America's Byways® Press Room
April 22, 2002 - U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Marks Earth Day with Grants

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today celebrated Earth Day by announcing that 136 projects in 38 states will share $20 million in Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) scenic byways grants. This funding helps recognize, preserve and enhance America’s scenic roads and highways throughout the United States.

“President Bush wants us to celebrate the rich blessings of our nation’s natural resources and to take stock of our stewardship of nature’s gifts,” Secretary Mineta said. “Earth Day provides a special opportunity to appreciate the highways and byways that course through America’s spectacular beauty. These funds will help ensure that America’s scenic riches remain for generations to come.”

The vision of the National Scenic Byways Program is “to create a distinctive collection of American Roads, their stories and special places.” Today’s funding is intended to help achieve the vision of the byways program by funding projects that engage volunteers to preserve and enhance these byways, demonstrate environmentally sensitive solutions to problems in preserving these byways, and enable people to walk and bike in natural settings.

National Scenic Byways Discretionary funds enable states to undertake eligible projects along highways designated as All-American Roads, National Scenic Byways, and state-designated byways. Eligible under this program are planning projects to inventory, preserve, and enhance the qualities of the byway, safety improvements, construction of bike and pedestrian facilities, development of visitor information such as brochures and interpretive facilities and scenic overlooks, resource protection such as scenic easements, and byway marketing.

“The projects funded today highlight the importance and value of preserving our scenic vistas and important landscapes through grassroots volunteer efforts,” FHWA Administrator Mary E. Peters said. “These efforts also serve as tools to boost local economies through tourism and create a sense of pride.”

Besides generating a sense of pride and enthusiasm for those involved, these projects are intended to help carry on a legacy of stewardship. Over 10 years, fiscal years 1992 to 2001, the National Scenic Byways Program has provided $157 million for 1,146 projects in 48 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Additional information, brochures and maps can be obtained by calling 1-800-4-BYWAYS (1-800-429-9297) or by going to the National Scenic Byways program website, www.byways.org.

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