West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN Revised July 2019 by the Byway’s Steering Committee West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway Corridor Management Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary....................................................................................................................................................5 Vision and Mission .....................................................................................................................................................5 Establishment and Accomplishments .........................................................................................................................5 Chapter 1 - Location and Description ........................................................................................................................7 Byway Corridor ......................................................................................................................................................8 Land Ownership and Administrative Jurisdictions ................................................................................................8 Landscape Character and Land Use .......................................................................................................................9 Chapter 2 - Intrinsic Qualities ................................................................................................................................. 13 Scenic Resources ................................................................................................................................................. 13 Natural Resources ................................................................................................................................................ 15 Historic and Cultural Resources .......................................................................................................................... 15 Archaeological Resources ................................................................................................................................... 18 Recreational Resources ...................................................................................................................................... 18 Developed Recreation ..................................................................................................................................... 19 Undeveloped Recreation ................................................................................................................................. 20 Community Festivals and Events .................................................................................................................... 21 Chapter 3 - Resource Protection .............................................................................................................................. 22 Existing Conditions ......................................................................................................................................... 22 Pressures and Risks to Byway Resources .................................................................................................... 24 Resource Vulnerability .............................................................................................................................. 24 Resource Significance and Sensitivity ................................................................................................... 24 Management Direction ........................................................................................................................................ 26 Goals and Objectives ....................................................................................................................................... 26 Byway Resource Protection Plan .................................................................................................................... 27 Implementation ........................................................................................................................................... 31 Chapter 4 – Interpretation ........................................................................................................................................ 32 Existing conditions .............................................................................................................................................. 32 Wayside Exhibits/Interpretive Panels .............................................................................................................. 32 Kiosks and Visitor Centers .............................................................................................................................. 35 Signage ............................................................................................................................................................ 35 Printed Media .................................................................................................................................................. 35 Management Issues and Opportunities ................................................................................................................ 36 2 West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway Corridor Management Plan Interpretive Themes and Topics ...................................................................................................................... 36 Wayside Exhibits/Interpretive panels .............................................................................................................. 36 Other Interpretive Media ................................................................................................................................. 37 Signage and Parking ........................................................................................................................................ 37 Action Items ........................................................................................................................................................ 38 Chapter 5 - Transportation (Highways, Transit, and Trails) ................................................................................... 39 Highway Segments .............................................................................................................................................. 39 Traffic Volume ................................................................................................................................................ 40 Signage ............................................................................................................................................................ 40 Existing Road Shoulder Conditions ................................................................................................................ 40 Highway and Bicycle Safety ........................................................................................................................... 41 Public and Private Transit ................................................................................................................................... 41 Existing Trails and Trail Plans ............................................................................................................................ 42 Byway Trails Status ......................................................................................................................................... 44 Plan Elements for Trails .................................................................................................................................. 44 Implementation ................................................................................................................................................ 45 Goals and Objectives ....................................................................................................................................... 46 Chapter 6 - Marketing ............................................................................................................................................. 47 The Byway’s Marketing Philosophy ................................................................................................................... 47 Goals and Objectives ........................................................................................................................................... 47 Issues and Opportunities ...................................................................................................................................... 47 Marketing Partners .............................................................................................................................................. 48 Implementation .................................................................................................................................................... 48 Chapter 7 - Byway Organization ............................................................................................................................. 49 Chapter 8 – Conceptual Master Plan ....................................................................................................................... 50 Plan Development ............................................................................................................................................... 50 Plan Overview ....................................................................................................................................................