National Scenic Byways Program US Department of Transportation

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National Scenic Byways Program US Department of Transportation Abstract The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments in partnership with Cowlitz, Skamania and Lewis Counties and the U.S. Forest Service, is seeking funding ($175,000) to develop the Fire and Ice Scenic Loop organization to promote tourism and economic development within the region. The Fire and Ice Scenic Loop includes two scenic byways- the White Pass Scenic Byway in Lewis and Yakima Counties and the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Byway in Skamania County. The Fire and Ice Loop will link the byways through a series of existing routes: Wind River Road, National Forest Road 90 (Curly Creek Road), National Forest Road 25, and State Routes 503 and 504 in Cowlitz County. Interstate 5 The Fire and Ice Scenic Loop was identified by the Mt. St. Helens Advisory Committee as a key opportunity to expand the tourism opportunities in the July 2009 Recommendations to the Washington Congressional Delegation regarding future opportunities for expansion of Mt. St. Helens tourism, marketing and development activities. The Fire and Ice Loop partnership will: Develop an outreach strategy to include community participation that will include tourism and business partners, non-profits, and stakeholders along the loop. Conduct community meetings to identify interest, capacity, commitment, goals, objectives, and key participants including the original Ring of Fire Committee. Develop a corridor management plan to identify tourism opportunities to include winter and summer recreation, tourism services (including marketing, branding, signage, and event coordination), cultural and geologic feature inventory, itinerary development, funding, and accessibility. The development of the Fire and Ice Scenic Loop will benefit the traveler by providing access to regional scenic sites and continued commitment by stakeholders to promote the region by elevating or expanding tourism activities and infrastructure. By expanding the quality and quantity of tourism sites throughout the region will increase visitor interest and provide an itinerary with a wide range of activities. The approximately 400 mile loop links the natural 3

beauty of Mt. Rainier and White Pass, the world-renowned Columbia Gorge and the infamous Mt. St. Helens. Project Narrative The Fire and Ice Scenic Loop is located in Southwest Washington. The region includes the Washington State side of the Columbia Gorge, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mt. Rainier National Forest, Mt. St. Helens Monument, and the White Pass Scenic Byway. The loop includes State Routes 503 and 504 which run east-west on the north and south edge of Cowlitz County. In July 2009, the Mt. St. Helens Advisory Committee (MSHAC), formed at the request of the region s Congressional Delegation, which included elected officials and stakeholders from Lewis, Skamania and Cowlitz Counties, concluded their discussions and released a series of recommendations. The committee focused on eight topic areas: Access; Infrastructure; Recreation; Conservation; Science; Industry; Tourism; and Management Model. In June 2009, the Ring of Fire Committee was initiated to follow the recommendations of the MSHAC to examine tourism and economic development opportunities and the development of the loop. The Ring of Fire Committee identified key elements to promote the region that included geology, recreation, nature, communities, and cultural resources. In addition, a draft vision was established: To create and launch a regional organization that whose focus is to create, promote, and maintain a new tourism loop through Skamania, Clark and Cowlitz Counties. Lewis County s involvement was introduced in following meetings as a critical element and link to the loop. The Ring of Fire Committee identified the need for a loop to expand tourism and economic opportunities. The ability to access the region year-round was identified as a key aspect that limited the region s opportunities. In addition, expansion of tourist destinations was critical including campgrounds, trailheads, horse camps, ATV/Snow Parks, and visitor/interpretive centers. The need to inventory geologic, cultural, historical, restroom, lodging and food, and shopping opportunities was also important. In January 2010, the Committee met and reviewed additional needs including marketing/visitor services, website coordination, collateral materials, maps, and events. Funding was a key issue to continue the efforts of the committee. By creating and designating the Fire and Ice Scenic Loop, the region s tourism opportunities will be elevated to a national level by expanding collaborative efforts already established, and the support existing efforts by the two scenic byways. Also, stakeholders would benefit from 4

economic opportunities with an increase in visitors attributed to the loop. Travelers will benefit with multi-day itineraries and events. The entities will develop a multi-faceted marketing campaign through coordinated signage, websites, branding, materials and efforts including seeking a sustainable funding source. To prepare for Fire and Ice Scenic Loop Corridor Management Plan, the organization will: Reconvene and reorganize the Ring of Fire Scenic Loop committee to include Lewis County stakeholders. Identify public and stakeholder involvement to begin the corridor management plan. Develop Fire and Ice Scenic Loop Goals and Objectives and create a theme that connects the Columbia River Gorge and White Pass Scenic Byways with existing assets, using SR 503 and 504 and scenic byways and the National Forest routes. Create organization for managing the scenic loop and standing committees including executive, advisory, funding, marketing and projects. Complete an inventory of existing tourism opportunities including recreation (summer and winter), geologic, cultural, nature, communities, lodging, shopping, food, and visitors/interpretive. Determine seasonal constraints regarding access to the region. Complete potential Project and program development to include an inventory of projects and funding opportunities; prioritize these projects and programs. Visitor Service development for an overall marketing strategy including but not limited to branding, website, interactive maps, signage design standards, and promotional materials. Expand Funding opportunities for regional tourism and economic development opportunities. Prior Projects Summary The counties have collaborated on projects in multiple capacities to elevate tourism in the region. Cowlitz County Tourism has partnered with Visit Rainier and White Pass Scenic Byway to promote the Two Mountain Vacation, including new display panels for trade shows and marketing materials ($30,000). Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, Lewis Counties along with two additional counties marketed the region through the Coast, Cascades and Columbia ($30,000). Skamania County has also partnered with Lewis County to connect travelers to and from White Pass Scenic Byway at their respective visitor s centers. In addition, various projects have been funded throughout the region: Lewis and Clark Trail Columbia River Gorge Vista($174,000) White Salmon Heritage Information ($40,000) White Pass Oak Creek Trailhead ($14,400) US-12 Corridor Management Plan ($48,000) Columbia River Gorge (SR-14) Overlook and Gateway Interpretive Site ($107,552) White Pass CMP Extension ($133,700) White Pass Marketing Project ($48,000) White Pass Morton Visitors Center ($375,000) White Pass Scenic Byway: Way showing ($82,000) 5

Website renovation (www.skamania.org) ($18,000) Lure brochure ($12,000) Skamania County Visitors Guide (annual publication) ($5,000-$6,000) Trade show participation (annually) ($3,000-$5,000) Budget Corridor Management Plan Consultant $150,000 Administration (CWCOG) $30,000 Match (In-Kind) $36,000 Meetings (Monthly Regional Meetings) Informational Materials County GIS Services Travel County Tourism Inventory/Data Timeline Planning Process 1. Project Management a. Report to WSDOT and FHA b. Finance report to stakeholders 2. Outreach, Education and Public Input a. Community workshops c. Other Outreach d. Marketing e. Education 3. Corridor Management Plan a. Development of Scope of Work for CMP b. RFP Development, Advertising, Open Date c. RFP Review and Selection d. Fire and Ice Organizational Development 1) Meetings with White Pass Scenic Byway 2) Meeting with Colubmia River Gorge Scenic Byway 3) Website Development e. Assessment of Regional Qualities 1) safety and accident records 2) signage 3) marketing and tourism/visitors services 4) tourism activities (campgrounds, shopping, fishing, trails, restauarants, centers) f. Goals and Objectives, Mission and Vision g. Mapping/ GIS h. draft CMP i. Public Comment and Review j. Final CMP Year 1 Year 2 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 6

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United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Mount St. Helens 42218 NE Yale Bridge Rd. National Volcanic Monument Amboy, WA 98601 Office: (360) 449-7800 FAX: (360) 449-7801 File Code: 2330 Date: May 20, 2011 Mr. Ed Spilker State Scenic Byways Coordinator Washington State Department of Transportations P.O Box 47390 Olympia, WA 98504-7390 Dear Mr. Spilker, On behalf of the USDA Forest Service and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, please accept this letter to express our support for the Fire and Ice Scenic Loop grant proposal to complete a Corridor Management Plan through the National Scenic Byways Program. As we work to ensure that our communities are on track towards economic sustainability in the future there is a critical need for intensifying tourism efforts. These efforts originated by the Mt. St. Helens Advisory Committee and the Ring of Fire Committee, provide an opportunity to develop the Fire and Ice Scenic Loop Corridor Management Plan and complete recommendations developed by these two Congressionally-appointed regional committees. The Plan will be a key step in identifying resources, expanding access between the White Pass Scenic Byway and the Columbia Gorge Byway to Mt. St. Helens and provide tourists with expanded multi-day and multi-event adventures. As we continue to gain back loses brought from these recessionary times, we fully support expanding opportunities for tourism and recreation throughout the region and opportunities for economic development. The Fire and Ice Scenic Loop Corridor Management Plan proposal, led by the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments, has the Forest Service s full support. Sincerely, /s/ TOM MULDER TOM MULDER Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Manager 9

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