§ 349-bb. New York state scenic byways program. 1. The commissioner
shall establish within the department a program to be known as the New
York state scenic byways program (hereinafter referred to as scenic
byways program or program) to encourage and coordinate state actions and
the activities of others which relate to the development, protection,
promotion and management of scenic byways. For the purposes of this
article, a "scenic byway" is a transportation route and adjacent area of
particular scenic, historic, recreational, cultural or archeological
characteristics which is managed to protect such characteristics and to
encourage economic development through tourism and recreation.

2. To carry out the purposes of the scenic byways program, the
commissioner is authorized:

(a) to plan, design, and develop the New York state scenic byways
system;

(b) to make safety improvements to a highway designated as a scenic
byway under this article to the extent such improvements are necessary
to accommodate increased traffic, and changes in the types of vehicles
using the highway due to such designation;

(c) to construct along the highway facilities for the use of
pedestrians and bicyclists, rest areas, turnouts, highway shoulder
improvements, passing lanes, overlooks, and interpretive facilities;

(d) to improve the highway to enhance access to an area for the
purpose of recreation, including water-related recreation;

(e) to protect historical and cultural resources in areas adjacent to
the highway; and

(f) to develop and provide tourist information to the public,
including interpretive information about the scenic byway.

2. The commissioner is hereby authorized to apply for funding from any
appropriate sources to further the purposes of the scenic byways
program.

3. The commissioner is hereby authorized to enter into contracts with
qualified, responsible not-for-profit organizations involved in scenic
byways activities for services relating to the development of the New
York state scenic byways program or services relating to the operation,
development or promotion of a specific scenic byway.

4. The commissioner is authorized to promulgate such regulations as
may be necessary or desirable to implement the New York state scenic
byways program.