ALASKA SCENIC BYWAYS
Cordova, Alaska nomination for the Copper River Highway,
A public meeting was held Jan. 4, 2011 in Cordova to discuss the nomination. Additional information will be available on NVEYAK.ORG website, a KLAM radio call in show in Feb. and
an open house forum at NVE, date TBD in Feb.2011. For more information, please contact Angela Arnold, at Native Village of Eyak (424-7738), Kristin Carpenter at the Copper River Watershed Project (424-3334) or Martin Moe at Cordova Chamber of Commerce (424-7260).
FACT SHEET FOR POSSIBLE NOMINATION OF THE COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AS A STATE AND NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY
WHAT is the Alaska Scenic Byways Program?
WHAT is the National Scenic Byways Program?
Alaska established a Scenic Byways program in 1993 to recognize and celebrate some of the most beautiful landscapes in our state. Administered by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, this program also recognizes routes that provide access to our most scenic areas, cultural riches and recreational resources.
HOW can the Copper River Highway become a Scenic byway?
A grassroots generated nomination to Alaska DOT&PF begins the process. The Native Village of Eyak, in partnership with the City of Cordova, the Chamber of Commerce, the Cordova Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service, the Copper River Watershed Project, Eyak Corporation and the State of Alaska Cordova Public Health Center have held preliminary discussions on nominating the Copper River Highway, from the ferry terminal to the Million Dollar Bridge, as a State and National Scenic Byway. Public input is the next step in the process. A nomination form must be submitted to AK DOT&PF by March, 2011.
WHY? This designation is NOT a regulatory designation, but brings with it many possibilities for enhancing the corridor through economic development grants for:
*bicycle/pedestrian paths
* informational kiosks
* brochures, maps and guidance to camping and hiking facilities,
* marketing packages, support for existing or new events,
* abatements to impacts from sports fishing (ie. 7 mile)
*Corridor partnership plan
