Bill Overview
Title: Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act
Description: This bill amends the National Trails System Act to designate a trail of approximately 2,400 miles extending from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, as the Route 66 National Historic Trail. The trail shall be administered by the National Park Service in a manner that respects and maintains its idiosyncratic nature. The Department of the Interior may not use eminent domain or condemnation in carrying out this bill.
Sponsors: Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-18]
Target Audience
Population: People living near, working along, or visiting Route 66
Estimated Size: 1800000
- Route 66 passes through multiple states from Illinois to California, affecting a range of communities, businesses, and tourists along its path.
- Historic trails often attract tourism, so individuals involved in tourism, local businesses, and related services will be impacted.
- Preservation efforts may affect property owners along the route, though the bill specifies that eminent domain or condemnation will not be used, mitigating direct negative impact on property rights.
- The designation could lead to increased funding and resources for the areas surrounding Route 66, benefiting local economies.
- National Historic Trail designation often brings attention and environmental conservation efforts.
Reasoning
- The Route 66 corridor is influential in areas it traverses, impacting local economies through tourism and heritage preservation. Therefore, residents, local business owners, and municipal employees in areas along Route 66 are key stakeholders.
- The well-being of people whose livelihoods depend on Route 66 (e.g., hospitality workers, local shop owners, and tour operators) could be improved with increased tourism from the trail designation.
- Residents unaffiliated with tourism might experience modest changes unless local policies connect well-being to Route 66's enhancements, such as improved infrastructure related to the designation.
- Cultural and recreational values could increase well-being for those historically or nostalgically connected to Route 66.
- Because eminent domain isn't used, direct negative impacts are minimized for property owners.
- Budget constraints and geographical dispersion mean not every person or business along Route 66 will see major changes.
Simulated Interviews
Café owner (Chicago, IL)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've always attracted some tourists because of Route 66.
- The trail designation could bring more visitors, which is exciting if done right.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Tour guide (Santa Monica, CA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The trail designation is fantastic news for my line of work.
- I expect more bookings as interest in Route 66 rises.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Local government employee (Tulsa, OK)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This designation can spur economic growth here.
- It's a chance to promote our city as part of a cultural itinerary.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Retired teacher (Flagstaff, AZ)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Retaining the historic charm of Route 66 is essential.
- I hope the designation focuses on preservation without commercialization.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Marketing coordinator (Amarillo, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't expect my daily life to change much.
- Route 66 isn't a major part of my world, but it sounds nice for the community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Hotel manager (Springfield, MO)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More travelers will favorably impact my business.
- We've longed for added recognition of the historical route.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Mechanic (Barstow, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The trail could bring back 'the good old days'.
- More cars mean more work, that's good for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Environmental consultant (St. Louis, MO)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The designation should help conservation efforts along Route 66.
- I'm excited by the prospect of funded projects that enhance natural beauty.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Freelance writer (Kingman, AZ)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Route 66 stories might finally get the readership they deserve.
- More exposure equals more opportunities for my work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Creative director at a local museum (Gallup, NM)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could increase visitor engagement with our exhibits.
- A route designation might mean more funding sources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $8000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $10000000)
Year 2: $8000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $10000000)
Year 3: $8500000 (Low: $6500000, High: $11000000)
Year 5: $9000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $12000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $13000000)
Year 100: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $13000000)
Key Considerations
- The National Trail designation could lead to significant cultural preservation and environmental benefits along the Route 66 corridor.
- Increased visitation might boost local economies; however, it could necessitate additional infrastructure investments.
- Private stakeholders such as businesses and local communities might play an essential role in preserving and promoting the trail.
- Long-term funding mechanisms will need to be established to ensure sustainable maintenance and operations costs are covered.