Expands the Western New York Southtowns scenic byway in the county of Cattaraugus

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Amends paragraph j-10 of subdivision 1 of Section 349-dd of the Highway Law to include the "Western New York Southtowns Scenic Byway" expansion as a component of the New York State Scenic Byways System, and designates these portions of the highways as an extension to the "Western New York Southtowns Scenic Byway".

Section 2. Provides that this act shall take effect immediately.

Existing law

Section 349-dd, subdivision 1, of the Highway Law enumerates the compo- nents of the New York State Scenic Byways System.

Justification

On May 1, 2015, the New York State Scenic Byways Advisory Board, acting upon the nomination of the Board of Directors of the Western New York Southtowns Scenic Byway, recommend the inclusion of the herein defined expanded route in the New York State Scenic Byways System. To be formal- ly designated and thus included in the New York State Scenic Byways System, legislation is needed.

The 37-mile extension of the existing corridor loop includes portions of United States Route 219, New York State Route 240, and New York State Route 242. The expanded route is almost entirely in Cattaraugus County, within the Town of Ashford, the Town of Ellicottville, and the Village of Ellicottville. This provides for the connection of the expanded route to the already State-designated Western New York Southtowns Scenic Byway.

The Legislature established the Scenic Byways Program in the Department of Transportation in 1992 to create a statewide system of scenic byways and to coordinate the activities of state agencies, local governments, and not-for-profit organizations into one comprehensive program The Scenic Byways Advisory Board, responsible for carrying out the intent of the legislation that created the program, has adopted rigorous criteria to ensure communities seeking scenic byways designation for a highway are committed to the scenic, historic, natural, recreational, cultural, and archeological resources associated with the proposed byway.

The communities located along the proposed expanded route of the Western New York Southtowns Scenic Byway have completed all the necessary steps to meet the New York State Scenic Byways Advisory Board's criteria. This includes identifying significant features and resources along the expanded corridor, and preparing an amendment to the Western New York Southtowns Scenic Byway's initial Corridor Management Plan dated from 2008. This expansion unites Erie County, particularly the Town of Orchard Park, the Town of Aurora, the Town of Boston, the Town of Colden, the Town of Concord, the Village of Orchard Park, the Village of East Aurora, and the Village of Springville, with Cattaraugus County, particularly the Town of Ashford, the Town of Ellicottville, and the Village of Ellicottville, in a combined effort to achieve the vision described in the Original and Amended Corridor Management Plan.

The Western New York Southtowns Scenic Byway, through a series of public meetings, defined a vision for the scenic byway corridor that provides for the conservation and enhancement of the underlying intrinsic resources, while fostering the promotion of tourism and economic devel- opment. To achieve their vision they have successfully developed publ- ic-private partnerships of citizens, businesses, and public officials.

Legislative history

Amendment to Senate Bill 7210/Assembly Bill 10304 of 2008, establishing the Western New York Southtowns Scenic Byway.

Fiscal implications

Fiscal impact to the State is limited to the installation of Scenic Byway route marker signs, in accordance with accepted state practice, along the 37-mile corridor extension. The designation would allow for the added municipalities along the designated byway extension to be eligible for federal funding under the National Scenic Byways Program, Transportation Enhancements Program, and Transportation Alternatives Program.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately