41-511.15. Arizona trail; fund; definition

A. The Arizona trail is designated as a state scenic trail to memorialize former United States congressman Bob Stump for his significant contributions to the trails and people of this state.

B. The Arizona state parks board shall:

1. Participate in planning, establishing, developing, maintaining and preserving the trail.

2. Provide information to any person involved in planning, establishing, developing or maintaining the trail regarding the design, corridors, signs, interpretive markers highlighting special areas and historic uses and any other aspect of the trail to promote uniformity of development, maintenance and preservation.

3. Encourage counties, cities and towns to adapt their general and comprehensive plans to preserve the trail right-of-way and to acquire property or legal interests in property to ensure the trail's continued existence in a permanent location.

4. In cooperation with federal and state land management agencies, prepare a trail management plan and a plan for interpretive markers for the trail.

5. Coordinate the board's trail plan with federal, state and local activities and land uses that may affect the trail and with private nonprofit support organizations to assist in planning, developing, promoting and preserving the trail.

6. Accept gifts and grants of private and public monies for the purposes of this section. Monies received pursuant to this paragraph shall be deposited in the Arizona trail fund.

C. The trail shall be planned and designed for all nonmotorized recreational uses, including hiking, biking, horseback and pack stock use, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and camping.

D. An agency of this state or of a county, city or town may not refuse to permit construction of the trail on property or rights-of-way owned or managed by the agency if the trail does not conflict with existing or proposed uses of the property. Each such agency shall:

1. Support the construction of the trail in the agency's long-term plans for its property.

2. Support the designation of the trail as a part of the national trail system.

3. Accommodate facilities for the safe trail crossing of highway rights-of-way.

4. Not infringe on existing land uses, such as cattle grazing or mineral development, that are near to or adjoin the trail. This paragraph does not authorize any person using public lands under a permit or lease to interfere with the use, maintenance or operation of the Arizona trail.

E. The Arizona trail fund is established consisting of legislative appropriations and donations to the fund. The Arizona state parks board shall administer the fund. The monies in the fund are continuously appropriated for the sole purpose of maintaining and preserving the Arizona trail.

F. For the purposes of this section, " Arizona trail" means a state scenic trail that extends approximately eight hundred miles between the southern border and the northern border of this state.