by Charles F. Floyd
Professor of Real Estate, University of Georgia 

Introduction

Perhaps the most outrageous perversion of the highway beautification program has been the practice by the Federal Highway Administration and some of the states to allow outdoor advertising companies to destroy the public's trees on the right-of-way to give an unrestricted view of billboards.  However, this policy finally was modified by the FHWA in a May 18, 1990 Memorandum signed by Associate Administrator Anthony Kane:

We recognize that maintenance of highway rights-of-way for safety and other highway operations is a State responsibility.  However, to clear vegetation solely to improve the visibility of signs subject to removal under the Highway Beautification Program is not environmentally responsive.  It is Federal Highway Administration policy to be sensitive to environmental concerns, therefore such vegetation clearance can no longer be endorsed.  Direction should be provided to the Division offices to assist the States in rescinding their existing vegetation clearance agreement and/or permit programs.

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