BILL NUMBER:S5818

TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the highway law, in relation to adding the Seneca Lake
scenic byway into the state scenic byways system

PURPOSE:
To add portions of New York State Route 414 to the New York State Scenic
Byways System and designate it as the Seneca Lake Scenic Byway.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Adds a new paragraph (j-11) to subdivision 1 of 349-dd of the Highway
Law including the Seneca Lake Scenic Byway as a component of the New
York State Scenic Byways System.

EXISTING LAW:
349-dd, subdivision 1 of the Highway Law enumerates the components of
the State Scenic Byways System.

JUSTIFICATION:
On December 9, 2010, the NYS Scenic Byways Advisory Board, acting upon
the nomination of the Seneca Lake Scenic Byway Steering Committee,
recommended the designation of the Seneca Lake Scenic Byway as a New
York State Scenic Byway. To be formally designated and thus included in
the New York State Scenic Byways System, legislation is needed.

              

The 18-mile corridor follows portions of New York State Route 414, as a
New York State Scenic Byway, connecting the Towns of Hector and Lodi in
Schuyler and Seneca 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
Scenic Byways Advisory Board, responsible for carrying out the intent of
the legislation that created the program has adopted rigorous criteria
to insure that communities seeking scenic byways designation for a high-
way are committed to the scenic, historic, natural, recreational,
cultural and archeological resources associated with the proposed byway.

The communities located along the proposed Seneca Lake Scenic Byway have
completed all the steps necessary to meet the Board's criteria.  This
included developing a vision statement and goals, identifying signif-
icant features and resources along the corridor, and preparing a compre-
hensive Corridor Management Plan. Rich in natural landscape, recreation-
al opportunities, and diverse history, the proposed NYS Route 414 Seneca
Lake Scenic Byway provides visitors and residents 18 miles of unsur-
passed natural beauty. This corridor provides incredible views of roll-
ing vineyards, orchards and breath taking vistas of the Hector and Lodi
rural community on Seneca Lake, while also highlighting the rich history
and traditions predating the arrival of Europeans to the area.

The Seneca Lake Scenic Byway Steering Committee, through a series of
public meetings, defined a vision for the scenic byway corridor that
provides for the conservation and enhancement of the underlying
resources, while fostering the promotion of tourism and economic devel-
opment. This will be accomplished by conserving and highlighting the
scenic beauty of the region through publicly endorsed and supported
action plans: attracting increased economic activity along the Route,
supporting tourist activity through byway appropriate enhancements,
coordinating interpretation, promotion and signage. To achieve their
vision, it is planned to involve public-private partnerships of citi-
zens, businesses and public officials.

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 accom-
modate visitors, more careful stewardship of the byway corridor, appro-
priate 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.

This proposal has no fiscal implications for the State. However, it
would allow the municipalities along the designated byway to be eligible
for federal funding under the National Scenic Byways Program.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.