News Release
USDA Forest Service
Washington, D.C.
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FS-0026 |
Contact:
Joe Walsh, 202-205-1134 |
NEW ALL-AMERICAN
ROADS, NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAYS DESIGNATED IN NATIONAL
FORESTS
WASHINGTON, June 21, 2000 -- Eight
of 30 newly designated All-American Roads and National
Scenic Byways are located in or pass through national
forests, the Department of Transportation and the
U.S. Department of Agricultures Forest Service
have announced. The roads are recognized for their
important scenic, natural, historical, cultural,
archaeological or recreational qualities.
The Forest Service is pleased that the inspiring
scenic beauty of the national forests continues
to receive recognition, said Forest Service
Chief Mike Dombeck. The All-American Roads
and National Scenic Byways are national treasures
for all to enjoy. Many of these roads, while not
entering national forests, provide easy, nearby
access, Dombeck added.
All-American Roads provide motorists an exceptional
traveling experience that makes the byway a primary
reason for the trip. National Scenic Byways are
exceptional roads that offer regionally distinct
cultural, historic, natural or other qualities.
Anyone can nominate a road for the special designations.
The nominations are made through states and reviewed
by a national panel of experts. DOTs Federal
Highway Administration manages the National Scenic
Byways Program.
Todays announcement adds to some 7,700 miles
of existing nationally recognized scenic roads in
national forests.
The following are the newly designated scenic byways
in or through national forests:
1) Alaska: The Seward Highway All American Road
runs 127 miles from Seward to Anchorage, as it traverses
Chugach National Forests diverse meadows and
mountain vistas.
2) Georgia: Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway National
Scenic Byway loops more than 40 miles through the
mountains and fields in the Chattahoochee National
Forest.
3) Minnesota: The North Shore Scenic Drive All
American Road runs more than 122 miles from Two
Harbors to Grand Portage through Superior National
Forest along the shore of Lake Superior.
4) Montana and Wyoming: From the Northeast Entrance
of Yellowstone National Park, Beartooth Scenic Byway
All American Road weaves through Custer and Shoshone
National Forests. The spectacular Alpine highway
runs almost 69 miles to Red Lodge, Montana.
5) New Mexico: The Turquoise Trail National Scenic
Byway begins in two branches east of Albuquerque
near the Sandia Mountain Wilderness and in the Cibola
National Forest. At San Antonio, the two branches
become one byway passing through unique geological
formations before ending at Interstate 25 southwest
of Santa Fe some 61 miles from the start.
6) Oregon: The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway All American
Road curves eastward from La Grande around and through
parts of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.
7) Oregon: West Cascades Scenic Byway National
Scenic Byway traverses Mount Hood and Willamette
National Forests, twisting 220 miles through lush
ancient forests.
8) Utah: The Energy Loop: Huntington and Eccles
Canyons Scenic Byways National Scenic Byway winds
86 miles through the Manti-La Sal National Forest
through striking vistas and historic cultural sites.
For additional information on the National Scenic
Byways Program, contact: Lori Irving, DOT, 202-366-0660.
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