This issue goes beyond just OWD issues and demonstrates both the power of special interests in the North Carolina Legislature and how effective grass-roots opposition can disrupt or defeat these special interests. At issue is the long-simmering billboard legislation that sought to curtail the power of local communities to regulate Billboard placements along public highways. Although some of the more odious provisions of the bill were defeated after strong opposition by a coalition of civic groups, the Industry is back at it again, lobbying the DOT to approve regulations that would give developers greater leeway to cut vegetation in order to increase visibility of the billboards. The message posted to the OWD listserv by John Schelp describes the situation well (after the break).
Submit your comments by objecting to this new regulation at this link.
--> Billboard industry wants to cut down thousands of public trees -
Posted by: "John Schelp" bwatu@yahoo.com bwatu
Wed Dec 21, 2011 2:21 pm (PST)
Folks, the Durham community played a key role is stopping the billboard industry from sticking more big bright flashing billboards along our state's roadways. A victory for common sense!
Now, industry wants to be able to cut down thousands and thousands of
public trees, over the next five years -- just so drivers can see more of their
billboards.
Please submit a short/positive comment on DOT site right away. Comment ideas from the NC Sierra Club...
Save OUR Trees, Save OUR Views
SB 183, the so-called
“billboard bill†is an outrageous giveaway of public assets to the billboard industry.
DOT has proposed temporary rules to implement SB 183, which could result in up to 1/4 million of the public’s trees to be destroyed in the next five years.
Please take a moment and offer your comments to the North Carolina Department of Transportation by December 23!
If you are not quite sure what to say, here's a little guidance. You can copy/paste the text below or just use it to give you some ideas!
As a taxpayer and citizen, I call on DOT to adopt rules that, within the limits of the new law,
* protect taxpayers. The final rules should fully compensate the public for loss of trees.
And, permit fees should fully cover administration costs.
* ensure local control: make certain that local governments have the opportunity to provide meaningful review and comment to reduce adverse visual impacts on communities
* protect existing taxpayer investments: ensure that North Carolina taxpayers’ multi-million dollar investment in highway beautification be honored with strong replanting requirements
* enforce the laws: ensure enforcement of laws already on the books and preserve DOT’s ability to punish violators.
I trust that the DOT will act to use all power afforded to them under the law to protect the taxpayers’ investment in our state’s scenic highways.
Click here to send your comments to the Department of Transportation today...
https://apps.dot.state.nc.us/
And hurry! The public comment period ends on December 23!
No comments:
Post a Comment