Scenic byways in the United States explained

Many roads and highways in the United States are labeled scenic byways for having exceptional scenic, historical, archaeological, natural, cultural, or recreational significance. These scenic routes are usually formally designated by national, state, or local agencies in recognition of these qualities, and many are also preserved or managed with special legislation and funding beyond what is required for ordinary road maintenance.^[1]

National

Several agencies of the United States federal government are authorized to designate and manage scenic byways. The National Scenic Byway Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, was founded in 2003 to support efforts for development, management and marketing of scenic byways by the Federal Highway Administration and byway organizations.^{[2] [3]} National scenic byways include:

• Bureau of Land Management Back Country Byways, designated by the Bureau of Land Management (U.S. Department of the Interior)^[4]
• National Forest Scenic Byways, initiated by the United States Forest Service (U.S. Department of Agriculture)^[5]
• National Scenic Byways, managed by the Federal Highway Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation)^[6]
  • Some National Scenic Byways are further classified as "All-American Roads", a higher status reserved for especially distinctive roadways. Both classifications are often collectively marketed under the term "America's Byways".^[7]
• National Parkways, managed by the National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior), are similar to the other federal scenic byway designations except that they protect not only the roadway but also an extensive corridor of surrounding parkland.^[8]

State

Many individual state governments also sponsor programs for designating scenic byways, which is often the first step towards the designation of a National Scenic Byway by the Federal Highway Administration. Generally the state byways are nominated by local communities with the assistance of the state's department of natural resources and tourism offices and then designated by the state's department of transportation. Forty-eight U.S. states and the District of Columbia manage scenic byways programs that operate as part of the National Scenic Byways Program.^[9]

Tribal

The Navajo National Scenic Byways were developed by a task force including the Arizona Department of Transportation and Bureau of Indian Affairs^[10] and are administered with the cooperation of the Federal Highway Administration.^[11]

See also

• State wildlife trails

Further reading

• Federal Highway Administration . National Scenic Byways Study . 1991 . Federal Highway Administration . .
• Book: Levin, David Richard . Scenic Byways . 1988 . Federal Highway Administration . .
• Book: National Geographic Society . National Geographic Guide to Scenic Highways & Byways . 2013 . Washington, DC . National Geographic . 978-1-4262-1014-3 . Google Books.
• Book: Reader's Digest Association . Great American Journeys . registration . 2000 . Pleasantville, NY . Reader's Digest Association . 978-0-89577-847-5 . Internet Archive.
• Book: United States Forest Service . National Forest Scenic Byways Program: Partnership Success Stories . 2008 . United States Forest Service . Google Books.

External links

• America's Byways, a complete list of the federally designated National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads

Notes and References

1. Web site: What is a scenic byway? . Navajo Scenic Roads . August 16, 2014.
2. Web site: About Us . National Scenic Byways Foundation . August 16, 2014.
3. Web site: America's Byways . Byways 101 . August 16, 2014.
4. Web site: BLM Back Country Byways . . August 16, 2014.
5. Web site: Tour USA . PDF . . August 16, 2014.
6. Web site: National Scenic Byways . . August 16, 2014.
7. Web site: About America's Byways . Federal Highway Administration . August 16, 2014.
8. Book: Staff . Learning About the National Park System and The National Park Service . PDF . . 4 . November 30, 2013 .
9. Web site: State Scenic Byways Programs . Scenic America . August 16, 2014.
10. Web site: Aztec Engineering . Corral-Dybas Group . Intrinsic Consulting . Diné Biítah 'Among the People' Scenic Road Corridor Management Plan . . August 15, 2008 . 3, 8 . August 16, 2014.
11. Web site: Navajo Nation Scenic Byways . PDF . Kimley Horn Consulting . August 15, 2014.