Light Pollution

I hear you. I have called Chelco about those lights in Grayton, and think we should keep the pressure on them to eliminate needless and energy consuming lights that shine all through the night. It is really disturbing on the lake; the reflection creates light pollution. Who is benefitting from this light at 2 a.m.?
If local homeowners want lights on at night for protection, they should install
motion detector lights rather than powerful Chelco vapor lights.

Lighting Ordinance is still in the works for WalCo. Enforcement will be the biggest obstacle (IMO).

Lighting Ordinance is still in the works for WalCo. Enforcement will be the biggest obstacle (IMO).

actually like decibels, lumens are quantifiable by a meter. I guess that would mean the deputies would need to know how to use them also.

If it's shining on the lake, mayhap it is close enough to the gulf to be subject to DEP guidelines for lights.

Dunno if the overpowered pickups can help, but if it's more than a 30 watt and a direct light to the gulf I say call the FDEP for a turtle light violation.

There's safety or security lighting and then there's pollution and this certainly seems to fall into the latter category. :angry:

Wasn't there some sort of ordinance passed a while back to deal with the Wings establishments? I believe they were getting fined regularly which is why they now tone down their lights during business hours and shut them down at night.

Here's a link http://www.co.walton.fl.us/default.asp?id=53. Go to the Click here to view a complete, searchable copy using the search key "light."

Here's a link to "Resolutions and Ordinances." I'd help you search, but it's way past my bedtime.

Does anyone know if there is a definition of what constitutes light pollution in Walton County? I see that this is going to be discussed at the BCC meeting December 9th. We have a situation in Grayton that is getting out of control, and I am not talking about anywhere by the beach. We are being treated to needless uplighting of trees and a driveway which literally kills the pretty night sky we enjoyed before the 'improvement' (not to mention the homeowner cutting the Mediacom cable in the process:roll

Yes, the meeting next week is discussing a new lighting ordinance for Sowal; however, it is limited to the Wildlife Protection Zone. The wildlife protection zone is approximately the beach and dune areas and the ordinance is a mitigation component of the County's Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) which is needed to secure an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) and stems from the post hurricane armoring that occurred. I am not sure that it will address your specific issue due to its location but if you want a meeting with fireworks, it could be an interesting meeting to attend. It will likely be a come early stay late type of meeting.

I hear you. I have called Chelco about those lights in Grayton, and think we should keep the pressure on them to eliminate needless and energy consuming lights that shine all through the night. It is really disturbing on the lake; the reflection creates light pollution. Who is benefitting from this light at 2 a.m.?
If local homeowners want lights on at night for protection, they should install
motion detector lights rather than powerful Chelco vapor lights.

I am talking about a private residence. It looks like they did some landscaping and couldn't be content enjoying the fruits of their labor during daylight hours. All night long, and maybe all day too for all I know, the lot is illuminated by ground lights aimed skyward It kills the night sky. Also, since the lights went on I no longer hear the owls that used to congregate in the woods along Western Lake-I am not sure of cause and effect, however.

Yes, the meeting next week is discussing a new lighting ordinance for Sowal; however, it is limited to the Wildlife Protection Zone. The wildlife protection zone is approximately the beach and dune areas and the ordinance is a mitigation component of the County's Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) which is needed to secure an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) and stems from the post hurricane armoring that occurred. I am not sure that it will address your specific issue due to its location but if you want a meeting with fireworks, it could be an interesting meeting to attend. It will likely be a come early stay late type of meeting.

Do you have a map of 'the zone'? This is on the bank of one of the little fingers of Western Lake.

john r, you are correct, however, Code Enforcement, which stops work at 5pm, and works Mon-Fri, is the dept which was being considered for enforcement. The BCC discussed having one of the officers on call during the after-hours, but all of the officers were reported to live in the Defunk area, so if they got a call for light invasion in Rosemary Beach, about two hours after the reported invasion, a CE officer would arrive. A simple flip of the light switch would cause the officer to question the complainant as to the problem. Part of the proposed law included language that would cause any complainant who was in error in reporting light invasion, to be fined on the second false-complaint.

There is also the problem of indirect light invasion and cumulative light invasion, which will give inaccurate readings on the light meters, if trying to tie it to one property owner. Light may be coming from more than one source, so how do you prove in a court of law that only the light from one property was being read on the meter? The answer is simple, you cannot.

IMO, after listening to the many arguments for and against light ordinances, it will be difficult at best to come up with one which works. A strong focus on Education and Awareness will work better than any ordinance.

It will likely be a come early stay late type of meeting.

Bet your money on it being one with some fireworks. I can think of one development with a volleyball net problem, which will certainly have a lady with a live fuse to get things started.

Should I set up a table to sell grilled-cheese sandwiches? I bet I could sell at least fifty.

I am talking about a private residence. It looks like they did some landscaping and couldn't be content enjoying the fruits of their labor during daylight hours. All night long, and maybe all day too for all I know, the lot is illuminated by ground lights aimed skyward It kills the night sky. Also, since the lights went on I no longer hear the owls that used to congregate in the woods along Western Lake-I am not sure of cause and effect, however.

You own a BB gun, right?

You own a BB gun, right?

Yes, but a privacy fence stands in the way.:roll:

john r, you are correct, however, Code Enforcement, which stops work at 5pm, and works Mon-Fri, is the dept which was being considered for enforcement. The BCC discussed having one of the officers on call during the after-hours, but all of the officers were reported to live in the Defunk area, so if they got a call for light invasion in Rosemary Beach, about two hours after the reported invasion, a CE officer would arrive. A simple flip of the light switch would cause the officer to question the complainant as to the problem. Part of the proposed law included language that would cause any complainant who was in error in reporting light invasion, to be fined on the second false-complaint.

There is also the problem of indirect light invasion and cumulative light invasion, which will give inaccurate readings on the light meters, if trying to tie it to one property owner. Light may be coming from more than one source, so how do you prove in a court of law that only the light from one property was being read on the meter? The answer is simple, you cannot.

IMO, after listening to the many arguments for and against light ordinances, it will be difficult at best to come up with one which works. A strong focus on Education and Awareness will work better than any ordinance.

I agree 100%. My concern is that when substantial expense is undertaken to illuminate the night, illumination will occur. It wouldn't be that big of a deal if they were on a timer and at least dimmed at 10PM or so to allow for lighting of a walkway or whatever, but I can tell you they are roaring at 3:00AM as mightily as if it was 8PM.

john r, you are correct, however, Code Enforcement, which stops work at 5pm, and works Mon-Fri, is the dept which was being considered for enforcement. The BCC discussed having one of the officers on call during the after-hours, but all of the officers were reported to live in the Defunk area, so if they got a call for light invasion in Rosemary Beach, about two hours after the reported invasion, a CE officer would arrive. A simple flip of the light switch would cause the officer to question the complainant as to the problem. Part of the proposed law included language that would cause any complainant who was in error in reporting light invasion, to be fined on the second false-complaint.

There is also the problem of indirect light invasion and cumulative light invasion, which will give inaccurate readings on the light meters, if trying to tie it to one property owner. Light may be coming from more than one source, so how do you prove in a court of law that only the light from one property was being read on the meter? The answer is simple, you cannot.

IMO, after listening to the many arguments for and against light ordinances, it will be difficult at best to come up with one which works. A strong focus on Education and Awareness will work better than any ordinance.

yes, i remember the meeting. there will need to be subjective reasoning on a case by case basis as well as objective. on the street that dr skunkape is referring to, he will have the advantage of just pointing in the direction of the illumination and enforcement will have an easy time of it. some others will be more challenging.

when that officer is not off chasing light beams, he can deal with all-night barking dogs.

It sounds like Skunky's complaint might not be addressed by the proposed ordinance, as the light is shining up into the trees, rather than onto his property. The CE officer would be taking the light-level readings from the property of the complainant.

However, as BeachSiO2 mentioned, I think they are mostly focused on the actual beach for the moment.

Has a discussion with the light offender failed to get results?

Has a discussion with the light offender failed to get results?

Didn't you read, they have a "privacy fence?" They don't care what skunky thinks.

Do you have a map of 'the zone'? This is on the bank of one of the little fingers of Western Lake.

Not on me, but here is the definition and link information....

Wildlife Conservation Zone: The area extending from the mean high water line to a line 750 feet landward of the Mean High Water Line along the Gulf of Mexico from the Okaloosa County line to the Bay County line. A map of the Conservation Zone is available electronically at [FONT=&quot]www.co.walton.fl.us[/FONT] (Your Government, Maps, Turtle Lighting). If any portion of a lighted structure lies within the Conservation Zone, the entire structure shall be considered to be within the Conservation Zone.

Should I set up a table to sell grilled-cheese sandwiches? I bet I could sell at least fifty.

You would definitely make money, especially if you had hot chocolate with marshmallows. However, it probably would require a vending permit if it was allowed at all. ;-)

One may think that a vending permit would be required, but if all of the County Commissioners are eating my sandwiches, I doubt anyone would say anything. I could set up in the break room, and ask for suggested $2 donations for sandwiches.

One may think that a vending permit would be required, but if all of the County Commissioners are eating my sandwiches, I doubt anyone would say anything. I could set up in the break room, and ask for suggested $2 donations for sandwiches.

:scratch:Very interesting strategy... It is definitely food for thought

Maybe the Commissioners could get theirs for free, that way they would be on the hook for accepting bribes, if I needed to pull a card.

Yes, but a privacy fence stands in the way.:roll:

Get a scope.

Better yet just call CHELCO and request to have the power turned off due to "moving". Do it from a payphone. ;-)

Maybe the Commissioners could get theirs for free, that way they would be on the hook for accepting bribes, if I needed to pull a card.