America's Byways®WHAT'S NEW
FY 2008 National Scenic Byways Program Grant Solicitation
The Federal Highway Administration is now seeking grant proposals for National Scenic Byways Program funding consideration for FY 2008. SAFETEA-LU authorized up to $40 million for this fiscal year. FHWA has decided to be more strategic in its grant awards process by targeting its resources toward projects that provide the greatest benefits. FHWA is particularly focusing on projects with demonstrated benefits for the byway traveler and invites the application of large-scale, high-cost projects that provide strategic benefits to the byway. Applications are due to FHWA division offices by April 11, 2008, and to FHWA headquarters by May 9, 2008.
The National Scenic Byways Program team has prepared a new document, National Scenic Byways Program FY 2008 Grant Information, and will be hosting small group discussions to enhance interaction and encourage byway coordinators and division offices to ask questions prior to submission deadlines. Byway coordinators and division offices will be notified via e-mail as to the times, dates and call-in numbers for these discussions.
For both seasoned and first time applicants, please remember that submitting an application is a two-step process, and includes registering your organization with Grants.gov. The details of this registration process can be found on the Grants.gov website (see www.grants.gov/GetStarted). Because there are a number of steps involved, we encourage you to begin now! For more information on submitting an application to the National Scenic Byways Program for funding consideration, please see www.bywaysonline.org.
Tips for Grants.gov Submissions
The National Scenic Byways Program 2008 grant application includes a grants.gov portion. The grants.gov applicant guide has been redone this year and is available at http://grants.gov/help/user_guides.jsp - under applicant guide.
Sections 1.1 through 2.0 walk you through the entire registration process, from acquiring a DUNS number to assigning yourself or another as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR), which is where a number of applicants got held up last year.
Here are the 5 necessary pieces of info an applicant should make note of and keep in a safe place:
- The DUNS number assigned to your organization
- Your Trading Partner Identification Number (TPIN) assigned upon confirmation of Central Contractor Registry (CCR) registration
- The name of your organization's Electronic Business Point of Contact (the E-Biz POC)
- The Marketing Personal Identification Number (MPIN) – you or your E-Biz POC should have this number
- Your grants.gov login and password
For those in the community who went through this process last year, please remember to renew your CCR registration to maintain an active status in the system. Start the process here: http://www.ccr.gov. Click "Update/Renew" on the menu on the left. You will need both the DUNS number and the Trading Partner Identification Number (TPIN) associated with your organization.
Support for the www.grants.gov and www.ccr.gov websites can be found by following the links below:
- Grants.gov support - http://www07.grants.gov/contactus/contactus.jsp
- CCR.gov support - http://www.ccr.gov/Help.aspx
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
A Notice of Proposed Amendments (NPA) to the MUTCD was published in the Federal Register on January 2, 2008 for public review and comments. This NPA contains comprehensive revisions that are proposed for incorporation into the next edition of the MUTCD. A 7-month period is being provided for comments to the docket, which will close on July 31, 2008. Of particular interest may be proposed changes in Chapter 2D regarding wayfinding signs, Chapter 2G regarding specific service signs, and Chapter 2J regarding recreational and cultural area interest signs. Further information can be found at: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/proposed_amend/index.htm.
ON THE WEB
Using the America's Byways® logo
The tourist season is ramping up, and the byway marketers are checking their websites and marketing materials to make sure everything is current. Many requests are coming in for the "official" America's Byways® logo. Make sure the logo you are using has the ® mark, and not the old ™. New logos can be accessed from the homepage at http://www.bywaysonline.org/program/marketing/downloads.html.
But why is it so important to use the America's Byways logo if your byway is nationally designated by the Secretary of Transportation? The answer is that your byway is part of a distinct and diverse collection of roads. Our America's Byways brand is promoted nationally and internationally, and our America's Byways® logo is recognized in publications around the world, and on signs, maps, and interpretive panels around the country. Every time you use the logo, you are reinforcing our brand to potential and existing consumers.
For complete information on proper logo usage refer to the "America's Byways® Graphics Standards Manual" at http://library.byways.org/display/57276/Graphic%20Standards%20Manual.pdf.
SPOTLIGHT ON BYWAYS
Grand Mesa Scenic Byway Recognized by the Forest Service
Delta, CO—Rocky Mountain Regional Forester Rick Cables and Deputy Regional Foresters Richard Stem and Greg Griffiths recognized the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway Association as one of the Region's 2007 Partnerships of the Year.
The Grand Mesa Scenic Byway Association was selected for its commitment and accomplishments toward preserving the unique qualities of the byway, including the historic, recreational, cultural, archaeological, and natural features of the diverse and unique landscape of the Grand Mesa. Chairman Bill Miller accepted the award on behalf of the Byway Association. For more info contact Lee Ann Loupe, Public Affairs Specialist, 970.874.6717.
This is a great example of a byway community working in partnership with the Forest Service to achieve common goals of preserving, promoting and protecting the intrinsic qualities of their byway. All byway groups should identify and cultivate Federal, State, and local government partners, non-governmental organizations, associations, and private-sector companies to expand their resources and strengthen their byway organizations for the future.
