For Immediate Release - October 18, 2000

For the eighteen years I've been in state government it seems that complaints come in every year that the highway department needs to do a better job of mowing our highway rights of way.

Complaints most often are that it's harder to be on the outlook for deer, stray livestock or other wildlife that can cause serious accidents. Reported deer accidents have recently numbered from 8,000 to 10,000 per year. The accidents are making our car insurance bills bigger and occasionally lead to serious injury and death.

Why do I bring up this subject? Because I was reading the "fine print" on Proposition A, the ballot issue that appears to eventually outlaw billboards on our major highways and found the following declaration that will become law if the proposition passes:

"Trees and vegetation growing on public rights of way are, as a general rule, desirable aesthetic and healthful features of Missouri's roadside environment and deserve protection. . . . . . This Act shall be construed liberally to advance these purposes."

This appears to give trees, fescue, buck brush, etc. legal standing in our courts. While another part of the proposition does state that "Trees and other vegetation located on public rights of way may be removed or trimmed only for the purposes of improving aesthetic or environmental values, or of eliminating safety hazards." The directive to the courts to "construe liberally" the protection of trees, grass and brush certainly gives weight to that protection.

Not only does vegetation hide wildlife from drivers, but trees on rights of way also are a danger. Accidents involving running off the roadway are much more dangerous if you meet up with a tree on the right of way. Also, a tree canopy growing over our many narrow blacktop highways will keep wintertime ice and snow cover from melting as rapidly as if the sun has unrestricted access to the roadway.

It's important to read the "fine print" as we vote on the Propositions. Giving legal standing to vegetation goes beyond whether we like or dislike having billboards on our roadways.

On an unrelated note, the state of Missouri is mourning the passing of Gov. Mel Carnahan who was killed in a small plane accident along with his son Randy and Chris Sifford, a campaign aide. It is fitting at this time for Missourians to join together in supporting with our thoughts and prayers the Carnahan and Sifford families. Also, I'm sure that former Lt. Governor Roger Wilson would appreciate thoughts and prayers as he assumes the role of governor for the remainder of the term. The heavy responsibility which now rests on his shoulders is made heavier by the difficult circumstances leading to his assumption of the office.

If you have questions or comments concerning this issue or any other issue involving state government, please do not hesitate to contact me. Also, if you would like to receive a copy of this weekly column at your home via e-mail, please contact my office and give us your e-mail address. My address is: Senator Larry Rohrbach, State Capitol, Room 433, Jefferson City, MO 65101. The phone number is (573) 751-2780. My e-mail address is lrohrbac@services.state.mo.us. Keep in touch!