Washington state’s newest scenic byway has completed its Corridor Management Plan. Now available at libraries on each major island and online, the plan is the result of 2.5 years of research and writing by consultant Mandi Roberts from Otak, Inc. of Kirkland, Wash., in collaboration with members of the Scenic Byway Steering Committee. Many other local experts also contributed to the final product which captures historical highlights, analyzes existing conditions relevant to tourism, and provides a series of recommendations and wish-list projects along the byway.
The CMP is required by the National Scenic Byway Program to identify strategies for stewardship and enhancement of the byway’s unique sites and qualities, as well as actions for improving multimodal transportation and improving visitor experience. Completion of the CMP is a requirement recognition as a National Scenic Byway and for future byway funding. More information can be found at: www.visitsanjuans.com/scenicbyway/management-plan and http://www.byways.org/.
The CMP effort was coordinated by Liz Illg and members of the Steering Committee were Deborah Buchanan, San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau; Sandy Strehlou, Town of Friday Harbor Historic Preservation Program; Melissa Johnson, Washington State Ferries; Terri Gilleland, Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce; Shannon Wilbur, San Juan County Public Works; Dona Wuthnow, San Juan County Parks and Recreation; Judy Cumming, San Juan County Land Bank; Peter Dederich, San Juan Island National Historical Park; Michel Vekved, Friends of Moran State Park; Cathy Faulkner, Orcas Pathways; Stephanie Buffum, Friends of the San Juans; and Hawkins Pingree, San Juan County Agricultural Resources Committee. A number of citizens from San Juan Island and Orcas Island also participated in public workshops and provided input during the planning process.
The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The program was established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. Known as “America’s Byways,” roads in the scenic byways program are cherished for their scenic, natural, recreational, historic, cultural or archaeological qualities.
