Palms to Pines Scenic Byway
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PALMS TO PINES STATE SCENIC HIGHWAY CALIFORNIA STATE ROUTES 243 AND 74 June 2012 This document was produced by USDA Forest Service Recreation Solutions Enterprise Team with support from the Federal Highway Administration and in partnership with the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, the Bureau of Land Management, the California Department of Transportation, California State University, Chico Research Foundation and many local partners. The USDA, the BLM, FHWA and State of California are equal opportunity providers and employers. In accordance with Federal law, U.S. Department of Agriculture policy and U.S. Department of Interior policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720- 5964 (voice and TDD). Table of Contents Chapter 1 – The Palms to Pines Scenic Byway .........................................................................1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 Benefits of National Scenic Byway Designation .......................................................................... 2 Corridor Management Planning .................................................................................................. 3 Niche, Vision and Goals ............................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 2 – Intrinsic Qualities .................................................................................................7 Scenic Environment ..................................................................................................................... 7 Natural Environment ................................................................................................................... 9 Historical Resources .................................................................................................................. 14 Cultural Expressions .................................................................................................................. 18 Archaeological Resources .......................................................................................................... 23 Recreational Resources ............................................................................................................. 23 Chapter 3 – Land Management and Protection Strategies ..................................................... 39 Land Management .................................................................................................................... 39 Scenic Resource Strategies ........................................................................................................ 44 Natural Resource Strategies ...................................................................................................... 50 Historical, Cultural, Archaeological Resource Strategies .......................................................... 61 Recreation Resource Strategies ................................................................................................ 65 Chapter 4 – Highway Condition and Transportation Safety .................................................... 75 Designations .............................................................................................................................. 76 Roadway Maintenance .............................................................................................................. 76 California’s State Scenic Highway Program ............................................................................... 77 Average Daily Traffic .................................................................................................................. 78 Accidents ................................................................................................................................... 80 Law Enforcement ....................................................................................................................... 80 Desired Highway Features ......................................................................................................... 80 Projects and Proposals .............................................................................................................. 88 Chapter 5 – Commerce and Development ............................................................................. 91 Commerce ................................................................................................................................. 91 Development Plan ..................................................................................................................... 93 i Design Guidelines ...................................................................................................................... 95 Chapter 6 – Identity and Interpretation Signing .................................................................... 99 Signs, Icons, and Byway Identity ............................................................................................... 99 Information, Orientation, and Interpretive Signs ...................................................................... 99 Funding and Maintenance ....................................................................................................... 100 Outdoor Advertising Controls ................................................................................................. 100 Chapter 7 – Interpretive Plan .............................................................................................. 101 Interpretation .......................................................................................................................... 101 Intrinsic Features ..................................................................................................................... 102 Visitor Demographic ................................................................................................................ 103 Existing and Potential Interpretation ...................................................................................... 104 Creating a Visual Identity ........................................................................................................ 119 Priorities .................................................................................................................................. 121 Chapter 8 – Messaging About the Palms to Pines Scenic Byway ........................................... 125 Situation Analysis .................................................................................................................... 126 Trends (Demographic, Lifestyle, Travel) .................................................................................. 129 SWOT Analysis of the Palms to Pines Scenic Byway................................................................ 131 PEST (Political, Economic, Social, Technological) .................................................................... 132 Positioning Strategy and Message Development .................................................................... 132 Revisiting the Goals and Objectives for the Corridor Management Plan and Interpretation Plan .......................................................................................................................................... 145 Interpretation Themes ............................................................................................................ 146 Messaging Goal and Communication Objectives .................................................................... 147 Chapter 9 – Implementation and Funding ........................................................................... 153 Implementation Activities and Responsibilities ...................................................................... 153 Funding Opportunities ............................................................................................................ 158 Appendix A – Map Appendix B – References and Bibliography Appendix C– Sign Inventory Appendix D – 1969 Plan and Action Program for the “Pines to Palms” Scenic Corridor Appendix E – Palms to Pines [National Forest] Scenic Byway Nomination Report ii LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES Table 1. Wildlife Watching Locations along the Byway ................................................................. 13 Table 2. Natural and Cultural History Organizations ..................................................................... 16 Table 3. Camping, Trail Access and Other Recreational Sites along the Byway ............................ 27 Table 4. AADT for SRs 74 and 243 over the previous decade. ...................................................... 79 Table 5. Site-specific Safety Improvement Suggestions* .............................................................. 82 Table 6. Hospitality Infrastructure along the Palms to Pines Scenic Byway ................................. 92 Table 7. New and Existing Interpretation Recommendations .................................................... 123 Table 8. Key Themes from Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats Analysis .......... 131 Table 9. Key Themes from Political,