Designating a National Scenic Road

Anyone may submit a proposal to nominate a road for national designation. A national designation applies to National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads.

The Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names (ASBGHN) takes the first step in the nomination process to determine if the roadway possesses intrinsic qualities sufficient to merit its nomination as a National Scenic Byway or an All-American Road. The ASBGHN adheres to the Principles, Policies, and Procedures of the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The ASBGHN has approved additional policies and procedures to inform its unique considerations for the State of Arizona,

The second step is formal submittal of the nomination package to the ASBGHN. The naming process begins when an applicant submits a proposal for a new name, name change, or name designation. The Board follows the Principles, Policies, and Procedures of the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Once an application is received, the Board's Research Staff reviews the application to ensure it meets these standards. If the application does not meet these standards, Research Support staff will inform the applicant and cite the conflicting principle, policy, or procedure. Research Support staff will work with the applicant to revise the application so that it does meet the standards. The Board's Research Support staff will confirm with the applicant that their proposal has been received and follow up with any questions about the proposal before the nominations move to the next stage. 

Once Research Support staff has determined that the application meets the minimum standards of the Principles, Policies, and Procedures, a docket number will be assigned based on when the application was received.  All documentation is filed with a folder created for this docket. This includes the application, written correspondence, research, stakeholder responses, and any supporting documentation. Once a docket number is assigned, the Research Stage of the process formally begins.

Research Staff conducts comprehensive background research on each proposal, which includes:

• Downloading maps of the feature, to ensure accurate geographic location.
• Reviewing the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) national database, to check for other Arizona features with the same or similar name that may lead to conflict or confusion.
• Researching the history of the feature and the proposed name, to ensure a strong connection between the feature and the proposed name.

Once Research Support staff has completed basic research on a proposal, the proposal is added to the Docket Review List. The Docket Review List is a document that lists all the proposals that will be on the agenda for consideration by the Board at the next meeting. The Docket Review List also provides details about each proposal, including the category (e.g. new name, rename, road designation), feature location, and the proponent's justification for the name. The list is updated and posted monthly on the Board's website as new proposals are received and approved. Deferred proposals remain on the Docket Review List until the Board votes to approve or reject the proposal. Docket Review Lists are sent to specific community stakeholders for their response, commentary, and recommendation.

In accordance with A.R.S. §41-835.04(B)(2), the Board must "give appropriate notice to persons and groups that are affected by the proposal or might have an interest in it.”

At minimum, Research Support staff sends a Docket Review List to the following stakeholders:

• All 22 federally recognized Native American Tribes in Arizona
• The Intertribal Council of Arizona
• The Board of Supervisors of each county the feature is located in
• The Arizona State Land Department
• The Arizona Department of Transportation, for all name proposals involving roads, highways, freeways, expressways, etc. 
• The Mayor’s Office and City Council of each city the feature is located in
• The Mayor’s Office and Town Council of each town the feature is located in
• Owner(s) of the parcel of land the feature is located on
• Any businesses that may be affected by the approval of a name or designation 
• Private and public organizations that may be affected by the approval of a name or designation
• For commemorative name proposals, family members or the estate of the person commemorated 
• Any additional parties deemed appropriate to the proposal
• The general public is informed of the dockets through Docket Review Lists posted on the Board's website.

All Proposals have a 60 calendar day consultation period for all identified stakeholders, beginning on the day Research Support Staff notifies stakeholders and publicly posts the Docket Review List in which the proposal first appears. Proposals Involving Federal Land have a 120 calendar day Tribal consultation period, beginning on the day the Tribes are notified by the respective federal agency.

Anyone can submit feedback or comments to the Board about any proposal. The preferred method for submitting feedback is the Proposed Name Response Form. This form allows stakeholders to comment on a name proposal with options to support, oppose, or register no comment or concerns. Stakeholders can also upload any supporting documentation such as resolutions or petitions.

Feedback can also be sent via email to [email protected] or by mail to:

Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names
Research Support Staff
1901 W Madison
Phoenix, AZ 85009

The nominated roadway should be a state-designated scenic road (parkway, historic or scenic road). However, roads that meet all criteria for national designation, but not state or federal agencies' designation criteria, may be considered for national designation on a case-by-case basis.

The road or highway must safely and conveniently accommodate two-wheel-drive automobiles with standard clearances.

The road or highway should accommodate, wherever feasible, bicycle and pedestrian travel.

A corridor management plan must be submitted.

The road or highway should not have too many gaps, be as continuous as possible and minimize intrusions on a visitor's experience.

The road or highway must significantly meet at least one of the six byways intrinsic qualities.

The characteristics associated with the intrinsic qualities are distinct and representative of the region. The significance of the features contributing to the distinctive characteristics of the corridor's intrinsic qualities are recognized throughout the region.

The All-American Road should safely accommodate conventional tour buses.

There must be a demonstration of the extent to which enforcement mechanisms are being implemented by communities along the highway in accordance with the corridor management plan.

User facilities (such as overlooks and food services) should be available for travelers.

The road or highway must meet at least two of the intrinsic qualities.

The characteristics associated with the intrinsic qualities best represent the nation and may contain one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere.

The road or highway must be considered a destination unto itself.