This Directive was Canceled June 23, 1999.

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration

5540.1
December 8, 1992

Par.

1. Purpose

2. Authority

3. Scope and Objectives

4. Duties

5. Bylaws

6. Duration

7. Official to Whom Committee Reports

8. Sponsor and Office of Support

9. Estimated Annual Cost

10. Membership

11. Officers

12. Meetings

13. Compensation for Members

14. Subcommittees

15. Reports

16. Filing Date

1. PURPOSE. To serve as the charter for the National Scenic Byways Advisory Committee, as provided for in the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770 (1972)), and to set forth policy and guidelines for its operation.

2. AUTHORITY. The Advisory Committee is established pursuant to Section 1047(a) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (Pub. L. 102-240, signed December 18, 1991).

3. SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES. The Advisory Committee shall act in an advisory capacity to the Secretary through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) providing recommendations intended to assist in the establishment of a National Scenic Byways Program.

4. DUTIES

   1. The Advisory Committee shall recommend to the Secretary, through the Federal Highway Administrator, minimum criteria for use by State and Federal agencies in designating highways as scenic byways and all-American roads. Additionally, recommendations shall be made on the following:

      (1)Consideration of the scenic beauty and historic significance of highways proposed for designation as scenic byways and all-American roads and the areas surrounding such highways.

      (2)Operation and management standards for highways designated as scenic byways and all-American roads, including strategies for maintaining and improving the qualities for which a highway is designated as a scenic byway or all-American road, for protecting and enhancing the landscape and view corridors surrounding such a highway, and for minimizing traffic congestion on such a highway.

      (3)Standards for scenic byway-related signs, including those which identify highways as scenic byways and all-American roads, and the advisability of uniform signs identifying highways as components of the scenic byways system.

      (4)Standards for maintaining highway safety on the scenic byway system.

      (5)Design review procedures for location of highway facilities, landscaping, and travelers' facilities on the scenic byway system.

      (6)Procedures for reviewing and terminating the designation of a highway designated as a scenic byway.

      (7)Such other matters related to scenic byways for which the FHWA may request recommendations.

   2. Within one year from the date of establishment, the Committee shall submit a report to the Secretary and Congress, through the Administrator, containing the recommendations described in paragraph 4a.

5. BYLAWS. Subject to this charter and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the National Scenic Byways Advisory Committee may establish and maintain bylaws governing meeting procedures and other aspects of Committee activities.

6. DURATION. The Committee will remain in existence for 18 months from the effective date of this charter, unless recommended for termination or renewal by the Administrator.

7. OFFICIAL TO WHOM COMMITTEE REPORTS. The Committee reports to the Federal Highway Administrator or his/her designee.

8. SPONSOR AND OFFICE OF SUPPORT. The Federal Highway Administrator shall be the sponsor of this Committee and, upon request, he/she shall provide office space, supplies, equipment, FHWA staff, and other support services to assist the Committee in carrying out its duties under this charter.

9. ESTIMATED COST. The estimated cost for the Committee is $79,000, which includes $54,000 for members' travel, per diem, and expenses for attendance at meetings, and $25,000 for other expenses.

10. MEMBERSHIP

    1. The Committee shall consist of 17 members including the Federal Highway Administrator or his/her designee, 5 members representing various Federal agencies, and 11 members chosen by the Administrator to represent various interests.

    2. In addition to the Administrator or his/her designee, the membership composition shall be as follows:

       (1) The Chief of the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture or the designee of the Chief.

       (2) The Director of the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior or the designee of the Director.

       (3) The Director of the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the Interior or the designee of the Director.

       (4) The Under Secretary for Travel and Tourism of the Department of Commerce or the designee of the Under Secretary.

       (5) The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior or the designee of the Assistant Secretary.

       (6) One individual who is specially qualified to represent the interests of conservationists.

       (7) One individual who is specially qualified to represent the interests of recreational users of scenic byways.

       (8) One individual who is specially qualified to represent the interests of the tourist industry.

       (9) One individual who is specially qualified to represent the interests of historic preservationists.

       (10) One individual who is specially qualified to represent the interests of highway users.

       (11) One individual to represent State highway and transportation officials.

       (12) One individual to represent local highway and transportation officials.

       (13) One individual who is specially qualified to serve on the Committee as a planner.

       (14) One individual who is specially qualified to represent the motoring public.

       (15) One individual who is specially qualified to represent groups interested in scenic preservation.

       (16) One individual who represents the outdoor advertising industry.

    3. The Administrator, with the approval of the Secretary, shall select the individuals to be appointed under this paragraph consistent with the prescribed representation and on the basis of their knowledge, expertise, or experience regarding scenic byways.

    4. All members are expected to make every effort to attend meetings of the full Advisory Committee and any subgroups of which they are members. Members who find they are unable to participate fully should consider resigning so that an active individual may be appointed. The Federal Highway Administrator may, with the approval of the Secretary, revoke the appointment of a member who is unable, or fails to participate, and make a new appointment to fill a vacancy.

11. OFFICERS. The Chairperson of the Advisory Committee shall be the Federal Highway Administrator or his/her delegate.

12. MEETINGS. The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairperson or designated alternate. Time and place of meetings shall be designated by the Chairperson. Consistent with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, no meeting shall be held in the absence of the Chairperson or an agency employee alternate named by the Administrator. An agenda for each meeting must be approved in advance by the Chairperson or designated alternate, who may cancel or adjourn any meeting when he/she determines that to do so is in the public interest.

13. COMPENSATION FOR MEMBERS. The members shall not receive salary compensation but shall be reimbursed upon request for travel and accommodation expenses.

14. SUBCOMMITTEES. The Chairperson is authorized to establish subcommittees or task groups, as required, from among the membership of the Committee. The subcommittees and task groups shall comply with all regulations to which the Committee is subject.

15. REPORTS. All Committee and subcommittee reports and recommendations will be submitted by the Chairperson to the Administrator. Official releases concerning the activities of these groups shall only be made by the Federal Highway Administrator or the Secretary of Transportation.

16. FILING DATE. The filing date, which is also the effective date of this charter, is September 22, 1992.

/s/
T. D. Larson
Administrator

This Directive was Canceled June 23, 1999.

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