TESTIMONY OF DAVE HICKS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ARIZONA TRAIL
ASSOCIATION

On ***S. 1304 the Arizona National Scenic Trail Act***

Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources- National Parks
Subcommittee

September 11, 2007

Thank you Mr. Chairman and distinguished members

Chairman Akaka and members of the Subcommittee on National Parks of the
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the Arizona Trail is
not a concept. It is no longer an idea or a vision. It is an 800 mile
scenic trail that exists and is 93% complete. I know because I recall
some very sore feet from walking the entire trail a few years ago.

My name is Dave Hicks and I am the Executive Director for the Arizona
Trail Association. I am honored to be here today to offer testimony on
S. 1304 the Arizona National Scenic Trail Act. In July 2006 National
Geographic Traveler Magazine spotlighted three premier long distance
trails: The Appalachian Trail, The Pacific Crest Trail and our Arizona
Trail. The Arizona Trail is the only one featured that is not currently
a National Scenic Trail but we are ready to join the prestigious group
of eight National Scenic Trails which is why we are here today.

**[The Arizona Trail]{.underline}**

Mr. Chairman and members, to my side Ms. Lyn White, Arizona Trail
Association Board member, has a map showing the Arizona Trail.

The Arizona Trail (AZT) is an 807 mile panoramic pathway that weaves its
way across the state of Arizona through some of the state's most
spectacular scenery. As a result of an exemplary public/private
partnership, the 19 years old Arizona Trail is now 93% complete. And the
remaining miles are moving rapidly towards completion. The Arizona Trail
provides recreation opportunities to Arizona's expanding population and
tourists while preserving and respecting the naturally diverse and
beautiful Arizona landscape. From its southern point at the historic
Coronado National Memorial on the Arizona/Mexico border to the
breathtaking panoramic Southwest splendor on the Arizona/Utah boundary,
the Arizona Trail offers an array of scenic, historic and cultural
attractions to thousands of outdoor enthusiasts.

**The Vision:** In 1985 Dale Shewalter, a hiking enthusiast and fifth
grade schoolteacher from Flagstaff, Arizona scouted a long-distance
trail across Arizona. He visualized a path that would pass through
desert and mountain corridors, crossing the entire state of Arizona.
Three years later, the first seven miles of the Arizona Trail were
dedicated and opened to the public. Less than twenty years later, we are
in sight of completing the entire Arizona Trail.

**A Public/Private Partnership:** The Arizona Trail is a model case
study in dedicated citizens working in cooperation with public and
private agencies towards a common community goal. The leadership,
funding, tremendous work effort and service each partner has provided to
build and maintain the AZT is immeasurable. The Arizona Trail is unique
not only as a scenic, long distance trail but also in the make up of its
management. Coordinated by the Arizona Trail Association, federal, state
and local public agencies, private businesses, outdoor clubs, and
individuals work productively together to realize the vision of an
Arizona Trail.

**Individual Volunteers** - Arizona Trail Association volunteer stewards
and trail workers are the backbone for maintaining the AZT. Working with
the land managers, they form the nucleus for maintaining and building
the trail. In calendar year 2006, from a solitary steward hiking into a
remote mountain range to 149 people attending a 2-day work event, 1796
people volunteered over 26,000 hours on behalf of the Arizona Trail.
Those volunteers included 30 clubs and businesses that brought their
members out for one or more work days on the trail. Stewards and
volunteers toil diligently to build new trail and maintain the existing
AZT, and they work closely with land managers to make improvements and
reroutes to sections as well.

**The Arizona Trail is Ready for National Scenic Trail Designation:**
Due to its rapid development resulting from a viable leadership
organization, positive relations with public agencies and strong support
of business and outdoor enthusiasts, the Arizona Trail is feasible and
ready to become a National Scenic Trail. It meets National Scenic Trail
legislative intent by offering:

1.  Panoramic and diverse southwestern scenery;

2.  A popular destination for thousands of people annually in the urban
    areas of the Flagstaff, Tucson, Phoenix Metro and the Grand Canyon
    and Saguaro National Parks while also offering remote solitude in
    places like the Mazatzal Mountains and the Sonoran Desert. The AZT
    offers a wide range of recreation opportunities for hikers,
    equestrians, mountain bikers, trail runners, cross-country skiers,
    birders, photographers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.

3.  Continuous historic sites starting at one of the United States' most
    historic areas where Francisco Vasquez de Coronado entered what is
    now Arizona and the USA in 1540.

4.  A unique opportunity to pass through six of the seven life zones
    identified as being between the Equator and the North Pole but also
    all along the diverse Arizona Trail.

5.  A trail that has proven it is both financially and physically
    feasible. Twenty years ago the Arizona Trail was a vision. Today at
    93% complete and with plans and actions underway for the remaining
    miles, the Arizona Trail is a reality.

6.  A trail that is 99% on public land. Fortunately for the Arizona
    Trail, acquisition of private property is not a concern.

Before closing, I would like to express gratitude to Senators John
McCain and Jon Kyl who have provided tremendous long-time support for
the Arizona Trail and who have brought the Arizona National Scenic Trail
Act forward today.

Finally, Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, the western half
of the United States currently has only two of the eight National Scenic
Trails. The Arizona Trail is ready to become the third in the West. Our
research shows that there has not been a NST designation since 1983,
over 24 years ago. Your support for the passage of the *S. 1304 Arizona
National Scenic Trail Act* is requested and appreciated.

With that, I would be pleased to answer questions.