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By the early 1960s, the Department of the Interior joined the efforts to establish an official auto route. In 1962, Secretary Stewart L. Udall directed the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation to work with federal, state, and local agencies to plan an official auto route. The 10 states included in the study had surveyors inspect the land along Lewis and Clark’s route, as well as land bordering the route on either side.
These surveys unearthed a wealth of information that led to the establishment of numerous memorials, historic sites, recreational areas, and wildlife preservation areas. These efforts increased development of the land around the route and drew much-needed publicity.
