Preserving Blancos Nighttime Skies

Revised: November 29, 2011

Consider

Light Pollution
and what to do about it

Where did the Milky Way go?

The Earth from Space at Night

The majority of the worlds people can no longer see the Milky Way.

The United States at Night

Two thirds of Americans cannot see the Milky Way.

Texas at Night

Blanco County

So whats the Big Deal about Night Skies?

People who live here

cant see this.

The Glory of the Nighttime Sky is a Gift from God

Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

But the Heavens Have Dimmed

Or rather, WE have dimmed the heavens.

Light Pollution Contributes to:

Loss of enjoyment of and wonderment at the God-given nighttime skies Increased difficulty of seeing by the elderly and the vision impaired Disruption of migratory patterns for birds and other wildlife Increases in certain forms of cancer, particularly in women A false sense of security for all

What is Light Pollution?

It is light that is shining in the wrong direction. Instead of shining onto the ground where it is neededit shines up into the sky.

It is wasted energy. It is wasted money. It robs us of the majesty of the Night Sky.

MANIFESTATIONS OF LIGHT POLLUTION

Sky Glow - an atmospheric phenomenon seen as a bubble of eerie pink, white, or orange color hovering above cities and other brightly lit areas. Light Trespass - light shining onto other properties Glare - light shining directly into your eyes, often an irritating and sometimes dangerous condition

Sky Glow
When light spills into the sky, it reflects off of tiny airborne dust and moisture particles. This happens even on very clear evenings and adversely affects the view of the sky even for those far from the source of the light.

Sky glow is a curable condition and we can still have adequate and safe illumination in the outdoor environment.

Sky Glow = Wasted Light

Wasted Light = Wasted Energy = Wasted Money $$$

Light Trespass
Light that falls outside the property on which it is generated

Glare
Light that shines directly into ones eyes

Is both irritating and dangerous

Especially a problem for old people and the visually impaired

Light Pollution is a Curable Condition

Not Rocket Science

Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple" - Dr. Seuss

Simple Solutions to Light Pollution

Use lights only when, where, and in the amount necessary Aim fixtures downward so there is no upward spill of light or light trespass Shield or recess light bulbs so no glare is visible Use low wattage, energy efficient light bulbs Use motion detectors for security lights
Newer ones eliminate false alarms from birds or dogs

Simply Repositioning Existing Lights

Can greatly reduce Sky Glow, Glare, and Light Trespass

Shields can increase effectiveness

Fixtures: The Good, the Bad, and the Maybe

The Evil 175 Watt Mercury Vapor Barn Light

Other Bad Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

Night Sky Polluting Street and Sidewalk Lights

Night Sky Polluting Security Lights

Good Fixtures are Readily Available

Night Sky Friendly Security Lights

Retrofit Shields

Night Friendly Parking Lot Lights

Night Sky Friendly Signage Lights

Night Sky Friendly Athletic Field Lights

Retrofit Shields

Shields for Wall Packs

Shields for Floodlights

Shields for Existing Streetlights

Fights Light Pollution, Light Trespass, and Glare

Service Station Canopy Lights

Good

Bad

Simple Solution: Retrofit Service Station Canopy Shields

Wheres Blanco?

You Dont Know It Unless You Can Measure It

Unihedron Sky Quality Meter readings 15 locations in and around Blanco Established baseline in 2007
Can now monitor progressor deterioration

Results thus far -- Blancos sky glow is increasing -- But some areas within the city have slightly darker readings than in 2007 -- Need to determine whyand then do more of it

Wheres Blanco?

About a 3

Preserving Our Night Skies is a Priority for Blancos Citizens

Comprehensive Master Plan Town Meetings Visionaries in Preservation (VIP) Town Meetings Blanco Historical Preservation Action Plan

Preserve our night skies and our Milky Way and give us back what weve lost.
Light Pollution Abatement

Night Sky Preservation

But Not just a Feel Good Sentimental Issue

Dark Sky Tourism is an economic development issue

Potentially bigger than the Blanco Lavender Festival

Within 1 hours drive of Blanco are almost 3 million people who live under intense urban sky glow
Honey, lets take the kids to Blanco and see the

Milky Way. Tourism = Revenue ($$$) for Blanco businesses and the Blanco City Government More Revenue = More and Better City Services to improve the quality of life for all Blanco citizens

It is also a Community Development Issue

Tourists often become residents A growing community, properly managed to preserve Blancos rural heritage and sense of place, is good for Blanco Preserving the Dark Skies we still have and reclaiming our lost Dark Sky heritage through light pollution abatement will benefit Blanco in multiple ways

Blanco Still Has Most of its Milky Wayfor now

GOALS: PRESERVATION and RESTORATION.
Preserving Blancos rural heritage includes preserving what we have and regaining what was once a brilliant nighttime sky EXPLOITATION (Economic Development). Blancos still relatively dark sky is a community asset Dark sky tourism is a viable economic goal for Blanco Dark skies can attract new residents and new businesses

The Way Ahead

Follow the Law

Enforce Blancos current Unified Development Code (UDC)

Blancos Current Outdoor Lighting Ordinance

City of Blanco, Unified Development Code, Chapter 5, Subdivision and Land Development; February 14, 2006 (Excerpt) Section 5.12 Outdoor Lighting (1) Purpose and Applicability a. The purpose of this section is to regulate outdoor lighting in order to reduce or prevent light pollution in the City.

(2) General Standards a. Outdoor lighting shall be designed to provide the minimum lighting necessary to ensure adequate safety, night vision, and comfort, and not create or cause excessive glare onto adjacent properties and public street rights of way. b. Outdoor lighting must be hooded, shielded, and/or aimed downward. c. Any bright light shining onto an adjacent property or streets that would result in a safety hazard is not permitted. Light trespass beyond property boundaries or above the horizontal plane shall be considered non-compliant.

Then Go Boldly Where No One (in Blanco) Has Gone Before

Community Education
Presentations to community organizations Newspaper articles

School programs
Stars-in-the-Park program at Blanco State Park Community Involvement

Seek voluntary compliance beyond the current requirements

Establish a Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Dark Sky-Friendly Business Recognition Program

Community Recognition Programs

Awarded to: Rileys Bar-B-Q/ Rockin R Steakhouse

SEAL

In recognition of action taken as a DEFENDER OF THE NIGHT SKY and efforts made to keep THE STARS AT NIGHT, BIG AND BRIGHT, DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
Presented this ____ day of April, 2008 in Blanco, Texas Signed: _____________________Jim Rodrigue, Mayor

Knights of the Milky Way Business Awards

Have a Light Trespass Problem?

*&@#%*@!!!

Thanks, neighbor!

Presented to: Mr.

& Mrs. John Q. Homeowner

SEAL

In recognition of action taken as a DEFENDER OF THE NIGHT SKY and efforts made to keep THE STARS AT NIGHT, BIG AND BRIGHT, DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
Presented this ____ day of May, 2008 in Blanco, Texas Signed: _____________________Jim Rodrigue, Mayor

A Rejuvenated Dark Sky Friendly Business Recognition Program

With a Good Night Neighbor Residential Program to follow

A Rejuvenated Dark Sky Friendly Business Recognition Program

(pending C of C Board approval)

With a Good Night Neighbor Residential Program to follow

Latest Developments:
-- In October, community volunteers installed light shields on five (5) 175 watt mercury vapor outdoor lights at the Blanco Dairy Queen and two (2) others at the El Puerto Mexican restaurant. -- Blanco State Park, supported by the Austin Astronomical Society, the Hill Country Astronomers, and the Wimberley Astronomers, hosted a very successful Stars in the Park evening on November 19th. -- Pedernales Falls State Park is constructing a Star Theater to introduce groups up to 150 to the wonders of the night sky. -- The new Stripes station in Johnson City reportedly will have Dark SkyFriendly outdoor lighting. -- Stripes has agreed to address citizen concerns in Blanco on the outdoor lighting of their station by the end of the year, probably through retro-fit directed lighting. -- Hill Country Alliance has secured agreement from PEC to work with stakeholders to reduce light pollution in the Hill Country.

The Way Ahead

Continue Education efforts and Recognition programs Continue shielding or replacing noncompliant outdoor lighting one light at a time

Refine a draft Comprehensive Outdoor Lighting Ordinance IF the Blanco City Council so desires Now on hold pending: Municipal and Commercial Lighting Survey, Cost Estimates, and City Council Backing

Why Might a Comprehensive Outdoor Lighting Ordinance Be Needed?

Required to apply for designation as an International Dark Sky Community (IDSC) Conferred by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) Designation would help market Blanco as a Dark Sky Tourist Destination Blanco State Park could become a Star Park Blanco could have a Star Festival

International Dark Sky Community

Definition: a town, city, municipality, or other legally organized community that has shown exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through the implementation and enforcement of quality lighting codes, dark sky education, and citizen support of dark skies.

International Dark Sky Community Requirements (see handout)

1. A quality comprehensive lighting code with the following minimum standards:
Full shielding or full cutoff standard for all lighting fixtures over 5000 lumens initial lamp output (or equivalent wattages); Restrictions on total amount of unshielded lighting, such as a limit on lumens per acre or total site lumens in unshielded fixtures (or equivalent wattages); A method to address overlighting, such as energy density caps, lumens/acre caps, or luminance specifications.

2. Community commitment to dark skies and quality lighting as shown by: City-owned lighting conforming with, or committed to conforming with, the lighting code (if the latter, a published plan with a timeline for completion in no more than 5 years); Municipal support of dark skies and good lighting as indicated through city publications, flyers, PSAs, funding of lighting upgrades, etc. (just to name a few). 3. Broad support for Dark Skies from a wide range of community organizations such as: Chamber of Commerce; Local electrical utility ; Local IDA section; Lighting retailers; Others 4. Success in light pollution control with at least one of the following conditions must be demonstrated: Examples of a minimum of ten projects built under the lighting code, demonstrating effective application of the local lighting code; Alternative demonstration of success in light pollution control, to be discussed with IDA for compliance. Benefits: Can display the IDSC logo in official community publications and promotions, and use of this logo by commercial or other groups within the community when identifying the community itself (i.e., an organization can say located in Star City, an International Dark-Sky Community or other words to the same effect).

So What Can I Do?

Make it Personal Look at your personal lights and, if they contribute to light pollution, fix them! Support Dark Sky Friendly Businesses Talk to your Friends and Neighbors Light pollution is a Curable Condition Talk or Write to the Mayor and City Council Members Make Light Pollution Abatement a City Priority

The End Result

The Protected Night Sky over Flagstaff, Arizona

The Protected Sky over Blanco, Texas

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. -- Margaret Mead, Anthropologist

Blanco: an International Dark Sky Community in the Texas Hill Country

Reclaiming our Milky Way, one star at a time.

Good Night, Neighbor