MODOT’S ODA VEGETATION

CONTROL PROGRAM

• Missouri statutes allow for the cutting and trimming of vegetation on the highway right of way which interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures a lawfully erected billboard

• The sign owner may only cut vegetation within 450’ in each direction

• Permits to trim brush and trees will be issued only for signs which are at least 2 years old

• Permits to cut vegetation will be issued only for signs which are at least 5 years old

• Access to the cutting or trimming area shall be from private property or outer roadways and cannot be made from right of way

• Parking of equipment or placement of materials on traffic lanes or shoulders is strictly prohibited

Vegetation Permit Application

Sign owner must submitthe following:• Permit application

identifying the scope of the desired work

• Proof of notification to adjacent property owners

• Performance Bond or a deposit in the amount of $1,000.00» Money is refunded if there is

no damage to right of way• Copy of liability insurance

policy with a limit of at least $1,000,000.00 per occurrence

• Site drawing for the location of the proposed cutting or trimming

• Check to cover the measured amount of trees to be cut» Once permit specialist has inspected the vegetation site,

additional money may be required if trees were measured incorrectly

Permit1234

John Smith,adjacent

land owner

450’ 450’

#3

R/W

N

Tree # dia. Cost 1 6” $100 2 7” $200 3 10” $500 4 5 ½” 0 Total $800

#1#2

#4

CR 789

Route 1

Type of Vegetation Removal

Trim Brush (Sign must be > 2 yrs old)

Trim Trees (Sign must be > 2 yrs old)

Cut Trees (Sign must be > 5 yrs old)

TABULATION

• The cost of a permit for trimming and cutting is determined by the vegetation to be removed. All diameter measurements are measured at 4.5’ above ground level

• There is no fee to trim trees or remove brush and trees with a diameter of less than 6”

• The fee to remove each tree with a diameter equal to or greater than 6” is $100, plus an additional $100 for every inch of diameter greater than 6”. Measurements are rounded down to the nearest inch– The fee for removing a tree 6 ¾” in diameter would be

$100– The fee for removing a tree 10 ½” in diameter would be

$500

TRIMMING AND PRUNING

• Trimming is permitted any time of year• The topping of a tree is prohibited• A tree may not have more than 1/3 of

its canopy removed in a single pruning operation

» The National Arborist Association Standards shall be used as a guideline to ensure trees are being pruned properly and done in accordance with their standards

» Additional pruning of this magnitude cannot be repeated for 3 years

http://mdc.mo.gov/documents/forest/pruning_guide.pdfhttp://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/pruning_young.aspxhttp://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/

pruning_mature.aspxhttp://www.tlcfortrees.info/pruning_of_mature_trees.htm

• The District Roadside Manager may allow for some trees to be removed without cost

» Dead or dying trees, junk trees (thorny locust), evasive vegetation

• Permits may be denied based on safety or slope protection issues

• If stability of slope is jeopardized with the removal of vegetation, plantings of low-growing vegetation may be required (ex. prairie grass)

• All vegetation trimmed or cut is to be removed from the right of way; chipping may be approved

• Trees are to be cut to ground level

* Good vegetation removal makes a good public image

VEGETATION CUTTING DAY

• Call area specialist prior to performing work

• Have vegetation permit on hand at location

• Do not access cutting site from right of way – access must be obtained from private property

• Do not use large equipment on right of way

• Be sure to restore right of way to a like or better condition

• Call area specialist when work is complete

ILLEGAL CUTTING

• Photographs of the illegal cutting are taken• The damages are assessed and the dollar amount is

determined for the trees removed• Letter is sent to the sign

owner, requesting monies be paid for illegally removed trees

• The sign owner will need to apply for a vegetation permit if clean-up work is required

Are there other options? YES!

• Adopt-A-Highway

• Sponsor-A-Highway

Mowing (from Adopt-A-Highway link on webpage)

It takes a lot of time and more than $19 million a year to mow the grass on highway roadsides. In fact, more time is spent on mowing than on snow removal, pothole patching, putting up signs or painting stripes. To reduce costs and be more compatible with our neighbors, the department allows and recognizes volunteers' efforts to mow highway roadsides so it blends in with their property.

ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY

• Sometimes the department doesn’t have the resources to maintain roadsides that enhance or blend in with its neighbors’ property. The AAH program joins MoDOT and its neighbors to work together in maintaining attractive roadsides• Volunteers pick up trash, mow and/or do plantings

• Sign (2’x3’) is posted recognizing their efforts and miles adopted

To adopt a highway please call your area specialist or the local district

office

SPONSOR-A-HIGHWAY

• Company donates a set amount

• Groups or organizations pay a private group, Adopt-A-Highway Litter Removal Services of America, Inc., to do litter cleanup and other services on their behalf

• Larger sign (3’x4’) with company logo is posted recognizing sponsorship and miles sponsored

** Currently only offered as a pilot program in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas

To sponsor a highway please call (800) 831-0821 or visit www.adoptahighway.net

Number of Permitted Signs in Missouri

  

11,800 (Permitted by Location)

MoDOT’s ODA Staff:

1 Manager

7 Specialists

3 Technicians

2009 NAHBA CONFERENCE

Each year, NAHBA's Annual Conference on the Control of Outdoor Advertising provides outdoor advertising sign professionals with unparalleled learning and networking opportunities. With typically more than 100 registrants, attendees have the opportunity to learn about best practices, share program challenges and hear solutions from federal, state, local and industry's leading professionals.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?•State DOT Employees•FHWA Employees•Attorneys involved in ODA matters•Local Government Officials•Metropolitan Planning Organizations

•Planning and Zoning Administrators•Outdoor Advertising Industry•Commercial and Industrial Business owners•On-premise sign owners•Beautification/Scenic Organizations

The 12th Annual Outdoor Advertising Control Educational Conference is slated for Branson, Missouri, August 9-12,

2009.

http://www.nahba.org/members2/2009conference.html

www.modot.org/business/Outdoor_Advertising