The Secretary is authorized to promulgate such regulations as may be necessary or desirable to implement the Delaware Byways program, consistent with departmental policy and this subchapter. Such regulations may also:

(1) Encourage counties, towns and municipalities to work with the Department to designate Delaware byways within their jurisdictions and to petition for the inclusions of these highways into the byways program. Such inclusion shall enable the municipality to participate in federal funding that may be available under the National Scenic Byways Program of the Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century of 1998 (23 U.S.C. § 162).

(2) Develop criteria for Delaware byway designation based upon its scenic, historic, natural, recreational, cultural or archeological qualities;

(3) Encourage and assist in fostering public awareness, understanding and participation in the objectives and functions of the Delaware Byways Program;

(4) Provide participants with tools and ideas for enhancement and protection of designated byways;

(5) Provide operation and management standards for highways designated as Delaware byways, including strategies for maintaining or improving the qualities for which a byway is so designated, for protecting and enhancing the landscape and scenic view and for minimizing traffic congestion as much as possible on such byways;

(6) Provide standards for byway-related signs, including those which identify Delaware byways;

(7) Develop and implement a byways corridor management plan that specifies the actions, procedures, controls, operational practices and administrative strategies to maintain the scenic, historic, cultural, recreational, archaeological and natural qualities of the byway; and

(8) Develop planning and design standards for development of official byways.

72 Del. Laws, c. 444, § 2; 77 Del. Laws, c. 367, §§ 12-20.