What do you think of the byway project?

CALLICOON — A public meeting will be held on March 26 to describe and get public input on the "Enhancement Concept for the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway" proposed for New York State Route 97. The meeting will be held from 7:15 to 9:00 p.m., at the Callicoon Youth Center. One hour prior to the meeting, refreshments will be available and the public will have a chance to view the project maps.

The Enhancement Concept is the culmination of a year-long planning process that began in May 2000, with the goal of designating Route 97 as a New York State Scenic Byway. The State Scenic Byway program is designed to recognize roads "of regionally outstanding scenic, natural, recreational, cultural, historic or archaeological significance... [that] offer an alternative travel route to our major highways anal daily travel patterns, while telling a story about New York State's heritage, recreational activities or beauty." (excerpted from the "New York State Scenic Byways Program Nomination handbook”)

The byway planning process has occurred through monthly meetings of the Scenic Byway Committee, a group made up of nearly 50 local residents and elected officials from Sullivan County and each of the towns, villages, and cities along the route. Representatives from the Sullivan County Planning Division, New York Department of Transportation, the Upper Delaware Council and the National Park Service serve as advisors to the. HRG Consultants, Inc., a heritage planning firm based in Washington, D.C., and Shepstone Management Company from Honesdale were hired to facilitate the meetings and coordinate the process

The planning process began with the formulation of a vision and goals, which was followed by an inventory of the historic, scenic, natural, cultural, and recreational resources found along the byway. Significant issues were identified and strategies for addressing them and achieving the goals were developed. The committee members have been crafting the strategies with an emphasis on local implementation.

The March 26 meeting will provide the public with an overview of the entire Enhancement Concept and a detailed description of the strategies. Strategies are being recommended for transportation, interpretation, tourism and management of the byway. The meeting will conclude with a question and answer period, during which the public will be asked to provide input on the recommended strategies.

All interested individuals are encouraged to attend. The planning phase oŁ the project is nearing its completion, and the public is urged to stay involved so that the end product reflects the desires of the entire byway community.

In April the Enhancement Concept will be presented to the New. York State Scenic Byways Advisory Board, which will determine whether or not to designate Route 97 a State Scenic Byway.