Approximately two dozen property owners learned Thursday that if Hwy. 228 and Hwy. 20 from Brownsville to the Santiam Pass are listed as a Scenic Byway, they are not in danger of facing increased restrictions on what they can or can’t do with their lands.
Brian McGinley, a resource planner for the Sweet Home Ranger District, said the meeting held at the Jim Riggs Community Center, followed one held on Wednesday in Brownsville.
Sweet Home Mayor Tim McQueary said he has been involved with the scenic byway plan for about two years and sees it as a positive opportunity for all of the towns along the proposed route.
“It is by far the least encumbering of any state program I’ve ever been involved with,” Mayor McQueary said.
He called the proposal a perfect route that includes the historical aspect of Brownsville, the Indian cultures of the Calapooia region and the beautiful scenery of the Cascade Mountains.
Members of a committee that have been working toward the designation include McQueary, David Cline, city administrator of Brownsville; Kathleen Swayze, Brownsville mayor; Karen Owen, local economic development coordinator; City Manger Craig Martin, and Joanne West of the Sweet Home Ranger District.
“This is not a national forest or federal process,” McGinley said. This is a community based process.”
City Manager Craig Martin concurred with Mayor McQueary that the drive would offer travelers outstanding opportunities.
The only two requirements of a scenic byway designation are that a corridor management plan be developed and that if designated, offsite business signage is restricted.
The corridor management plan would include information on how the byway would be marketed and promoted and what types of long-term improvements might be implemented (i.e. information kiosks, scenic pull outs, etc.).
Martin said he would hope that the byway designation would raise the political importance of Highway 20 in terms of dollars spent for improvements and keeping the road open during winter storms.
Karen Owen said the byway could increase tourism potential for the area which means economic development in small communities such as Brownsville and Sweet Home.
Informally called the Calapooia/South Santiam Scenic Byway, the route would provide several unique viewing opportunities from the valley floor to the pass.
Vewpoints by area include:
Valley floor: flat, wide open grasslands, view of upcoming mountains, Molalla/Calapooia tribal use, California/Oregon trail, early valley settlements.
Foothills of Cascades: rolled forested hills, narrower valley, forested foreground scenery, covered bridges, recreational boating, state and county parks, Native American winter camps.
Cascade Rivers-Sweet Home to Mountain House: high energy Cascade streams, working forested landscapes, river setting along highway, developed recreation use, intersects Santiam Wagon Road, East/West Native American travel route.
Old Cascades-Mtn. House to Tombstone: steep unstable geography, rock outcrops, old-growth forests, dispersed recreation use, Iron Mountain wildflowers, Native American summer camps.
Transition to new Cascades-Tombstone to Hwy. 126: volcanic and glacial land forms, wide valleys with open views, striking fall colors, connects to North/South scenic routes, old growth forest setting, winter recreation zone.
A short video described the history of the scenic byway program.
Questions from the audience included:
Q. Will this increase trespassing?
A. Doubtful since most persons who travel the scenic byways are doing to so enjoy the beauty of the area.
Q. Will my property taxes be increased?
A.Not because you live along a scenic byway.
Q. Will the government want to rebuild Hwy. 20 and again disrupt downtown business?
A. No.
McGinley said the committee would like to have a preliminary draft plan ready for public review within two weeks. Audience members were encouraged to put their thoughts and questions in writing to be consided in developing that plan.