Agenda - 08-17-2004-6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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NC SCENIC BYWAYS Q &A: la Q. What criteria are the scenic byways based on? A. The foundation of the program and a byway is the scenic character of the route. Legislation in 1993 broaden the scope of byways to designate roads "that possess unusual, exceptional, or distinctive scenic, recreational, historical, educational, scientific, geological, natural, wildlife, cultural or ethnic features ". These intrinsic qualifies are judged according to their distinctiveness, magnitude, frequency and intactness. A route must also be a minimum of one consecutive mile in length, have legal public access and contain qualities within the corridor which are not jeopardized (preference is given to routes with existing protected areas - i.e. state parks, scenic easements, etc.). Q. How do I get a `NC Scenic Byways' booklet? A. The new byway book (which includes 13 new byways and contain helpful cross references to historic sites and state parks) is available at NCDOT Welcome and Visitor Centers or by writing our office - NCDOT - Scenic Byways, P.O. Box 25201, Raleigh, NC, 27611. Donations are accepted to support the program and offset the cost of printing the booklet. Q. Is the Blue Ridge Parkway a NC Scenic Byway? A. No, the Parkway is not a state maintained road but is managed by the National Park Service (Dept, of the Interior). The beauty and scenic quality of the Parkway is unsurpassed and it recently with the support of NCDOT received a national designation of being an "All- American Road" (the highest designation of scenic byways with only 9 across the country). The Blue Ridge Parkway is included in our new byway booklet. Q. Are we online? or Do we have a NC Scenic Byway home page? A. Our homepage is being worked on and will be completed within the next 6 months. Our address is www.doh.dot.state.nc.us/operations/dp_chief-eng/roadside/scenic or can be accessed easily through the state or NCDOT homepages. Q. Is development or land -use regulated on NC Scenic Byways? A. No, NCDOT does not have the authority or the desire to regulate land -use on the byways. The byway program is a grassroots program where the authority to regulate or preserve the existing character of the byway is left up to the community. The byway program hopefully shines light on those qualities which make the area special or unique. If the community fails to maintain these special qualities, which the byway designation was based, NCDOT retains the authority to de- designate the route. Legislation prohibits the erection of any new billboards on byways ( NCDOT executes this legislative restriction).