Washington State Department of Transportation Local Programs Division requested the creation of a Resource Planning Index (or “Index”) for use in benchmarking and tracking the stewardship performance of investments associated with Washington’s Scenic and Recreational Highways. A GIS analysis was performed to develop a unique Index value for each 1000 feet of roadway. The Index value was calculated based on the proximity of features of interest associated with specific opportunities for protecting, preserving, or enhancing resources associated with the state Scenic and Recreational Highways. This Index may be used in preliminary assessments of locations where there may be a confluence of such opportunities. As always, a local scale analysis of the location should assess exactly what opportunities exist there and whether a proposed project would actually provide the desired benefit or impact.