‘Scenic Byway’ Sought But Corridor Plan Needed

Designating county roads leading to the City of Rocks National Reserve as a “scenic byway” would bring federal dollars and tourists.

But first Cassia County’s effort to designate a scenic byway will require a local plan to manage roadside development.

The plan - called a corridor management plan - would set guidelines designed to preserve the scenic and historical character along the road and draw tourists to the area, County Administrator Tim Hurst said.

Before the plan can be turned into zoning law, however, commissioners would be required to conduct a series of public meetings, Hurst said.

Under federal law an area cannot get scenic byway status unless it has a corridor management plan in place, said Garry Young, the state’s scenic byway coordinator in Boise. Idaho has 14 scenic byways.

If communities do not adhere to the management plan, byways can lose their designation and the federal grant money that comes with it would dry up, Young said.

The federal money pays for roadside enhancements, such as rest areas, scenic turnouts, tourist centers and signs, Young said.