http://www.gaplanning.com/vegetation-management-outdoor-advertising/ An update regarding: New Georgia DOT Application for Vegetation Management for Outdoor Advertising Signs

2. Hello, we are Williams & Associates, an
Athens GA based civil engineering firm,
with another episode from our ongoing
“How-To” podcast series.

3. Today we will review the new Georgia
Department of Transportation (or G.D.O.T.)
Application for Vegetation Management
for Outdoor Advertising Signs.

4. Vegetation Management is fundamental to
the success of an Outdoor Advertising firm;
it clears the way for viewing zones and
creates a more appealing signage
presentation and location for their clients.

5. But what does Vegetation Management
include and how does one apply and get
permitted in Georgia?

6. Vegetation Management for Outdoor
Advertising is the process of
cutting, pruning, or applying herbicide
treatment to vegetation that is blocking the
viewing zones for billboards alongside
roads or highways.

7. Viewing zones are determined by a
professional and licensed surveyor.

8. These viewing zones depend on the
height of the structure and the type of sign.

9. There are several different types of
billboards, mainly differing by the
number of faces:

10. double-faced,

11. double-faced and stacked,

12. four faced,

13. four faced, four faced and
stacked,

14. single faced,

15. and tri-sided faced.

16. The number of faces is directly
related to the number of viewing zones.

17. After the viewing zones are determined,
a viewing zone inventory sheet showing
the existing trees is completed by a
certified arborist or forester.

18. This sheet shows the Target Viewing Zone
and the tree sizes and quantities that are
to be removed or pruned.

19. Those trees in the Target Viewing Zone
will then be quantified and sized on a
separate chart from the trees outside
of the Target Viewing Zone.

20. The arborist or forester must certify that
this information is complete and accurate.

21. Next, the arborist or forester determines
the best option for vegetation
removal, whether it is pruning, removal, or
chemical use.

22. This information will be included in the
Georgia DOT Work Plan for Vegetation
Management, which also includes “contact
information for the tree-removal
crew, equipment to be used on site, and
chemical treatment proposed along with a
current copy of the pesticide applicator’s
license”.

23. One more obstacle the application
presents is an Environmental Impact
Checklist.

24. This checklist reviews any potential
environmental impact to the area during
vegetation removal which includes the
existence of wetlands, bodies of water
and/or stream buffers, and designated
environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs).

25. If the checklist indicates involvement of
potential impact, the applicant may be
required to provide additional submittals as
required by the District GDOT
Environmentalist.

26. Also, a professional may need to be hired
to complete further studies.

27. A Certification of Sign Height is also
required in the application and is critical to
the allowance of vegetation removal.

28. This document must be signed
by a registered surveyor.

29. These are a few of the critical elements
required for the new 2013 GDOT
Application for Vegetation Management for
Outdoor Advertising Signs.

30. Outdoor Advertising firms have been
waiting years for the capability to remove
or prune the vegetation blocking the
viewing zones of their billboards, and now
that the hold on applications has been
lifted, the new application is available and
being accepted by GDOT.

31. Complying with the regulations that govern
tree removal and pruning in the DOT
rights-of-way can be a difficult and time
consuming task.

32. Williams & Associates is here to help!

33. We have the
experience, licenses, certifications, registra
tions, insurance, equipment, technology, an
d staff necessary to complete the
application process,
all under one roof!

34. To learn more about how Williams &
Associates can help your outdoor
advertising firm visit our website at
www.gaplanning.com, or give us a call at
(706) 310-0400.

35. Until next time, all the best from