Black River Trail Scenic Byway Project in Motion

ANCA’s fifth Upstate New York Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan is underway. The Tug Hill Commission has entered into contract with ANCA to serve as the Project Facilitator for the Black River Trail Scenic Byway project. They will oversee local planning efforts and partner with ANCA to develop a plan reflecting local and regional interests in the Byway communities. ANCA will serve as project manager and provide coordination with the NYSDOT. The Tug Hill Commission will work from a Corridor Management Plan project guide formulated by ANCA during prior planning work with NYSDOT on the Adirondack Trail, Central Adirondack Trail and Olympic Scenic Byways. The guide outlines the procedures needed to prepare a document that will be used as a tool to stimulate tourism and support economic development. The Black River Trail Corridor Management Plan will empower communities to realize local goals and become a part of a regional initiative while building a communication network linking them with involved State agencies. In addition, the project will address the economic and community development goals of the communities; stimulate a dialogue that will foster new partnership projects with neighboring communities; support cooperative marketing efforts; and maintain and establish eligibility for new funding opportunities. As part of the initial public outreach ANCA created a project Steering Committee inviting representatives from regional agencies and organizations to serve on the Committee. Meanwhile, Emily Fowler and Dave Zembiec from the Tug Hill Commission have prepared extensive three-county mailing lists and contact information for local city, town and village government to include the following participation: civic groups, not-for profits, business community, tourism offices, and Chambers of Commerce in Oneida, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties. Murray will work directly with community representatives from the Byway area and provide project coordination at a grassroots level in order to build local ownership and commitment to both the planning and eventual implementation of the plan. A series of local byway planning meetings are scheduled at a variety of locales along the route. June meetings are scheduled at the Town Hall in Lowville on 6/20 and at the Village Hall in Boonville on Thursday 6/22. The public meetings will include visioning sessions, resource identification and general information about the Black River Trail Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan and the related Blueway plan. An open house format will be used so folks can stop in any time from 4 to 8 pm with presentations to take place at 4:30 and 6:30pm.

Two businesses in Gouverneur along the Black River Trail: That Stamp Store (handwoven rag rugs by owner), and The Lawrence Manor B&B. Interior from parlor of view of staircase.

• Vision, Theme and Goals
• List of the scenic, historic, cultural, recreational, and natural resources along the corridor that are in the public domain or operated by not for profits
• Color coded map showing all resources, Chambers of Commerce visitor centers, and transportation centers
• Recommendations for action at the local and regional level
• List of special, tourism sites, attractions, and services
• Description of the Byway experience--a windshield perspective of the entire route that describes what unfolds as a traveler moves along the route
• Stewardship section that addresses the future maintenance and preservation of the Byway’s resources
• A comprehensive report on the recreation conditions, needs, and opportunities
• A review of current economic conditions with specific recommendation on how to best vitalize the economies of cities, villages and towns
• Strategies for tourism development, marketing and promotion
• Transportation, safety and community design will be addressed-- including the needs of motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and other recreationalists
• Implementation Strategy
• A listing of related programs, projects, plans, and studies that complement and support the Byway effort