About Idaho's Scenic Byways
Idaho has had officially recognized Scenic Routes since June of 1977. In 1991 the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the state of Idaho determined to combine the scenic routes and back country byways of each agency under one umbrella. The Idaho Transportation Department was designated by the Governor as the lead agency responsible for administering the Idaho Scenic Byways Program to meet the requirements of the Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. In March of 1995 the Scenic Byways Advisory Committee was established by Director's memorandum to coordinate Scenic Byways nominations, federal grant application requests, and to advise the Idaho Transportation Board on all Scenic Byways activities. A year later this committee was established as a permanent body by Board Policy B-09-11.
Although there is no specific State funding available for Scenic Byways projects, the National Scenic Byways Program under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) allows for project funding of qualified State Scenic Byways and Back Country Byways which meet certain criteria. There are also related funding categories such as Enhancement and Public Lands Highway funding available for Scenic Byways. The Idaho Transportation Department now offers up to $100,000 in Federal SPR money to fund corridor management plans for Idaho byways. A 20% local match is required.
Important information concerning Idaho’s Byways can also be found on our Scenic Byway website at http://itd.idaho.gov/planning/byways/scenic/.
For more information about tourism in Idaho, please visit www.visitidaho.org.