The Open Road Needs Your Help!

Thanks to action taken by Scenic America and the RV industry, last September President Trump signed the Reviving America’s Scenic Byways Act of 2019 into law. The law requires the Secretary of Transportation to designate new National Scenic Byways. These Byways both protect America’s scenic and historic places and contribute to strong local economies by facilitating the travel and tourism that leads to economic development in the nearby communities.

Recently, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released the INVEST in America Act, its version of surface transportation reauthorization, but unfortunately, Scenic Byways funding was not included in the initial draft. Tomorrow, however, the T&I Committee will markup the legislation and Rep. Maloney (D-NY) has filed a funding amendment. Once again, Scenic Byways needs your help! We have good reason to believe that with enough of a push, we can get Scenic Byways funded in this bill.

As Scenic America notes on their website, a 2010 University of Minnesota report found the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway and nearby Lake County Scenic Byway generated $21.6 million in economic benefits for rural northern Minnesota communities. Similarly, Utah's Scenic Byway 12 earned $13 million in local spending, according to a 2013 study. RVers are among those that benefit most from these improved and protected roads, allowing them to travel to beautiful places and experience the surrounding communities.

The National Scenic Byways Program was created in 1991 with bipartisan support to recognize historic, scenic, recreational, architectural, natural, and culturally important roads by creating an official designation as a “National Scenic Byway.” Because of the bipartisan Reviving America’s Scenic Byways Act of 2019, the program is accepting new nominations, but it has not been funded since 2012. Funding the program would serve as a quick boost to communities hit hard by COVID-19 and ensure that people who are RVing this year, whether for the first time or the hundredth, can travel on the iconic roads that they envision when they think of a great American road trip.

Please take a moment to contact your representative and urge them to support funding this important program.

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