Scenic Byways Programs and Planning

Rhode Island Scenic Highway Corridor Management Plans (2003) Currently working with four communities statewide to develop corridor management plans for designated state scenic highways. The project covers a range of rural, suburban and urban roadway types, and continues the Rhode Island Scenic Roadways Board's focus on protection of scenic and cultural landscapes.

Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan (1999) Prepared corridor management plan for Routes 4 and 17 in Maine’s Rangeley Lakes Region, leading to designation of these roads as the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway.

Pyramid Lake National Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan (1996) Worked with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Indian Tribe to achieve statewide byway designation and National Scenic Byway designation, and to secure Scenic Byway grant funding for a visitors/cultural center. This byway represents an ideal integration of a community’s desire to protect a natural resource base—Pyramid Lake—with a desire to strengthen the local economy.

Rhode Island Corridor Management Planning Test Cases and Guidebook (1996) Worked with three communities statewide to develop model corridor management plans and to prepare a guidebook for use by all communities wishing to prepare byway corridor management plans. The focus of this project was on scenic landscape protection rather than tourism promotion.

National Trust for Historic Preservation, Scenic Byways Manual (1994) Assisted the National Trust in the preparation of a manual to guide local scenic bylaw planners and activists to prepare corridor management plans. Rick Taintor also acted as a co-facilitator with Trust staff at a Washington, DC workshop held for eastern U.S. community representatives. Conducted session on citizen participation strategies.

National Scenic Byways Resource Center—National Survey (1999) Developed and conducted telephone survey of all 53 National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads and of all state byways coordinators to understand accomplishments and needs relative to the newly formed National Scenic Byways Resource Center. Resulting report has helped the Center shape its programs.

Vermont Scenic Byways Program (1995) Coordinated an effort to revise and update the Vermont Scenic Roads program. Of special interest was the method used to include and facilitate the participation of several property rights organizations concerned with the potential for the Vermont Byways Program to create a regulatory burden on the Vermont business community. The Vermont project resulted in a successful revision that reflected a new awareness of how to balance the interests of the general public with the interests of property owners.

Nevada Scenic Byways Program (1993) Developed state-wide scenic byways program under ISTEA-funded project that broke new ground for including planning in the designation process and for linking tourism development with natural resource protection.