Should vegetation within the right-of-way be destroyed to improve the visibility of adjacent land uses?
While the issue of vegetation clearance is related to any land use on the other side of the right-of-way, it is most usually connected with outdoor advertising. In 1977 guidance was issued which permitted, but did not require, States to enter into agreements with billboard companies to clear trees and other vegetation on the public highway right-of-way to enhance the visibility of billboards. In May, 1990 as one of our scenic enhancement initiatives, we clarified our 1977 memorandum that permitted vegetation clearance to improve the visibility of outdoor advertising signs and stated that because it is Federal Highway Administration policy to be sensitive to environmental concerns, such vegetation clearance can no longer be endorsed. We recognized that maintenance of highway rights-of-way for safety and other highway operations is a State responsibility, but noted the clearing of vegetation to improve the visibility of signs(nonconforming) subject to removal under the Highway Beautifica
