For Immediate Release
July 8, 2005
The Alaska Highway Community Initiative recently hosted
the successful Scenic Byway Training Workshop held June
28 – 29, 2005 in Fort St. John, BC. Tourism industry
leaders, representatives from municipal, First Nations
and senior levels of government from BC and Yukon attended
the event. Historic roads and U.S Scenic Byways Program
expert Dan Marriott traveled from Washington DC to facilitate
the workshop. The purpose of the workshop was to learn
best practice concepts from internationally recognized
routes such as Route 66 and the Silk Road in China. The
group also discussed how to adapt elements of the successful
Scenic Byways program to interpret, enhance and conserve
the Alaska Highway. The Scenic Byway Workshop was organized
as part of Phase I of the Alaska Highway Community Initiative
and was funded by the Western Economic Partnership Agreement.
The US Scenic Byway program, first established
in 1991, is a prime model that demonstrates an excellence
in significant
roadways based on six intrinsic qualities: archaeological,
cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic.
“
There are many international examples of significant roads
that have been developed to enhance local pride, recognition,
and economies” stated Interim Chair, Mayor Wayne
Dahlen. “It is our aim to work together with the
Canadian government and partnering jurisdictions to designate
the Alaska Highway as an International Scenic Byway.” The
designation will facilitate the interpretation, enhancement,
and conservation of historic, cultural, and wilderness
values of the Alaska Highway for visitors, northern residents
and future generations.
The Northern Rockies Alaska Highway Tourism
Association, designated the coordinating body for the Alaska
Highway
Community Initiative, will work with communities to embrace
and apply the best practices of the Scenic Byways program.
The Initiative is supported by 13 communities from BC,
Yukon and Alaska who signed a Memorandum of Understanding
following the September 2004 Alaska Highway International
Forum. The Alaska Highway Community Initiative’s
mandate is to ensure supporting communities, First Nation
groups and stakeholders have an opportunity to jointly
explore and collaborate on issues relating to infrastructure
for tourism development, preservation of history, culture
and wilderness, corridor management, safety and maintenance,
and marketing and promotion of the Alaska Highway corridor.
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For
more information contact:
April Moi, Executive Director
Northern Rockies Alaska Highway
Tourism Association
PO Box 6850, Fort St. John, BC V1J 4J3
(250) 785-2544 Toll Free: 1-888-785-2544
Website: www.alaskahighwaylegacy.com
Email: aprilmoi@hellonorth.com
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