Where Scenic America Stands

Scenic America's Position on Scenic Byways

Approved by Scenic America's Board of Directors: June 20, 1995
Reaffirmed in Current Form: April 21, 2002

Scenic America supports reauthorization of the National Scenic Byways Program as structured in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and state programs modeled after this legislation.  Properly planned and managed, scenic byways protect America's most scenic places and contribute to strong, environmentally sound economies.  Scenic America opposes segmenting scenic byways for the purpose of billboard construction and other incompatible land uses not planned for in the byway's corridor management plan.  We also oppose efforts to restrict or eliminate the federal scenic byways program merit-based grant awards through the earmarking of byway funding for specific states or byways.

The Issue

Since its inception in 1991, the National Scenic Byways program has recognized, protected, and promoted America's most outstanding roads.  The National Scenic Byways program and more than 45 state and territorial scenic byways programs offer communities a way to protect distinctive areas and allow travelers to enjoy unique natural, historic, scenic, recreational, archaeological, and cultural assets.

Federal laws governing the National Scenic Byways program prohibit new billboard construction on national scenic byways that are part of the National Highway System or are federal primary-aid roads.  However, the billboard industry and other groups frequently support segmenting scenic byways by removing byway status from key sections of the designated roads to allow billboard construction or other land uses inconsistent with protecting the unique resources of the byway corridors.  Segmentation destroys the continuity of a byway and flouts the very purpose of designation.

Additionally, in 2001 some members of Congress tried to change the National Scenic Byways program from one in which grant awards are based on merit to one in which most funding is earmarked for specific states or byways.  Scenic America joined with other organizations to call national attention to this issue.  Ultimately, Congress reduced the amount earmarked from the entire $25 million byways appropriation to $8.5 million.

Scenic America was a leader in supporting the creation of the National Scenic Byways program.  We continue to work with local activists to develop and implement corridor management plans and with other agencies and groups to vigorously protect the national program.

Scenic America Supports:

• Expanding annual funding for the National Scenic Byways program from $25 million to $50 million;
• Establishing state scenic byways programs in all 50 states;
• Strengthening state scenic byways programs to require corridor management plans for all state scenic byways;
• Creating incentives for more states to apply for scenic byways grants; and
• Prohibiting new billboard construction and segmentation on national and state scenic byways.

Scenic America Opposes:

• Segmenting portions of scenic byways to permit billboard construction or other land uses inconsistent with the byway's corridor management plan or intrinsic resource protection; and
• Transforming the federal scenic byways program from a merit-based grant program into an earmarked program.

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