1708RESOLUTION NO. ~ ~~~
A RESOLUTION ABOUT THE GREAT RIVER ROAD
WHEREAS, tourism is the world's largest and fastest growing industry, and is
currently surpassed in the United States only by agriculture and manufacturing; and
WHEREAS, tourism trends include a growing popularity of environmental and
heritage tourism, along with increased popularity of driving vacations and more frequent
family travel for shorter periods of time; and
WHEREAS, criteria for designation as a state or national scenic byway require
that a proposed route must meet at least one of six intrinsic qualities, including scenic,
natural, historic, cultural, archeological, or recreational features; and
WHEREAS, The Great River Road runs from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico,
including 10 states along the Mississippi River, as well as 10 counties in Eastern Arkansas
that already have achieved state scenic byway designation; and
WHEREAS, these 10 counties in Eastern Arkansas possess all of the intrinsic
qualities for further designation as a national scenic byway, including a rich natural and
cultural history that has been shaped by the Mississippi River; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi River Parkway Commission, Arkansas Delta Byways,
the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, and Arkansas State University are
working with these counties to achieve national scenic byway status that would bring
commerce into the region, while preserving, developing and promoting our natural and
cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS, such environmental and heritage tourism initiatives are compatible
with the largely agricultural base of the Eastern Arkansas region and can be operated
under local control, with benefits being retained in the local communities; and
WHEREAS, the City of West Memphis, Arkansas is located along the Great
River Road; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of West Memphis,
Arkansas supports and endorses the establishment of the Arkansas segment of the Great
River Road as a national scenic byway and will participate as a partner in identifying,
developing and implementing tourism initiatives for economic development throughout the
Arkansas Delta region.
APPROVED this ~ oZ 7 ~ of July, 2001.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSO ,MAYOR
ATTEST:
PHILLI ,CITY CLERKs,~s ~~=~-~ec~~
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