Region Manages Scenic Byways Resource Center

Created by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, the National Scenic Byways Program provides technical and financial assistance as well as national recognition of roads that represent outstanding examples of scenic, historic, cultural, recreational and natural qualities. Administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the program is voluntary and encompasses any public road or highway. The entire program is designed to be a bottom-up experience that places importance on local involvement.

Resource Center

Table Rock Mountain along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway

Created in 1998 by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, the National Scenic Byways Resource Center provides training, research, resources and limited planning assistance to people and organizations interested in nationally designated scenic byways. It is a joint venture of the Arrowhead Regional Development Center (ARDC), an Economic Development Administration (EDA) funded district in Duluth, Minnesota and the FHWA.

ARDC first proposed the idea for the center after working to develop a regional scenic byways plan in 1995. They knew there was a need for a national resource center offering support and guidance to nationally designated scenic byways and to assist local groups with their byway efforts. ARDC believed that a regional planning organization, more in touch with community needs, could provide the best service.

According to Gary Tonkin, Director of the National Scenic Byways Resource Center (NSBRC), there is an opportunity for regional organizations to participate in the program. Tonkin explains that “scenic byways are generally located in rural areas and travel through small communities that do not often have the resources to plan for and implement projects.”

The byways are managed through local byway organizations that range from well-established nonprofits to informal groups of communities and volunteers. Tonkin says that “regional planning and development organizations are ideal entities to bring communities together along byway corridors, as well as provide professional and technical assistance.”

The center’s three principle goals are tapping and focusing enthusiasm and energy; providing scenic byways groups and state byways coordinators the tools to help them succeed; and providing opportunities for interested groups, professionals and local officials to connect with each other and the resources they need. To accomplish this, the NSBRC has created the National Scenic Byways Online website (www.byways.org), holds semi-annual conferences, publishes a monthly byways newsletter, hosts monthly conference calls and provides orientation and training sessions for newly designated byways.

The Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission (RDC), an EDA funded district, has managed a state-designated byway for the past three years. Through efforts of the local governments and with assistance from the National Scenic Byways Resource Center, the commission is in the process of preparing a corridor management plan, which is essential for applying for national designation.

Dawn Heglund, Transportation Planner with the Upper Minnesota Valley RDC explains, “The economic benefits of having a scenic byway designation are difficult to measure, but with proper marketing, use of promotional materials and the participation of local governments, the benefits will become noticeable.”

To become eligible for designation as a National Scenic Byway, a community must first gain designation as a state scenic byway. In addition, the byway must meet criteria for user safety and user facilities, and must prepare a corridor management plan that ensures continued preservation of the byway’s intrinsic qualities.

By Melissa Levy, Digest Managing Editor

For more information, visit the National Scenic Byways Resource Center at www.byways.org or call (800) 4BYWAYS. Contact Dawn Heglund at Upper Minnesota Valley RDC at (320) 289-1981 ext. 23.

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