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Georgia Scenic Byways: Designation Process
GDOT has recently released The Georgia Scenic Byways Designation
Guide. This guide is intended to introduce the Georgia Scenic Byways Program to the public and to assist potential
Scenic Byway sponsors through the designation process. Please also see the
Scenic Byways FAQs,
Intrinsic Qualities Definitions, and
Process Flowchart for more designation information.
In order to uphold high standards for the Georgia scenic byways system, every proposed byway is evaluated according to an
objective set of criteria as described in the Guide. Primary criteria include consideration of the quality of the
road's scenic, cultural, natural, archeological, historic, and/or recreational resources. Additional criteria to
assess a proposed byway's qualification for designation include:
- The corridor's uniqueness
- Its continuity
- The proximity of the roadway to resources
- The potential impact of increased usage on these resources
- The level of local participation and support
- The responsiveness of the local program to the future development and enhancement of the byway.
Each local plan should describe how the community will preserve the distinctive qualities and the overall character of the
designated byways.
The Corridor Management Plan
As part of the requirements for Georgia Scenic Byway designation, the byway sponsors will develop a Corridor Management Plan.
This document is intended to be a tool for local governments and citizens along the byway and it can take many forms.
Its purpose is to identify the key features along the byway, and to spell out in advance how decisions about these
important features will be made, and who will make them.
The Corridor Management Plan is not intended to be a detailed plan for each parcel of land along the route. Instead,
by focusing on byway management, it clarifies how local citizens will assume responsibility for the long-term protection and
enhancement of the byway's key features. No one is better positioned to make informed choices about the byway than the
local residents.
No two Corridor Management Plans are alike because no two byways are alike. All of the people who have a stake in the
byway should have a voice in its management, and the tools that the byway organizers choose to adopt will be customized
according to local needs. GDOT believes that ongoing management is an important part of byway designation. The
qualities that make the byway worthy of designation should be maintained over time.
There are a number of tools available to promote, develop and protect the byway's scenic resources. Different
management tools might be applicable only along certain sections of a byway. A list of sources of more detailed
information on management tools is available from the Georgia Scenic Byways Program.
- INTRINSIC QUALITY INVENTORY
The Intrinsic Quality Inventory is the foundation of the Corridor Management Plan. This inventory establishes
the significance of the byway, records its intrinsic qualities, and collectively lists the attractions that
travelers will come to visit and appreciate. Equally important, this process also identifies any detracting
features that may undermine the intrinsic qualities. Documenting both the strengths and weaknesses of the
proposed byway in the Intrinsic Quality Inventory will help the organizers devise effective scenic byway management
strategies.
- MONITORING SCENIC BYWAYS IN GEORGIA
Because the extent and quality of the byway's resources may change over time, it is desirable to assess each byway
periodically. For existing byways, these assessments will be based on the locally generated Corridor Management Plan,
and may be initiated by the GDOT or by the local governing body having jurisdiction. If the byway has lost the
intrinsic qualities present when it was designated, it will be removed from the list of Georgia Scenic Byways.
- REQUEST FOR ELIGIBILITY APPLICATION MATERIALS
This page is intended to explain the benefits of scenic byway designation and to guide local groups and individuals
through the designation process. Please call us for more details including information about technical
assistance. You may also
for an eligibility application package. Contact Information:
Georgia Department of Transportation
Office of Planning
#2 Capitol Square
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Attn: Scenic Byways Program
Phone: 404-463-0001
Fax: 404-657-5228
E-mail:
Updated November 05, 2007. 13:01
© 2003-2007 Georgia Department of Transportation