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Columbia County backs Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, adopts corridor management support resolution
Summary
The Columbia County Board of Supervisors voted to support designation of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York scenic byway and to adopt its corridor management plan, saying the plan preserves historic and scenic assets without requiring new county funding.
The Columbia County Board of Supervisors voted to support the official designation of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York scenic byway and to adopt the route's corridor management plan on June 11, 2025.
The resolution, read aloud at the meeting by Supervisor Wolf, said the proposed 544‑mile byway and its surrounding areas "possess significant historic, cultural, and scenic values" and that the corridor management plan was developed by a steering committee representing 22 municipalities. The resolution states the county "commits to the preservation and enhancement of this historically significant route" and that the action is "revenue neutral and no net cap supported required by your current Columbia County budget." Supervisor Wolf read portions of the corridor plan language during the meeting.
The resolution also states that the county will not remove new or existing outdoor advertising signs along the designated highway route in order to preserve the corridor's character, and directs that certified copies of the resolution be forwarded to the county attorney and treasurer and be posted to the board website.
Speakers at the presentation included members of the local steering committee. The reading noted that Harriet Tubman's descendants, historians and state and federal agency representatives contributed to the corridor management plan.
The board's action followed a report that the county government's committee and the finance committee reviewed the plan in May 2025.
The resolution text describes anticipated long‑term benefits including strengthened regional collaboration, improved visitor access and stewardship, and increased opportunities to seek funding to preserve historic and scenic resources. Meeting organizers requested photographs after the presentation and indicated the board would vote on the resolution later in the session.
Less central to the motion but raised during the presentation were acknowledgements of local steering committee members and state liaisons who helped develop the plan.
The board recorded the resolution as adopted during the session.
