Transportation Corridors as Vehicles for Cultural and Ecological Regeneration - Restorative Redevelopment of Devastated Ecocultural Landscapes - page 346

FIGURE 17.16 U.S. 93 Memorandum of Agreement between tribal, state, and federal gov-
ernments outlined the fundamental design principles for U.S. 93.
Design and Alignment Concepts
The basic premise resulting from Jones & Jones' work with the Tribes was that of
the “road as a visitor.” As such, the road needed to accommodate the land, people,
plants, and wildlife, as well as reflecting the “Spirit of Place.” The process included
an evaluation of cultural and historic resources including sensitive tribal or ethno-
graphic resources that cannot be put on any map, as well as vernacular or historic
rural resources such as old homesteads. These resources were identified so impacts
could be avoided as best as possible. Sensitive discussions regarding cultural and
historic resources were possible because the tribes trusted Jones & Jones as design
partners from the beginning of the project (this was one reason why it was especially
important that the CSKT staff and tribal members were design partners from the
beginning of the project).
“Spirit of place” became the mantra to promote a context-sensitive design
approach that considered the full environmental and social context within which
a transportation improvement project would exist. It was important to look at the
whole landscape continuum and its distinct bioregions (Figures 17.17 and 17.18). And
in this regard, it is important to note that because the Salish, Kootenai, and Pend