Light Pollution

[Smiling JOe]

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.

 

[Smiling JOe]

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.

 

[traderx]

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?

 

[30A Skunkape]

You own a BB gun, right?

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

 

[30A Skunkape]

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]

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.

 

[Smiling JOe]

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.

 

[Camellia]

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

 

[Smiling JOe]

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.

 

[BeachSiO2]

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.