SACRAMENTO — Caltrans has lifted a moratorium on issuing new Adopt-a-Highway permits and will begin processing a large backlog of program applications that were received during the past 18 months.
“The Adopt-A-Highway program, which began in 1989, has been one of the truly successful government-public partnerships of our time,” according to Caltrans district coordinators.
“More than 120,000 Californians have cleaned and enhanced over 15,000 shoulder-miles of roadside.”
A lawsuit involving the Minutemen of San Diego sidelined the program in 2008. On Jan. 21, the Office of Administrative Law approved Adopt-a-Highway regulations and the moratorium was lifted.
During the moratorium, the program was still running.
“We never stopped,” said Adopt-A-Highway coordinator Steve Mellinger, who oversees the program in Caltrans District 7 with fellow coordinator Doug Johnson.
“We weren”t issuing new permits, but everyone with a current permit was still working. We”re now clearing the backlog of permits that expired during the 18-month moratorium. Then we”ll start processing new applications.”
Adopt-a-Highway regulations note that highway signs are not intended to be a forum for advertising or public discourse. Only the name and/or logo of the adoptor will be displayed. All signs must be approved by Caltrans.
“We want to make it clear that these signs are intended to recognize the group, not to provide advertising,” said Mellinger.
Participation in Adopt-a-Highway can include one or more of the following activities:
? Removing litter (work frequency varies with location);
* Planting and establishing trees or wildflowers;
? Removing graffiti; and
? Controlling vegetation.
Groups have the option to participate as volunteers or to hire a maintenance service provider to perform the work on their behalf.
Adoptions usually span a two-mile stretch of roadside and permits are issued for five-year periods.
Groups in good standing may renew permits indefinitely.
To sign up for Adopt-a-Highway in Lake County, call 441-5761or e-mail nita_brake-mills@dot.ca.gov. For information, visit http://adopt-a-highway.dot.ca.gov/.
Please contact Public Works Director Brent Siemer, 263-2341, those wishing to adopt a Lake County road that is not maintained by Caltrans. Visit www.co.lake.ca.us/Residents/Citizenship-Voting/Adopt-A-Road.htm for more information about Lake County”s Adopt-a-Road.
