Number: 1987-25
WHEREAS, the federal Highway Beautification Act of 1965 was adopted to control outdoor advertising along federally-funded interstate and primary highways in order to protect the public investment in such highways, to promote the safety and recreational value of public travel, and to preserve natural beauty; and
WHEREAS, the General Accounting Office has reported that 13,522 new billboards have been erected since the 1965 Act was passed; and
WHEREAS, amendments to the Act made in 1978 require that cash payments be paid whenever a non-conforming sign is removed along federal highways, in lieu of the previous method of local zoning and payment through amortization; and
WHEREAS, this restriction impedes the ability of states to achieve highway beautification objectives by hampering removal programs, creating project delays, and increasing costs to the states; and
WHEREAS, the 100th Congress will have before it amendments for the much-needed reform of the Highway Beautification Act;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 19-22, 1987, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, hereby supports the protection of scenic beauty along the nation’s roadways and endorses legislation to achieve the goals for highway beautification as originally set forth in the 1965 Act.