Besides offering a competitive economic benefit from increased worldwide recognition, National Scenic Trails receive federal funding for maintenance and administration.
There are more than 4 million acres of land open to the public for recreation. These lands are managed by different federal and state agencies, as well as municipal entities.
A long stretch of the Seward-Fairbanks route would fall in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, where a proposed Assembly resolution opposes National Scenic Trail designation.