Help Revive America’s Scenic Byways Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Congress is preparing to vote on H.R. Bill 5158, which will direct the Secretary of Transportation to reopen the National Scenic Byways Program to new nominations
View of the mountains and valleys along the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway in Wyoming. // (credit: Scenic America)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (November 19, 2018) – The National Scenic Byways program, dormant since 2012, is poised to be revived by legislation currently before Congress. Byway advocates are hopeful that both the House and Senate will pass bills supporting the program during the current Congressional session.
The program, which currently includes 150 specially designated roads throughout the country, was introduced in 1991 by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States earmarked for their archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.
Many of these roadways crisscross Native American lands. Among them, the Native American Scenic Byway, crosses the reservations of four tribes of Lakota Sioux: Crow Creek, Lower Brule, Cheyenne River and Standing Rock, while the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway follows the pathways traversed by the famed chief as he led the Nez Perce Tribe out of the area now known as Yellowstone National Park.
Economic Benefits of a Scenic Byway Designation
Roads named as National Scenic Byways often find the designation comes with an important economic boost to local economies. According to Scenic America, a 2010 report from the University of Minnesota showed that traveler spending along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway and the nearby Lake Country Scenic Byway resulted in $21.6 million in economic impact for communities adjacent to the two roadways. Similarly, a 2013 study of Scenic Byway 12 in Utah found that the byway generated nearly $13 million annually in local spending.
Although the program has proven to provide both economic and preservation benefits, it has been largely dormant for nearly a decade. The last round of funding for the National Scenic Byways Program occurred in 2009 and Congress subsequently pulled support for the program in 2012.
There are signs of life, however.
In March, Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), introduced H.R. 5158, a bill directing the Secretary of Transportation to reopen the National Scenic Byways Program to new nominations. The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Rep. David E. Price (D-NC) and Rep. John P. Sarbanes (D-MD) has recently passed through the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure by unanimous vote and will soon be presented for a full vote by the House of Representatives.
Reinstating the bill could mean additional economic benefits for numerous communities throughout the United States. A recent survey found that 44 local byways in 24 states are ready to seek National Scenic Byway designation should the program be reinstated. What’s more, the Federal Highway Administration has said that reinstating the program would not require any new funding. It simply needs approval by Congress.
Take Action
As Congress gets ready to vote on the bill, AIANTA encourages Tribal enterprises and other interested parties to contact their local elected representatives and weigh in on the importance of the Scenic Byways program. Letting your voice be heard is as simple as filling out a form at the Scenic America website at www.scenic.org/HR5158.
For more information, contact AIANTA at 505.724.3592 or Scenic America at 202.463.1294.
Download high-resolution imagery here.
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About AIANTA
For more than two decades, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has served as the national center for providing tourism and recreational travel technical assistance, training and capacity building to American Indian nations. AIANTA is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit association of Native American tribes and tribal businesses and was incorporated in 2002 to advance Indian Country tourism. AIANTA’s mission is to define, introduce, grow and sustain American Indian and Alaska Native tourism that honors traditions and values.
About Scenic America
Scenic America is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the visual character of America’s roadways, countryside and communities.
Contact: Monica Poling, AIANTA
mpoling@aianta.org, (505) 724-3578
Max Ashburn, Scenic America
ashburn@scenic.org, 202.463.1294