Appendix - Florida Scenic Highways

[FHWA Docket No. 95-15]National Scenic Byways ProgramAGENCY: Federal HighwayAdministration (FHWA), DOT.ACTION: Notice of FHWA interim policySUMMARY: In response to the IntermodalSurface Transportation Efficiency Act of1991 (ISTEA) mandate to establish anational scenic byways program, theFHWA announces its interim policy forthe National Scenic Byways Program.This interim policy sets forth the criteriafor the designation of roads as NationalScenic Byways or All-American Roadsbased upon their scenic, historic,recreational, cultural, archeological,and/or natural intrinsic qualities.DATES: Comments must be received onor before July 17, 1995.ADDRESSES: Submit written, signedcomments to FHWA Docket No. 95-15,Federal Highway Administration Room4232, HCC-10, Office of the ChiefCounsel, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,Washington, D.C. 20590. All commentsreceived will be available forexamination at the above addressbetween 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., e.t.,Monday through Friday, except Federalholidays.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.Eugene Johnson, Intermodal Division,Office of Environment and Planning,HEP-50, (202) 366-2071; or Mr. RobertBlack, Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel,HCC-31, (202) 366-1359. This address isFederal Highway Administration, 400Seventh Street, SW., Washington, D.C.20590. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m.to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday throughFriday, except Federal holidays.SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Beginningas early as 1966, the FHWA hasparticipated in several studies relatingto establishing national scenic bywaysprograms. The most recent study wascompleted in 1991 and was conductedin response to a request in the 1990Department of TransportationAppropriations Act. This studyincluded recommendations forestablishing a national scenic bywaysprogram, including recommendedtechniques for maintaining andenhancing the scenic, recreational, andhistoric qualities associated with eachbyway. The ISTEA incorporated manyof the recommendations from this studyand called for the establishment of anational scenic byways program.Section 1047 of the ISTEA, Pub. L. 102-240, 105 Stat. 1914, set up an advisorycommittee to assist the Secretary ofTransportation in establishing a nationalscenic byways program. The advisorycommittee was composed of seventeenmembers: the designee of theAdministrator of the FHWA; appointeesfrom the U.S. Forest Service, theNational Park Service, the Bureau ofLand Management, the Bureau of IndianAffairs, and the U.S. Travel andTourism Administration of theDepartment of Commerce; andindividuals representing the interests ofthe recreational users of scenic byways,conservationists, the tourism industry,historic preservationists, highway users,State and local highway andtransportation officials, the motoringpublic, scenic preservationists, theoutdoor advertising industry, and theplanning professions. The advisorycommittee was charged with developingminimum criteria for designatinghighways as scenic byways or all-American roads for purposes of anational scenic byways system. Aftermeeting four times, the advisorycommittee produced a report that maderecommendations on all the facets of anational scenic byway program. TheNational Scenic Byway Programoutlined in this notice follows thoserecommendations.The FHWA has awarded grants toStates for scenic byway projects underthe interim scenic byways programestablished by ISTEA. The grant fundsfor the interim program ran out in fiscalyear 1994. This notice specifies the typeof projects eligible for funding and liststhe funding priority for providing grantsto the States under the National ScenicByways Program.Through this notice, the FHWA isestablishing the interim policy for theNational Scenic Byways Program. Thisinterim policy sets forth the criteria forthe designation of roads as NationalScenic Byways or All-American Roadsbased upon their scenic, historic,recreational, cultural, archeological,and/or natural intrinsic qualities. To bedesignated as a National Scenic Byway,a road must significantly meet criteriafor at least one of the above six intrinsicqualities. For the All- American Roadsdesignation, criteria must be met formultiple intrinsic qualities. Anyonemay nominate a road for NationalScenic Byway or All-American Roadstatus, but the nomination must besubmitted through a State’s identifiedscenic byway agency and include acorridor management plan designed toprotect the unique qualities of a scenicbyway. The FHWA solicits commentson any part of the policy.The National Scenic Byways Policy isas follows:1. ApplicabilityThe policy and procedures of thisdocument apply to any State or Federalagency electing to participate in theNational Scenic Byways Program byseeking to have a road or highwaydesignated as a National Scenic Bywayor an All-American Road and for anystate seeking funds for eligible scenicbyways projects. Participation in thenational program shall be entirelyvoluntary.2. Definitionsa. Corridor means the road orhighway right-of-way and the adjacentarea thatis visible from and extending along thehighway. The distance the corridorextends from the highway could varywith the different intrinsic qualities.b. Corridor Management Plan meansa written document that specifies theactions, procedures, controls,operational practices, andadministrative strategies to maintain thescenic, historic, recreational, cultural,archeological, and natural qualities ofthe scenic byway.c. Federal Agency means the U.S.Forest Service, Bureau of LandManagement, National Park Service, andthe Bureau of Indian Affairs, and theirscenic byways programs.d. Federal Agency Scenic Bywaymeans a road or highway located onlands under Federal ownership whichhas been officially designated by theresponsible Federal agency as a scenicbyway for its scenic, historic,recreational, cultural, archeological, ornatural qualities.e. Intrinsic Quality means scenic,historic, recreational, cultural,archeological, or natural features thatare considered representative, unique,irreplaceable, or distinctly characteristicof an area.f.Local Commitment means assuranceprovided by communities along thescenic byway that they will undertakeactions, such as zoning and otherprotective measures, to preserve thescenic, historic, recreational, cultural,archeological, and natural integrity ofthe scenic byway and the adjacent areaas identified in the corridormanagement plan.g. Regional Significance meanscharacteristics that are representative ofa geographic area encompassing two ormore States.h. Scenic Byways Agency means theBoard, Commission, Bureau,Department, Office, etc., that has theresponsibility for administering theState’s scenic byways programactivities. Unless otherwise designated,FHWA will assume that the State ScenicByways Agency is the State Departmentof Transportation or State highwayagency as recognized in the