N.Y. Highway Law § 349-bb: New York state scenic byways program

§ 349-bb. New York state scenic byways program. 1. The commissioner

shall establish within the department a program to be known as the New

York state scenic byways program (hereinafter referred to as scenic

byways program or program) to encourage and coordinate state actions and

the activities of others which relate to the development, protection,

promotion and management of scenic byways. For the purposes of this

article, a "scenic byway" is a transportation route and adjacent area of

particular scenic, historic, recreational, cultural or archeological

characteristics which is managed to protect such characteristics and to

encourage economic development through tourism and recreation.

2. To carry out the purposes of the scenic byways program, the

commissioner is authorized:

(a) to plan, design, and develop the New York state scenic byways

system;

(b) to make safety improvements to a highway designated as a scenic

byway under this article to the extent such improvements are necessary

to accommodate increased traffic, and changes in the types of vehicles

using the highway due to such designation;

(c) to construct along the highway facilities for the use of

pedestrians and bicyclists, rest areas, turnouts, highway shoulder

improvements, passing lanes, overlooks, and interpretive facilities;

(d) to improve the highway to enhance access to an area for the

purpose of recreation, including water-related recreation;

(e) to protect historical and cultural resources in areas adjacent to

the highway; and

(f) to develop and provide tourist information to the public,

including interpretive information about the scenic byway.

2. The commissioner is hereby authorized to apply for funding from any

appropriate sources to further the purposes of the scenic byways

program.

3. The commissioner is hereby authorized to enter into contracts with

qualified, responsible not-for-profit organizations involved in scenic

byways activities for services relating to the development of the New

York state scenic byways program or services relating to the operation,

development or promotion of a specific scenic byway.

4. The commissioner is authorized to promulgate such regulations as

may be necessary or desirable to implement the New York state scenic

byways program.