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Why the Need for a Trails Study?
In recognition of the growing demand countrywide for increased outdoor recreation opportunities, the Congress of the United States in 1968 passed Public Law 90-543, the National Trails System Act.
The purpose of the Act was threefold:	(1) to institute a national
system of scenic and recreation trails which would provide many of the recreation opportunities in greatest demand and a means of protection for the areas through which these trails pass; (2) to designate the Applachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail as the initial components of the system; and (3) provide the guidelines by which additional components may be added to the system. Nationwide surveys conducted in 1960 and again in 1972 showed that an overwhelming majority of Americans preferred simple recreation activities such as walking for pleasure, picnicking, sightseeing, driving for pleasure, and swimming. Recreation trails offer a low cost and energy conserving means of satisfying some of America's top recreation needs.
The U.S. Department of the Interior was charged by Public Law 90-543, as amended, with the responsibility for studying the Bartram Trail area, one of 22 potential scenic trails in the country having possible national significance. That responsibility has been delegated to the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. Scenic trails are defined in the Act, in part, as:
"extended trails so located as to provide for maximum outdoor recreation potential and for the conservation and enjoyment of nationally significant scenic, historic, natural or cultural qualities of the area through which such trails may pass."
General Criteria for a National Scenic Trail
To qualify for designation as a national scenic trail, a trail should meet at least minimum criteria such as the following:
1.	Provide maximum outdoor recreation potential.
2.	Possess significant scenic,	historic, natural or cultural
qualities and contain a minimum of activities that could detract from the scenic value (i.e., highways, power transmission lines, industrial developments, etc.)
3.	Allow for adequate public access by way of connecting or side trails.
4.	Be primarily land based.
5.	Be several hundred miles or	more in length.