America's Byways®What's New
Congressional Action on Extending SAFETEA-LU and Appropriations
Congress passed and the President signed Public Law 111-147, “Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act.”
This bill will extend surface transportation programs, including the National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) and the America’s Byways Resource Center (ABRC), through December 31, 2010. As such, our programs are now authorized through FY 2010 and the first quarter of FY 2011 at the FY 2009 levels ($43.5/year for the NSBP and $3/year for the ABRC).
Since Congress previously passed an appropriations bill for FY 2010, the full FY 2010 amount, minus a reduction due to the obligation limitation, should be available soon. The final amount available for FY 2010 NSBP grants should be near the $40.7 million awarded in FY 2009. Please note that we will still need an appropriation bill for FY 2011 before the funds authorized for FY 2011 can be made available.
Secretary LaHood announces new US DOT Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations
The Department of Transportation is committed to walking and bicycling. The Policy Statement highlights sections from the US Code and Code of Federal Regulations that pertain to walking and bicycling. It also provides some recommended actions that transportation agencies may consider to make walking and bicycling safer and more convenient. The Policy Statement is an expression of DOT leadership's commitment to walking and bicycling, but it does not create new any new requirements for transportation agencies. Please share this with your State, Indian tribe, and Metropolitan Planning Organization partners. Review the statement and incorporate it into future dialogues as you plan and develop projects along your byway. Read the new Policy Statement or check out the Secretary’s blog about the Policy Statement.
On the Web
FHWA Launches New Livability website!
The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) new Livable Communities webpage provides information on the FHWA Livability Initiative as well as updates on the HUD/DOT/EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities. This is an exciting time for transportation and byways. Please this new site for information on livability activities, resources, programs and resources for ideas to help integrate livability principles into byway planning efforts.
News Briefs
Landmark Travel Promotion Act Passed by Congress
On March 4, 2010, the President signed the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-145) as part of an overall bill entitled “United States Capitol Police Administrative Technical Corrections Act of 2009” – HR 1299. The bill is significant in Federal efforts regarding travel promotion, and is rich in opportunity for byway participation in its implementation.
In a related effort, the U. S. Travel Association has prepared a travel promotion toolkit that provides resources for the enactment of travel promotion.
Spotlight on Byways
Navajo Scenic Byways Program Coordinator Retires
Verginia Yazzie, whose name is synonymous with the success of the Navajo Nation Scenic Byways Program, has decided to retire. Verginia was introduced to the National Scenic Byways Program in 1992, and immediately saw the connection between tourism and byways, and the economic opportunity this could mean for Native byway communities. Describing herself as the “Johnny Apple Seed” of the Navajo Nation, she began cultivating the seeds of partnerships and projects. One of her most fruitful endeavors, working with her partners, is the Dine’bittah Scenic Road.
Today, largely through Verginia’s vision and plain hard work, the Navajo Nation now boasts of several “orchards,” scenic roads that traverse the Navajo Nation, Utah and Arizona, and includes Historic Route 66 and Trail of the Ancients in New Mexico. In total, her efforts have yielded over $2 million dollars awarded in National Scenic Byways Program funds through the implementation of 15 projects since 1998. Get more information on Navajo Nation Scenic Roads.
So, is Verginia really retiring? “No, yes, no, no, yes!” Although she’s happy in savoring her successes while relaxing, dreaming of beaches in Sydney and Hawaii, she remains passionate about byways, and will continue to stay involved. Verginia says, “Thank you all and walk in harmony.”
