Three Rivers Group Proposes a Highway 198 Scenic Highway Designation Initiative The Three Rivers Village Foundation is spearheading a grassroots initiative in the small Sierra foothills community of Three Rivers to designate a 16-mile stretch of Highway 198 as an official State Scenic Highway.The route begins at Road 248, and extends east, past citrus orchards in the Valley, climbing into the Sierra foothills with views of scenic Lake Kaweah, the foothills and the Sierras beyond, passing through the charming gateway community of Three Rivers, and ending at the Sequoia National Park boundary. Nearly one million visitors per year travel along this stretch of highway to reach the Sequoia National Park.The Three Rivers Village Foundation hopes that the designation will bring both positive economic growth and scenic protection of the spectacular views. If the route receives official State Scenic Highway designation, it will be marked by Caltrans signs showing colorful Caltrans “poppy” logo.The route will also be described in Caltrans promotional literature and maps, and on the Caltrans website.The State Scenic Highway designation also increases eligibility for some forms of highway maintenance and improvement funding from the Transportation Enhancement Activities (TEA) Program. The submission package to Caltrans includes a Visual Assessment of the route, prepared by the Three Rivers Village Foundation, along with a map series prepared by Tulare County RMA staff.The scenic highway proposal has been presented for public discussion in a series of Three RiversTown Hall meetings. The proposal has also been presented to the Tulare County Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission.On April 25, 2006, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors endorsed a Resolution of Intent as part of the Designation application package.The Planning Commission also a letter of endorsement. Contact: Project Planner: Ann Chapman Email:AChapman@co.tulare.ca.us (559) 624-7000 Learn More: Documents Available The Tulare Board of Supervisors April 25, 2006 Agenda includes a packet for the Scenic Highway proposal can be accessed from their website: http://bosagendas.co.tulare.ca.us/ The Three Rivers Village Foundation spearheaded the effort to create a Visual Assessment of the route. The Kaweah Highway Visual Assessment (PDF) Maps highlighting Natural Features and Existing Land Use of the proposed scenic highway have been prepared by Mark Clark, Tulare County RMA (April 2006) Kaweah Scenic Highway Maps (PDF). Useful Links: The Caltrans Scenic Highway Program has program information including Caltrans’ Guidelines for the Official Designation of Scenic Highways. Check out tours of currently designated California scenic highways at the Caltrans California Scenic Highway Mapping Systems.