Relates to the New York state scenic byways system

Summary of provisions

Section 1 adds a new paragraph (j-13) to subdivision 1 of Section 349-dd of the highway law to include the "Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway" as a component of the New York State Scenic Byways System. Section 2 provides for the effective date.

Existing law

No current designation exists for the portion of highway which is the subject of the legislation.

Justification

On May 1, 2015, the New York State Scenic Byways Advisory Board, acting upon the nomination of the board of directors of the Central Catskills Collaborative, voted unanimously to recommend the designation of the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway as a New York State Scenic Byway. Legislation is required to formally designate and thus include the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway in the New York State Scenic Byways System.

The 45 mile scenic byway corridor primarily follows New York State Route 28, with short extensions along New York State Routes 42 and 214 through the heart of the Central Catskills, connecting the hamlets of Phoenicia and Pine Hill, the villages of Fleischmanns and Margaretville, and the towns of Olive, Shandaken, Middletown and Andes, all within Ulster and Delaware Counties.

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 New York State 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 Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway have completed all the necessary steps to meet the New York State Scenic Byways Advisory Board's criteria. This included developing a vision statement and goals, identifying significant

features and resources along the corridor, and preparing a comprehensive scenic byway corridor management plan. The route traverses the Catskill Park, a tapestry of public and private lands; passes the state operated Belleayre Mountain Ski Center at the boundary between Ulster and Delaware Counties; provides a stunning panorama atop Palmer Hill in Andes, and links two of New York City's largest reservoirs.

The Central Catskill Collaborative, through a series of documented public meetings, defined a vision for the proposed Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway corridor that provides for the conservation and enhancement of the underlying intrinsic resources, while fostering the promotion of tourism and economic development. It aims to improve the economic well being of the Central Catskills by enhancing and promoting its historical, cultural, recreational, and scenic resources. The collective energies of the involved local governments, public agencies, non-profit organizations, and citizens illustrate regional cooperation and forward looking commitment.

Many benefits may accrue to communities through which scenic byways pass including: increased economic benefits through promotion of tourism, improved traveler and community services, broadened appreciation of the state's historic and natural resources and support for managing and maintaining these resources, improved management of resources to accommodate visitors, more careful stewardship of the byway corridor, appropriate signs, incorporation of design features in keeping with the attributes of a scenic byway and grants to develop the scenic byway. It is desirable to have the byways designation made as soon as possible so that efforts to carry out the objectives of the scenic byways program can get underway within the corridor while the momentum and enthusiasm that resulted in the nomination are still high.

Legislative history

New bill

Fiscal implications

Minimal -- installation of scenic byway route marker signs, in accordance with accepted state practice, along the 45 mile corridor extension.

Effective date

Immediate