Coulee Corridor group forges ahead

MOSES LAKE - Efforts to bring tourists into the Coulee Corridor

National Scenic Byway area haven't let up since its volunteer

organization formed in 1999.

The volunteer-driven Coulee Corridor Consortium have completed

more than a few projects and fund-raisers.

MOSES LAKE - Efforts to bring tourists into the Coulee Corridor National Scenic Byway area haven't let up since its volunteer organization formed in 1999.

The volunteer-driven Coulee Corridor Consortium have completed more than a few projects and fund-raisers.

But members, volunteers and donations are still needed to continue the work, said Corinne Isaak, byway coordinator.

Membership benefits include promoting, protecting and preserving the 150 mile stretch of roadway from Othello to Omak, she said.

"You're involved in a national system that's bringing tourism and feeding people into our area," Isaak explained.

In this recession, Isaak recognized people have to make decisions on how they spend their money.

"If you attract tourism, it helps local business and should spur on the local economy," she says. "The byway system was created to bring people off the interstate and to get people into these smaller rural cities, to spur on their economy and businesses."

"You're saying, ‘yes, I want people in these smaller rural areas,' so they can survive," Isaak noted.

Isaak is also part of the National Scenic Byway Foundation, which works to improve the byway system on a national level in Washington, D.C.

The Coulee Corridor group recently finished interpretive signs at Lake Lenore Caves State Park, located north of Soap Lake.

The four signs sit atop basalt rock bases, showing information about the landscape, history and culture of the area.

The group's next project is the construction of two welcome signs at the byway entrances at Othello and Omak. They are installed later this fall.

Another future project is the building of kiosks in seven byway communities. The funding for the kiosks has been obtained.

Cities have the opportunity include area history in the kiosks, with Coulee Corridor information.

But byway tourists are also known to go off the beaten path, creating membership benefits for those outside the byway.

If a tourist visited the Dry Falls Visitor Center along the byway and continued to Grand Coulee Dam, he could be adventurous, leave the byway and drive to the Lake Roosevelt Recreation Area.

"It's still really beautiful there," Isaak says.

Many people use that route to reach Canada, she added.

The group also needs to build regional partnerships and has a strategic planning session set for Nov. 30.

The meeting's focus is building and maintaining regional partnerships.

"We welcome people who would like to get involved and be part of building strong regional relationships and partnerships," she commented.

The location of the Nov. 30 meeting is still being finalized.

More details are posted at www.couleecorridor.com in the near future.

To learn more about other byways, visit www.byways.org.