Back to Facts for Action List

The National Scenic Byways Program:
Balancing Economics and Conservation

. . . Foreigners don't want to waste time in the freeway-strip-mall-franchise-warehouse-outlet-lowrise-taco stand burger landscape of America that we all know and don't see as it spreads. . .  They want to see the magnificent things in America.  They want to see where the music comes from and where the books come from . . ."
  - Garrison Keillor, White House conference on Travel and Tourism in September, 1995.

Scenic byways are roads that highlight the special natural, historic, and cultural features of an area.  These roadways provide an enjoyable and relaxing experience for travelers, while providing local communities with tourist revenue.  Across the country, from New Hampshire's White Mountain Trail to the Pacific Coast Highway, designating and protecting scenic byways is a way to preserve America's beauty and heritage for everyone to enjoy.

What is the National Scenic Byways Program?

The National Scenic Byways Program is a voluntary program to protect and promote America's scenic roads.  States can participate by applying for funding, National Scenic Byway designations, or both.  In 1991, Congress established the Program under the Intermodal Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) and strengthened it with the passage of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, known as TEA-21.  With a modest federal investment, the National Scenic Byways Program helps citizens across America to identify, protect, and promote the scenic, historic, cultural, recreational, and natural resources that make these roadways special.

Unlike some earlier state scenic roads programs which focused solely on the promotion of roads, this program helps communities balance economic development and resource conservation.

The Program has two primary components:  funding and designation.

Funding

TEA 21 increases the funding for the National Scenic Byways Program by 85%, to $148 million over six years, for projects such as creating statewide byways programs, corridor management planning, promoting byways, scenic easements, billboard removal, etc.  The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awards the funds competitively as grants.

Designation  

The designation program is an effort to protect and promote America's most scenic roads.  The states may choose to submit nominations to FHWA for designation as National Scenic Byways or All American Roads.

What Are the Criteria?

National Scenic Byways possess outstanding qualities that exemplify the regional characteristics of our nation, while All American Roads are our country's finest byways, the best of the best.

For designation as a National Scenic Byway, the road must possess at least one of the six "intrinsic qualities" defined by the FHWA as scenic, natural, historic, cultural, archaeological, or recreational.  Second, byway advocates must prepare a "corridor management plan" which identifies key resources, threats to those resources, preservation strategies, and marketing plans.

For designation as an All American Road, the byway must possess two or more of the intrinsic qualities, have a corridor management plan, and be considered a destination unto itself.

What About State Scenic Byways Programs?

About 40 states now have scenic byways programs, many of which have been created or reorganized to match the National Scenic Byway Program designation criteria.  States may apply for funding from the National Scenic Byway Program to develop and implement state scenic byway programs and projects.

What Are the Benefits of Scenic Byways?

Scenic byways enhance quality of life and improve local economies.  Researchers and common sense have long told us that vacationers most want to visit beautiful places.  The 1994 American Traveler Survey, for example, found that Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Vermont, Colorado, Washington, and Montana -- all known for protecting their natural beauty -- were the most popular domestic destinations.

Tourists stimulate economic development.  A U.S. Travel Data Center study from 1989 (which predated the National Scenic Byways Program) found that 1,600 miles of designated byways generated nearly $48 million in traveler spending, creating over 900 jobs and $9 million in payroll income.  Recent economic data confirms this.  A 1996 study in Colorado found that byway designation increased traffic on eight of 21 new byways, leading to sales increases of about 10%.

Another study that analyzed the potential benefits of designating US 89 near Glacier Park in Montana as a scenic byway estimated that designation, coupled with a strong local marketing program, could create as many as 20 new jobs for the region.

Scenic byways are a source of local pride, a chance for citizens to showcase the beauty of their region.  Moreover, scenic byways provide communities with what one activist has called a "road map to the future":  a way for stakeholders to determine what they like about their communities and how to preserve these qualities while encouraging economic growth.

What About Billboards on Scenic Byways?

The law on billboards on scenic byways is simple common sense:  new billboard construction is prohibited along designated scenic byways that are interstate, National Highway System, or federal-aid primary highways.  Existing billboards are allowed to remain.

Sample Projects Scenic Byways Funds Have Supported

New York, Adirondacks and the Catskills:  Expansion of the scenic roads program and enhancement of designated roads.

Minnesota, Edge of Wilderness Scenic Byway:  Construction of an interpretive rest area, including a nature trail, a parking area, and an information kiosk.

Colorado, the San Juan Skyway:  Development and distribution of heritage tourism information about the byway.

Pacific Northwest, Washington, California, and Oregon:  Development of a tri-state scenic byway along the Pacific coast.

Alabama, Selma to Montgomery March Byway:  Developing a master plan for the byway,  interpretive facilities along the road, construction of turnouts, and other efforts.

Virginia,  Rte. 5, the Capital to Capital Scenic Byway:  Visitor centers at each end of the byway route connecting Williamsburg and Richmond.

"We have to believe that place by place, mile by mile, we can preserve scenic America and even reclaim ugly America.  I haven't a doubt from all these years of wandering that Americans want to do that."

- Charles Kuralt in a speech at Scenic America's national conference in Baltimore, May 1997.

BACK TO TOP