America's Byways®WHAT'S NEW
FY 2009 National Scenic Byways Program Grant Cycle Update
The deadline for FY 2009 National Scenic Byways Program grant applications to be electronically submitted to the Federal Highway Administration Headquarters (FHWA) was April 10, 2009. All applications submitted by FHWA Division offices to Headquarters are now currently under review. FHWA has received 353 applications requesting funding of over $87.6 million dollars.
ON THE WEB
New Byways101.org Website Launches
The America's Byways Resource Center announces its newest training program, Byways 101, available now at Byways101.org. This engaging online self-study course focuses on basic information about byways, the National Scenic Byways Program and other related programs in a user-friendly format for individuals and organizations approaching development of a byway. It also serves as a secondary resource for existing State, Indian tribe or Federal lands byways, and includes information previously presented in the publications Byways Beginnings and Community Guide to Planning and Managing a Scenic Byway.
The America's Byways Resource Center invites you to take a tour of the Byways101.org website and register with Byways 101 to receive a binder and resource disc from America’s Byways Resource Center to use as you organize Byways 101 progress charts, Skill Builders and other downloads. Please note that the binders and discs are only available while supplies last.
National Scenic Byways Program and National Park Service Publish Joint Press Release
A recent joint press release from FHWA and the National Park Service (NPS), Parks and byways: Connecting people and places, stated that, according to a recent survey, 73% of byway travelers visit a national or state park during their drive. The National Scenic Byways Program traveler website, www.byways.org, now features an article with detailed travel information about how to experience dozens of national parks while traveling along America’s byways providing National Park visitors with some additional help planning their trip – not just where to go, but rather how to get there.
NEWS BRIEFS
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
President Obama has signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) that provides significant new funding for transportation infrastructure. The Federal Highway Administration stands ready to implement the ARRA and is taking steps to ensure effective coordination and support among federal agencies as well as preparing our partners and stakeholders to implement the ARRA as expeditiously as possible. To assist all state and local agencies in this preparation we have established this ARRA web page which includes a series of key questions and answers (Q&As). These Q&As will continue to be updated as more information becomes available and this web page will provide all stakeholders with the latest information.
While the National Scenic Byways Program is not included in the ARRA; the Indian Reservation Roads Program, the Park Roads and Parkway Program, the Forest Highway Program and the Refuge Roads Program are included. Also, additional funding for Transportation Enhancements (TE) is set aside as a result of the ARRA, and we have added information to the Transportation Enhancements website to explain how this act impacts TE specifically.
SPOTLIGHT ON BYWAYS
Baltimore Heritage Area Designated as National Heritage Area
On March 30, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, one of the most important conservation efforts in decades, protecting more than 2 million acres of wilderness and more than 1,000 miles of wild and scenic rivers, creating more than 5,000 miles of national trails, and establishing three new units of the National Park Service. The law establishes ten National Heritage sites, authorizes numerous Bureau of Reclamation water projects, and alters several national park boundaries. It specifically creates 21 new wilderness areas and expands 19 existing wilderness areas in 10 national forests.
As a result of this act, the Baltimore Heritage Area was designated a National Park Service National Heritage Area, protecting the Baltimore Heritage Area with up to $10 million in federal funding over 15 years to develop education programs and exhibits and protect and restore Baltimore's historic sites. The Baltimore Heritage Area is home to 24 national historic landmarks, more than 53,000 buildings in National Register historic districts, more than 8,000 buildings in local historic districts, 13 Chesapeake Bay Gateways, five Maryland Scenic Byways and the Historic National Road, one of America’s Byways®. The heritage area includes such neighborhoods as Druid Hill Park, Fells Point, Oliver, Jonestown, Little Italy, Mount Vernon, Canton, Patterson Park, Jones Falls Valley and Locust Point.
