Background
In
1967 the state legislature authorized a bill (Senate Bill 424) providing for
the development of scenic and recreational highways throughout the state.
Following the passage of the bill, the State Parks and Recreation Commission
and the State Highway Department studied sites around the state for
designation. The Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway (YRCSB) “was proposed as the
state’s first scenic corridor due to its great potential for allowing the
traveler to pass through beautiful country at a pace enabling him to enjoy and
appreciate its beauty” (Daniel J. Evans, Governor).
The main goal of the scenic byway
program was to ensure that the traveler could enjoy outstanding aesthetic,
historical and cultural values while also allowing access to recreation opportunities
like hunting, fishing, hiking and biking “in such a manner as to not interfere
with the traveler on the highway.” Unfortunately, because the Yakima River
Canyon Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan (CMP) was never fully implemented,
other recreational pursuits are now seriously interfering with safe driving
conditions on the YRCSB State Route 821.
The YRCSB is
widely accessed by both community members and visitors. Locals use the drive
between Ellensburg and Selah as a relaxing and beautiful way to commute north
and south, they use it to experience the stark beauty of the shrub-steppe
habitat, and they share wildlife viewing and other recreational pursuits with
friends and family who are visiting the area. The Canyon is also popular with
the cycling community even despite the narrow shoulders. With several
fly-fishing companies taking advantage of the blue-ribbon trout fishery,
multiple camping grounds, and several float-boat operators/rental companies,
thousands of tourists and recreationalists use the YRCSB throughout the year.
In
the four decades since the Corridor Management Plan was developed the Bureau of
Land Management has purchased over 9,000 acres along the byway and developed
four (Umtanum, Lmuma Creek, Big Pines and Roza) recreation sites. In addition, the WA Department of Fish and
Wildlife has purchased much of the viewscape along the byway and now offers
hunting and hiking access to over 100,000 acres of land in the Wenas and LT
Murray Wildlife Areas. Despite these developments several vital components of
the plan were never fully implemented.
As a result this historic stretch of highway and its surrounding
landscape remain an under-developed treasure.
The main goal of the Scenic Byway Program, to merge road safety with
recreation access, is not being met.
Current recreational use is now seriously interfering with safe driving
conditions.
Tourism
and Economic Development
Recreation-based
tourism is a huge part of Kittitas and Yakima Counties’ economies. The revitalization of the Yakima River Canyon
Scenic Byway will draw in tourists and new residents to our area, which bring
along with them support for our tax bases and economic growth
opportunities. The Yakima River’s Blue
Ribbon Trout Fishery and the abundant river floating access attract people from
all over the country. The byway won’t just serve as a physical link between
communities, but also a vital economic highway representing significant tourism
dollars and connecting visitors to the businesses at both ends of the byway and
every point in between.
Recreation
and Natural Resources
Access
to recreational opportunities is paramount to public use of the Yakima River
Canyon Scenic Byway. The byway, located
so centrally in the state, is well positioned to be a recreational hub that
several communities can enjoy and benefit from.
In addition to the economic incentives, the enhancement of recreation
along the byway will provide visitors, community members and tourists alike,
with more opportunities to enjoy and connect with the local landscape and
wildlife. The Yakima River Canyon is rich in natural resources. Visitors to the byway have the opportunity to
appreciate its abundant wildlife, spectacular wildflower blooms, endangered
shrub-steppe habitat, the volcanic basalt cliffs left in the wake of Mt.
Mazama, and the wondering curves of a river teaming with wild salmon.
Cultural
and Historic Resources
The
canyon is also an incredible cultural resource due to its long history of
importance to human communities.
Evidence of a civilization dating back to 3000 BCE was found within the
canyon, and although not fully documented evidence to suggest multiple European
settlements from the 1800’s is also present. Unfortunately, many traveling the
recreating along the byway are unaware of the bounty of cultural history that
surrounds them. The heritage of the area
is too remarkable not to be shared.
Increased and updated interpretative signing along the byway, in
addition to the proposed Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway Interpretative Center,
will provide the much needed educational opportunities.
Transportation
One
of the primary goals of the original 1968 Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway
Corridor Management Plan was to create safe driving conditions along the
byway. Identifying and improving safety
issues is still a fundamental element of the YRCSB Committee’s vision. In addition, a multi-modal focus, which
provides hikers and bikers with safer routes along the roadway, is now a larger
priority than it was in the past.
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