Feds want your input on billboards

The Federal Highway Administration has hired a consulting firm (The Osprey Group) to do a national assessment of outdoor advertising controls. They are holding public forums around the country. There is one next week, Sept. 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Atlanta. You don't have to attend to participate - you can make comments either online or you can submit them to Scenic Alabama and we'll take them to Atlanta next week. (Details below)

You can comment on whether billboards have a place in public spaces, local control, amortization (requiring billboard removal after a certain number of years), tree cutting for visibility, nonconforming signs, electronic signs, the unzoned area loophole (affects Alabama), enforcement, administration - whatever your concern as a citizen.

I found out from Scenic America that the outdoor advertising industry is trying to overwhelm the public forums and comments by sheer number. I looked at the comments on the federal docket, and it was obvious they were just parroting the party line. So, we're not going to tell you what to say. It's important that you speak for yourself. There are resources at Scenic Alabama and Scenic America's websites, and I'll send you a copy of Scenic Alabama's comments if you email me.

This is a major study and it's important that citizens respond! We certainly don't need the billboard companies to be the only voices!


1. Make comments on the federal docket. Go to: http://dms.dot.gov. The Docket Number is 25031. To read the background information, click on Simple Search and enter the docket number. To enter a comment, click on Comments/Submissions, and follow the instructions.

OR

2. Submit comments by email to ScenicAlabama, and I will compile them and submit at the Atlanta meeting. Please include your full name and ZIP Code, plus contact information if you want a call back.

This is the flyer that was sent by the consulting firm:

Public Session on The National Outdoor Advertising Control Program
We Want To Hear Your Thoughts!
Where and When:
Thursday, September 21st, 2006 5:30pm-7:30pm
At the City Hall Auditorium
68 West Mitchell St. (Southeast Corner of Central Ave and Mitchell St.)
Atlanta, GA 30303


Background:

The National Outdoor Advertising Control (OAC) Program has been developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in response to the Highway Beautification Act (HBA) in 1965. The HBA and the OAC Program focus on signage along the national highway system – interstates, scenic byways and other "federal aid highways." (States and local communities may also have signage regulations separate from the OAC Program.)


The Federal Highway Administration is working with the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution and the Osprey Group to do an assessment of how effective the OAC program is in regulating outdoor advertising. We are interested in hearing from any interested member of the public and encourage you to drop by to convey your thoughts and opinions about the OAC Program.


Possible topics for discussion

The public discussions will focus on three broad topics:
Benefits of and concerns about outdoor advertising
Effectiveness of the national OAC Program in regulating outdoor advertising
How some of the current controversies with the regulatory program can be addressed


If you cannot attend, you can enter your comments in the federal register docket. (Although the official deadline has passed, comments can still be entered.) Follow the link to: http://dms.dot.gov. The Docket Number is 25031. To read the background information, click on Simple Search and enter the docket number. To enter a comment, click on Comments/Submissions, and follow the instructions.