Sea Turtles:
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 protects all sea turtles in the USA. Because sea turtles reproduction is negatively impacted by artificial light pollution, both South Carolina and Florida have passed statutes that protect the sea turtle habitats against light pollution.
FLORIDA
Florida’s Beach and Shore Preservation Act of 2014 mandates that specific requirements are met for construction and/or reconstruction and it also protects areas of the shore that are used for sea turtle nesting.
Florida’s Marine Turtle Protection Act of 2014 ensures that any disruption or destruction of a sea turtle nesting habitat will result in felony charges.
The Beach and Shore Preservation Act lists that beachfront lighting disrupts sea turtle nesting, and the Marine Turtle Protection Act ensures that disruption will result in felony charges, so this heavily aides in reducing light pollution along Florida’s coastline.
On a more local level, the village of Key Biscayne, FL have created “Lighting Regulations for Marine Turtle Protection” as part of their Code of Ordinances. These regulations are mandatory for both existing developments as well as new ones.
SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina’s Beachfront Management Act of 2013 require local governments to submit an inventory of all turtle nesting sites, a protection and/or restoration plan, and a beachfront management plan.
Myrtle Beach, SC created zoning ordinances that dictate which lighting is acceptable and mandates that certain lighting will be turned off between 10:00pm and 7:00am May 1st to October 31st to protect the sea turtle nesting.
Light Pollution Policies
Astronomy:
Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ issued ordinances that require appropriate covering of outdoor lighting fixtures so as to minimize the disruption of the work at the Lowell Observatory. The ordinances also require one to obtain building permits for any outdoor lighting and show sufficient evidence that the lighting will comply with regulations.
The Future:
LIGHT POLLUTION AND AIR QUALITY
A study was conducted by Harold Stark and associates in connection with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that found a correlation between increased nighttime artificial lighting and a decrease in a nitrate radical that acts as an atmospheric oxidant. Essentially,what this means is that the study enabled them to develop a hypothesis that ‘increased nighttime artificial light causes poorer air quality’. Unfortunately, Stark and associates have since disbanded and no others have picked up the study. Were there to be a causal link found between increased light pollution and poorer air quality, this could open the door for regulation of light pollution under the Clean Air Act which is overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Interview with Dr. John Barentine:
U.S. Regulations
Through an interview with Dr. John Barentine, several ideas emerged for future regulation of light pollution in the United States. In the near future, Dr. Barentine and the International Dark-Sky Association have two stand out ideas. One is that they would like to see an order that mandates that “all Federal Buildings throughout the United States would have to employ Dark-Sky friendly outdoor lighting”. The other idea is one that is ongoing and is in cooperation with the National Parks Service. They would like to see more National Parks (they are currently working with The Grand Canyon) become designated as “Dark-Sky Parks”.
Federal Buildings
Dr. Barentine explains that transitioning Federal Buildings to Dark-Sky friendly outdoor lighting would be relatively easy because they would simply build the change into their existing budget and maintenance schedule. When the old lights need replacement, they simply replace them with lights that conform to certain standards.
Dark-Sky Parks
In order to become a designated “Dark-Sky Park” there are standards that must be met. According to Dr. Barentine, a park has “to take an inventory of their lighting and then they have to take corrective action to bring it up to a certain standard in terms of Dark-Sky friendliness”. Dr. Barentine explains that they have seen an economic ripple effect to the surrounding communities once a park becomes a designated as Dark-Sky. He explains that there is a tourism market for Dark-Sky parks and when a park brings in more tourism, the surrounding area benefits from that influx of economic activity. He hopes that bringing awareness to the varying benefits will increase willingness to reduce light pollution.
Motives for the Reduction of Light Pollution
Dr. Barentine expressed that the motives behind the reduction of light pollution do not need to be the same. Some can have a motive of economic gain, while others may have an astronomical motive, while still others may have an environmental or health motive. He says that regardless of the reason, the goal of reducing light pollution is being met.
