Identify and Protect Scenic Vistas and Viewsheds 8. Ensure a Strong State Scenic Byways Program 9. Fight Billboard Blight A community s history, culture, geography, and scenic qualities often form the backbone of civic pride. More and more however, the outskirts of our communities and major highways look exactly the same, and billboards are one of the major culprits. Billboards blot out the natural beauty and architecture of communities, assets that should be highlighted, not hidden behind ugly billboards.
Billboards are often the leading edge of ugly sprawling development.
As rural areas are opened to new development, advertisers often move in to target new audiences, blighting the landscape with billboards. In many states like Pennsylvania and Missouri rural areas untouched by other elements of sprawl are marred by thousands of billboards. Strict billboard control allows citizens, instead of billboard companies, to govern their visual environment. Tough controls allow a community to protect its landscape, build civic pride, and encourage investment in the local economy. Improving Communities With Billboard Control Communities don t have to live with billboard blight.