Creating a 190-mile hiking path from northern Massachusetts to Long Island Sound off Connecticut is a step closer to realization after the U.S. House OK’d a plan to unite the states’ trails as the New England National Scenic Trail under the National Park Service.

The bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Amherst, and cosponsored by congressmen in districts which include the trail, would unite the Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett Trail System. From the north end of the system in Royalston, the system passes through Worcester — with 30 miles of additional trails through 39 Massachusetts communities — then across Connecticut to the sound.

We agree with Mr. Olver that the expanded trail system creates a “unique recreational opportunity within urban areas.” Indeed, more than 2 million people in the two states live less than 10 miles from the trails.

Getting the bill to the House floor took years of study, public input and negotiations with landowners. The park service needs landowners’ permission to include their land in the trail system and some owners were concerned about problems in the future.

Efforts are being made to reroute the trails around land that owners want to maintain as private. The bill properly states in explicit terms that land cannot be taken without the owners’ consent.

Once law, the bill would recognize and protect open space and make it eligible for future financial aid and other services. U.S. Sens. Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry of Massachusetts and Christopher J. Dodd and Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut should get behind this worthy project.