Re: Killer Lights

Chris L Peterson wrote:
On Wed, 30 Aug 2006 12:07:00 -0600, Tim Killian <TJK@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:


Most municipalities have easements/exemptions for agriculture and public safety. If you try to get one of those mercury vapor lights on a farm turned off, the farmer can legally tell you to buzz off.


Fortunately, you don't need to turn off the light source to eliminate
light trespass, you only need to shield it so the light remains of the
owner's property. Therefore, it isn't clear that such an easement gives
the farmer the right to operate the light in any fashion he chooses.

Even in the absence of explicit light trespass laws, it is possible to
get code enforcement agencies to take action against light polluters
using existing nuisance regulations. It isn't hard to draw a parallel
between light pollution and stink pollution (such as having a large
manure pile or compost heap). Neither causes any actual obvious harm,
but the latter is often regulated.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com


We have a state law here (CO) that requires full cutoff fixtures on highways and a decent county ordinance that regulates outdoor lighting. Lights not attached to homes have to be off by 10 PM and all pole mounted fixtures are supposed to be full cutoff. The problem is in enforcement. The county doesn't actively look for offenders and relies solely on complaints to generate enforcement actions. So far my neighbors have been very understanding and cooperative and I haven't had to file any formal complaints.

Agricultural operations and lights installed by utilities as ballast load are exempt from state and local regulations. Most of the time folks with those lights let us install a shield on the fixture, but if they refuse, there really isn't any legal recourse.

A bigger problem down the road for western states is the aerosols and particulates that are being dumped into the air from massively increased oil and gas drilling, compressor stations, unpaved road traffic, etc. This haze often drifts hundreds of miles and pools in valleys, scattering and reflecting ambient light, leading to increased sky glow. It is noticeable now below 5000 foot elevations and the way trends are going, it will likely get worse.
.

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