The NC Senate Bows to the Whims of Billboard Profiteers, Removes Protections of Native Tree
Last week, the NC Senate approved legislation expanding the power of billboard owners to cut down trees along state highway right of ways, despite the objections of environmental advocates.
The vote to approve a Senate committee substitute for House Bill 198 (DOT Legislative Changes) was 30-14 along party lines, with all Democrats present voting no. The changed bill now goes to the House for concurrence in the changes, with a floor vote scheduled for May 22.
Effects of Billboard Bill
The resulting legislation is similar to a bill vetoed by Gov. Roy Cooper in 2019. Republican allies of the billboard industry are working to pass the new bill this year when they can use their current legislative supermajority to override an expected Cooper veto. The billboard-related revisions from the Senate version make the following environmental-unfriendly changes:
- Remove the protections from native redbud trees.
- Increase the total area billboard companies can clear along major roads, from 350 to 500 feet.
- Increase the area they can clear without a permit by 50%, from 200 to 300 feet.
- Make it harder for the Department of Transportation (DOT) to deny billboard relocations.
The original HB 198, as introduced in the House, contained changes to state law (including budget rules) requested by the NC DOT and did not include the billboard provisions. The DOT requested an environmentally-positive amendment to allow state transportation funds to be used for bicycle and pedestrian projects, but later versions of HB 198 removed this change.
Take Action: Reach Out to Your Legislators
Did you already reach out? We’ve updated the action to only House representatives; and we encourage you to reach out again. Consider personalizing the message as to why you feel so strongly about protecting our environment.
Take action today! Tell your representative to oppose HB 198 and protect North Carolina’s trees.
