Partners to sign Memorandum of Understanding for Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway

RED BLUFF, Calif., Oct. 7 - On Oct. 14, representatives from seven counties and 38 government agencies, federally  recognized tribes, and nonprofit organizations will meet in Mt. Shasta, Calif., to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate the cooperative planning and management of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, All American Road.

"The signing of this MOU by all of these diverse partners is an outstanding example of cooperation," said John Halligan, representative for the Ore-Cal Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council. "It is the first step to achieving the economic benefits promised by the designation of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway as an All America Road."

Ore-Cal RC&D, Fremont-Winema National Forests, Lassen National Forest, and the Volcanic Legacy Community Partnership put together the MOU, which creates a process that will facilitate Byway planning and development along its entire 500-mile length. The purpose of the MOU is to establish a joint policy allowing the partners to work collaboratively to plan, implement, and manage the Byway in accordance with the Volcanic Legacy Byway's Corridor Management Plan.

Through a campaign led by Ore-Cal RC&D, the California portion of The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, from the Oregon border to Lassen Volcanic National Park, was designated an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration in June 2002. This augmented the 1998 All-American Road designation of the Oregon section of the Byway, from Crater Lake National Park to the California border.

According to a 2001 economic impact analysis report, the All-American Road designation may increase economic output in the region by $79 million and create as many as 1,232 new jobs by the year 2025. These economic improvements will likely occur within the many small rural communities along the 500 mile route.

The signing will take place from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. in Mt. Shasta at the former Roseburg timber mill site. This location is also the future site of a proposed $10 million Volcanic Legacy Discovery Center that will include a regional natural history museum and provide information on regional recreational opportunities. Food and other refreshments will be provided by the Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce. The event is open to the public, but those attending should RSVP before Oct. 12.

To RSVP or for more information, call Ore-Cal RC&D at (530) 397-7463.

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