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Take action in support of scenic byways funding today!

The "Reviving America's Scenic Byways Act of 2019" is now law, and the nomination process for new byways is set to be announced soon. But our work is not done!

Help ensure that America's byways reach their full potential by asking your U.S. Representative and Senators to support funding for scenic byways. Fill in the form at right, personalize the message that follows and click send!

Your letter will be delivered to your Members of Congress and they'll know you support funding our country's scenic byways.

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Take action in support of scenic byways funding today!

The "Reviving America's Scenic Byways Act of 2019" is now law, and the nomination process for new byways is set to be announced soon. But our work is not done!

Your letter will be delivered to your Members of Congress and they'll know you support funding our country's scenic byways.

U.S. Senate

Subject: Please support funding for scenic byways

Message:

I am writing to ask that you support funding for scenic byways in any upcoming transportation reauthorization legislation. In September 2019 the president signed the "Reviving America's Scenic Byways Act of 2019," which requires the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to reopen the nomination process for the National Scenic Byway Program. The program has been dormant since Congress pulled support for it in 2012. Reopening of the nomination process is a huge victory and will be a boost to scenic byway supporters everywhere. However, funding is still needed for the program. The lack of funding has stymied the National Scenic Byways Program's ability to reach its full potential as a driver of economic development and job creation. Funding is needed to support two aspects of the program: • Funding is needed to support the Byways program and we seek support for funding over the course of the bill starting in the first year of $50 million for competitive grants within the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The funds will support a nationwide effort and allow the 1,000+ existing state scenic byways, and new ones to compete for the funds. In 2012, the last year grants were awarded, 125 byways in 44 states were awarded grants to complete projects ranging from installing new interpretative and directional signs to the building of visitor centers and rest areas. Scenic byways are stewarded by local stakeholder groups who volunteer countless hours in support of their byways, and these grants are often combined with local public and private investment to improve the byway experience, increasing the draw to visitors and creating a large return on investment. Without funding, rural and suburban communities along these byways are missing out on the economic development opportunities provided by a road’s designation as a National Scenic Byway. • Fund a FHWA Quality Assistance Program. To ensure the success of the program, we support $3 million per year to fund a FHWA Quality Assistance Program to support assistance to the Byways themselves. FHWA can contract the oversight of this program to nonprofit entities, to monitor the byways and ensure the designees continue to meet the criteria and basis for the Secretary’s original designation; conducts research to advance the understanding of scenic byways’ economic benefits; and provides customized technical assistance including mapping, fact sheets and training to improve a scenic byway’s performance. I appreciate your attention to this important issue and look forward to hearing how you will act on scenic byways funding in transportation reauthorization legislation. Sincerely,

Remaining:

U.S. House of Representatives

Subject: Please support funding for scenic byways

Message:

Remaining:

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