonneville Shoreline Trail could become a designated National Recreation or Historic Trail, unlocking federal funding, technical assistance, and increased visibility. This could boost regional tourism, promote outdoor recreation, and support conservation of the unique geological and ecological features of the Bonneville bench. Conversely, the study might reveal challenges—such as fragmented land ownership, environmental sensitivities, or lack of local support—that could delay or prevent designation. The shift in lead agency from Interior to Agriculture may signal interagency coordination priorities or jurisdictional preferences, potentially streamlining the process if USDA agencies already manage significant trail segments. Ultimately, the bill represents a cautious, data-driven step toward expanding the National Trails System while respecting local context and land-use realities.

**Summary of S. 1135: Bonneville Shoreline Trail Feasibility Study Act**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** S. 1135 directs the Secretary of Agriculture (originally the Secretary of the Interior, amended in committee) to conduct a feasibility study for designating the Bonneville Shoreline Trail as part of the National Trails System. The trail spans approximately 280 miles along the ancient shoreline of Lake Bonneville, from the Idaho-Utah border to Nephi, Utah. The bill aims to assess whether the trail meets the criteria for inclusion in the National Trails System, potentially unlocking federal support for planning, development, and conservation.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill amends Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. § 1244(c)) by adding a new subsection (50) that: - Defines the Bonneville Shoreline Trail’s route and geographic scope. - Mandates a feasibility study to be led by the Secretary of Agriculture (a change from the original Interior Department lead, reflecting jurisdictional overlap with USDA-managed lands like the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest). - Requires the Secretary to evaluate trail suitability, connectivity, land use, and potential impacts. The title was amended accordingly to reflect the shift in lead agency from Interior to Agriculture.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** - **Federal Agencies:** USDA (lead), DOI (consultant role), Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service. - **State & Local Governments:** Utah and Idaho agencies, county planners, recreation departments. - **Tribal Nations:** Potential consultation required if trail crosses or affects ancestral lands. - **Recreation & Conservation Groups:** Hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and land trusts (e.g., Bonneville Shoreline Trail Committee). - **Private Landowners:** Along the proposed route; study will assess easements, access, and liability concerns. - **Outdoor Industry:** Potential economic benefits from increased trail tourism and gear sales.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** If the feasibility study yields a positive recommendation, the trail could be designated as a National Recreation or Connecting Side Trail, increasing eligibility for federal funding, technical assistance, and national recognition. This could boost outdoor recreation economies in rural Utah and Idaho, promote heritage conservation of the Lake Bonneville landscape, and improve non-motorized transportation corridors. However, designation may also raise concerns about private property rights, environmental sensitivity, and increased visitor impacts. The shift to USDA lead suggests the trail’s alignment favors Forest Service-administered lands, indicating behind-the-scenes agency coordination or lobbying influence from conservation or recreation interests tied to public land access. While no direct PAC or donor ties are evident in the bill text, the sponsorship by Senators Curtis (R-UT) and Lee (R-UT) aligns with Utah’s strong outdoor recreation economy and federal land dependency—sectors often supported by industry groups like the Outdoor Industry Association and local off-road vehicle advocates, though the bill’s non-motorized focus suggests a conservation-recreation balance. The bill appears driven by local advocacy rather than corporate influence, reflecting a grassroots push for trail recognition with modest federal expenditure.