Legislation would protect Connecticut’s landscape and natural beauty
Hartford – Environment Connecticut and the CT Forests and Parks Association today applauded Governor M. Jodi Rell’s proposal to ban billboards on state-owned property. Calling the proposal an important step towards preserving the natural beauty of Connecticut’s landscape, and protecting the quality of life in the state’s communities, the groups called on the General Assembly to enact legislation implementing the proposal
“Connecticut’s natural landscape is an essential part of our quality of life,” said Environment Connecticut Program Director, Christopher Phelps. “We applaud the Governor for her initiative to put a halt to the clutter of billboards along our roadways that obscures both urban and rural landscapes across Connecticut.”
States and municipalities across the nation have taken similar steps to restrict billboards. 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of Vermont’s successful effort to remove all billboards in that state. Governor Rell’s proposal is an important starting point to move Connecticut towards joining other states in removing the clutter of billboards on both public and private properties.
“The Connecticut Forest & Park Association has long campaigned against billboards and their blight of our landscape,” said Adam R. Moore, Executive Director of the Connecticut Forest & Park Association. “We thank Governor Rell for her attention to this issue and strongly support this initiative.”
A bill to implement the Governor’s proposal to ban billboards from state property will be considered soon by the legislature’s Transportation Committee. The groups called on the legislature to approve that proposal and consider expanding its focus to include the phase out of billboards on municipal and private properties statewide.
“We urge the legislature to approve this bill as a first step towards joining the other states and municipalities across the nation that are protecting their natural landscapes with the simple and easy step of removing billboards,” concluded Phelps.
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