Coalition members have a combined membership of over 60,000 Missouri residents:

This list is being updated and expanded. If your organization is interested in joining the coalition, please call. The following resolution can be printed and presented to your organization.

RESOLUTION

Pertaining to the regulation of billboards and the protection of trees on public rights of way,

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri is characterized by outstanding natural scenic beauty enjoyed by Missourians and visitors alike,

WHEREAS, billboards often obstruct the view of Missouri's natural scenic beauty contributing to unnecessary visual clutter along Missouri's roadways, thereby decreasing quality of life and traffic safety and dampening tourist opportunities and economic development potential,

WHEREAS, reputable and valid public opinion polls confirm that the majority of registered voters in Missouri favor removal of billboards in scenic areas and strict billboard control in general, and prefer official highway signs over billboards,

WHEREAS, Missouri has nearly three times as many billboards per mile as the eight contiguous states and more per mile than most all states that permit billboards,

WHEREAS, there are alternative methods (logo signs, tourist oriented directional signs, tourist information centers) to provide traveler information,

WHEREAS, a high proportion of billboards in St. Louis and Kansas City advertise liquor, gambling and sex clubs and even more so in minority and low income neighborhoods,

WHEREAS, legislation authorizing the designation of scenic byways has been adopted, reflecting the desire of the general public to protect scenic resources,

WHEREAS, the billboard industry is the only business in Missouri permitted to destroy trees and other vegetation on public rights of way to enhance the visibility of its structures, and public opinion polls indicate that over eighty percent of registered voters disapprove of this policy,

WHEREAS, the Highway Beautification Act (HBA) of 1965 provides states and local governments the authority to prohibit or control billboards and numerous states and thousands of communities have done so, however, Missouri has adopted only the minimal regulations required by the HBA,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (OR MEMBERSHIP) OF

______________________________________________________________ ,   
                                                    Name of Organization

AS FOLLOWS:  

The preservation of Missouri’s natural scenic beauty, the promotion of highway safety and the protection of the tourism and economic development potential inherent in Missouri’s natural scenic beauty are valid public purposes and, therefore, the Missouri Billboard Statute should be amended to prohibit new billboards, further restrict existing billboards, reaffirm local authority to regulate billboards and prohibit the cutting or trimming of trees and vegetation on public right of ways to improve billboard visibility.

________________________________________________________________      
                     Signature of Board Chairperson or CEO

Date: __________________