FAQs
What is a Scenic Byway?
A road recognized for having special qualities which its local communities wish to preserve and promote. Scenic byway programs (which exist at both the state and national level) are about recognition, not necessarily regulation. Scenic byways are designated based on the intrinsic qualities of the roadway (archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic) that make them distinctive and provide a unique (and appealing) travel experience.
What is the National Scenic Byways Program?
The NSB supports efforts to preserve, protect, interpret, and promote the intrinsic qualities of designated byways. The program provides resources for both state and nationally designated byways. For more information about the program click here.
How does a byway become a National Scenic Byway?
Once your byway has been designated a state scenic byway and a corridor management plan has been completed, you can apply for National Scenic Byway designation. There is a nomination application process. To see the application, click here. The decision on which roads to designate is ultimately made by the Secretary of Transportation based on recommendations from FHWA staff which is informed by the work of a review panel consisting of six to eight experts.
What is a Corridor Management Plan?
A CMP describes and inventories the byway and the resources along the route and develops goals and management strategies to protect and promote the byway corridor's significant qualities. An effective corridor management plan provides a connection between regional planning and local plans and initiatives and should be developed with substantial community involvement. In addition to being a useful tool for the communities, a corridor management plan is a prerequisite for attaining designation as a National Scenic Byway. Corridor management plans vary widely, for some examples click here.
What a Corridor Management Plan is NOT...
- ...a top-down land use regulation plan.
- ...a FHWA plan or document.
- ...a plan that restricts private property rights.
- ...a plan that mandates regulations for viewsheds.
- ...a plan that allows State or Federal government to regulate land use outside the road right-of-way.
- ...a plan to supersede State or local land use and transportation plans and requirements.
- ...a list of mandated new taxes.
(from www.byways101.org)
What is the role of the Corridor Advisory Group?
This standing committee will provide direction and guidance on the Corridor Management Plan throughout the process. Over the course of the anticipated 21 month planning process, the Corridor Advisory Group will be convened approximately every three months (for a total of seven meetings). The Corridor Advisory Group will provide input on the formation of several Local Advisory Groups.
What is the role of the Local Advisory Groups?
The role of the Local Advisory Groups is to review and comment on written, graphic, and digital parts of the Plan throughout development of the Plan, to serve as a liaison with other community members, and to represent the byway. For more details about the responsibilities of the Local Advisory Group members click here.
Is the Scenic Byway a Massachusetts Scenic Road?
No. The Essex Heritage Scenic Byway is not a Massachusetts scenic road. Chapter 40, Section 15C of the MA General Laws authorizes a municipality to designate scenic roads in their community for the purpose of regulating removal of trees and tree cutting or alteration of stone walls. Any road other than a state numbered route or highway is eligible. As the entire byway follows state numbered routes, none of the byway is eligible for this designation. Even if certain portions of the route did not follow state numbered roads, however, it would be up to the local municipality to designate the road as a scenic road.
