The Volcanic Legacy Community Partnership has announced the completion of their updated Corridor Management Plan for the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway. The 500-mile route from Crater Lake in Oregon to Lassen Park and Lake Almanor, which takes visitors past numerous volcanoes, is recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for one or more of six “intrinsic qualities”: archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic.
It is composed of two separate National Scenic Byways, the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway – Oregon and Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway – California. The latter also wholly includes the Lassen Scenic Byway.
Elizabeth Norton, President of the Volcanic Legacy Community Partnership, describes the route, “It passes through dense, mountainous forests, across broad wetlands and clear streams and through pastoral farms and ranches.”
“This region was molded by its fiery volcanic past over millions of years and the southern Cascade mountains are clearly the star attraction.”
The Oregon segment of the Byway was first designated in 1997 by the US Federal Highway Administration; the California segment followed in 2002. It achieved the distinction of being designated an All-American Road in 2002 and, according to Norton, is one of just 31 in the nation.
Management of the Byway is guided by a Corridor Management Plan. Each state prepared their own Corridor Management Plan during the nomination process almost two decades ago.
The updated CMP reflects on what the two previous CMPs recommended or projected in terms of byway protection, visitor services and economic benefits.
The 2018 CMP highlights accomplishments and identifies new byway initiatives for the next two decades. It also recommends scenic guidelines to preserve natural appearing viewsheds along the Byway and to enhance local community beautification efforts.
“The Byway is an important driver of tourism and local employment for nearby communities,” said Norton.
“Preparing this new Corridor Management Plan was a bi-state partnership effort which will continue as we enter the implementation phase,” Norton continued.
“The Byway is a vital economic engine in our region. If we all preserve the intrinsic qualities for which it was designated, the Byway will contribute so much more than being a beautiful drive.”
Hard copies of the CMP were distributed to various agency and community partners in Oregon and California to guide local planning and development efforts.
E-copies the CMP may be obtained from the Volcanic Legacy Community Partnership.
