[Durham INC] FW: update, billboard bill

[Pat Carstensen]

Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:49:44 -0400
From: molly.diggins at sierraclub.org
Subject: update, billboard bill
To: NC-CONS-FORUM at LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG





The Senate Transportation committee today approved a revised version of SB 183, the billboard bill.


The good news is that language allowing existing billboards to be converted to electronic signs even if there is a local ban has come out of the bill.


But the rest of the news is not good:  




local tree ordinances would still be  pre-empted by the state's cutting policy with respect to tree canopy around billboards. 
the amount of tree cutting in municipal areas would be expanded by by about 35%.  That would add insult to injury to undermining tree ordinances. 
the amount of tree cutting in counties would be increased by a whopping  52% (approximate)
the revised bill allows clear cutting. Current, the state trims trees in front of billboards, for a  "picture frame" effect.  That practice would be replaced by clear-cutting. ( In a bizarre twist, the only trees that would be protected are dogwoods and rosebuds, regardless of the size, age or value of other trees.)
the bill charges the companies a modest fee that would goes to state beautification program but there is no requirement to replant the clearcuts.


Committee discussion of these issues raised the possibility that the bill sponsor, Sen. Brown, might be amenable to addressing these issues.  Sen. Richard Stevens of Wake County is key to securing these changes. Anything Capital Group members can do to encourage Sen. Stevens to add language to require replanting, ban clear-cutting, and  maintain  to reduce the size of the cuts would be a big help.


Molly





-- 
Molly Diggins
State Director
NC Sierra Club
(p) 919.833.8467
(e) molly.diggins at sierraclub.org
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