News Release for August 30, 2007

Contact: Bob LaRoche, 624-3094

MAINEDOT DESIGNATES THREE NEW SCENIC BYWAYS

Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) Commissioner David Cole has designated three new state scenic byways in Maine.  The three routes are in Maine’s western mountains, in northern Penobscot County, and in northern Somerset and Piscatiquis Counties.

“The designation is formal recognition as part of Maine’s Scenic Byway System,” explains MaineDOT Scenic Byway Coordinator Bob LaRoche.  “The local communities and regional organizations which put forward the original proposals now have a fair amount of work to do to make their byway a success.”

The three routes include:

              -- the Seboomook Scenic Byway, covering 49 miles of Route 15 from the Indian Hill Rest       Area in Greenville northwest to the intersection of Routes 15 and US 201 in Jackman;

              -- the Grindstone Scenic Byway, involving 59 miles of Routes 11, 159 and the Grand             Lake Road, extending from Medway through Patten to the north gate of Baxter State    Park; and

              -- the Evans Notch Scenic Byway, involving 60 miles of Route 113 between Standish and      the Batchelder’s Grant-Gilead town line.  Only those portions of Route 113 within the        state of Maine are included in that designation.

“Typically, when local communities seek scenic byway designation, they’re trying to identify and conserve intrinsic resources, promote economic development and provide a way to leverage funds for improvements along the corridor.  We’re talking about things like cultural, historical, archeological, recreational, natural and scenic features which make the corridor unique,” he explains.

“The first step for these new scenic byways is for the local advocacy groups to complete a corridor management plan, explaining how resources associated with the byway will be managed after official designation is finalized.  Then, the communities along the corridor must adopt that management plan as part of their local comprehensive plan,” LaRoche explains.  “The intent is to assure that there are processes in place to protect the resources along the corridor that justified the designation in the first place.”

“The designation makes the sponsoring communities and organizations eligible for federal funds specifically designated for the creation of scenic byways across the country,” LaRoche explains.  “It’s funding that’s been specifically identified for byway development and protection and is separate from general highway construction and maintenance funding.”

Scenic byway funds, which are provided in the form of grants, typically are used for development of the corridor management plan, interpretive materials or facilities to help explain the unique features of the byway corridor, roadway improvements or new roadside turnouts to enhance the experience of traveling through the corridor, paved shoulders or other upgrades to pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and corridor administrative costs.

“There is a common misconception that scenic byway designation means towns along the corridor must adopt zoning or other stringent regulatory controls.  That is not necessarily so.  Protection of the features which make a byway unique and qualify it for designation may be accomplished in several ways, including property owner agreements, easements and the definition of standards for local planning board review of proposed developments along the corridor,” LaRoche says.  “The protective measures are spelled out in a corridor management plan written by the Corridor Advisory Group, which has representatives from local communities and other interest groups, and adopted by individual communities along the corridor.  It’s a local decision based on local input and local support for protection of the byway corridor.  Designation does not hinder the primary purpose of the roadway, which is to move people and goods in a safe and efficient manner.”

Byway designation will also make the local group in each area part of a larger group of designated state byway advocacy groups, LaRoche explains, adding that “Those groups have a yearly meeting to exchange information and figure out ways to work collaboratively to promote all of Maine’s byways.  The scenic byways are shown on Maine maps, websites, brochures and other tourism outreach efforts, which in turn can lead to economic development through increased tourism.  The byway designation does not automatically assure additional state transportation funds for the region, but it does offer a way for the region to promote additional tourism to local destinations.”

When fully designated, the three new byways will join nine previously designated scenic byways in Maine:  the Acadia Byway All-America Road on Mount Desert Island; the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway along US Route 201 in the upper Kennebec River valley; the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway along parts of Routes 4 and 17 in the Rangeley area; the Schoodic National Scenic Byway along parts of US Route 1 and Route 186 on Frenchman’s Bay and the Schoodic Penninsula; the Grafton Notch Scenic Byway on Route 26 in western Maine including parts of Grafton Notch State Park; the Route 27 Scenic Byway in the Carabassett River Valley between Kingfield and Coburn Gore; the Million Dollar View Scenic Byway along US Route 1 in northern Washington and southern Aroostook Counties; the Fish River Scenic Byway on Route 11 between Portage Lake and Fort Kent in northern Maine; and the Blackwoods Scenic Byway on Route 182 between Franklin and Cherryfield in eastern Maine.

“With one of the oldest scenic byway programs in the country, Maine’s program depends upon the support of local communities and of volunteers interested in preserving, enhancing, and sharing each region’s heritage, culture and natural resources.  Maine residents, businesses and visitors all benefit from the efforts made by those who participate in the program,” LaRoche concluded.

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