Others Who Succeeded

Flagstaff, Arizona, is a small mountain city with a century-old astronomical legacy; it’s home to Lowell Observatory and the U.S. Naval Observatory’s Flagstaff Station. A comprehensive lighting ordinance passed in 1973, but then came the lighting explosion of the late 20th century.

In response, Lance Diskan, John Grahame, and others founded the citizen-based Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition. Building on the positive relationships cultivated by local astronomers, the coalition broadened awareness of the benefits that dark skies bring to the community through many successful programs, including “Celebration of the Night” events, brochures, and good-lighting awards. They hang tags identifying quality light fixtures in retail stores. They met with community members and police to discuss security lighting issues and to allay concerns about compromising safety. Public education has been the most vital part of the coalition’s success, with a focus both on the stars and on good lighting’s benefits to all.

Ketchum, Idaho, was a growing ski-resort town with worsening light pollution when Steve Pauley decided to act. He educated himself by reading IDA information sheets and speaking with activists elsewhere. After writing an article for the local newspaper, he began working closely with local officials to draft an ordinance that passed in 1999.

Now known by many locals as Dr. Dark or Captain Kilowatt, Pauley credits his success to his direct involvement with town lawmakers — presenting slide shows, organizing field trips to point out good and bad lighting — and also keeping the ordinance easy to understand. To address any opposition, Pauley discussed issues of visibility and safety, health effects, and crime studies. And he pointed out how quickly the town was losing its starry skies.

Since then the larger city of Hailey nearby has followed suit with similar lighting laws — also with Pauley’s help. Ultimately, Pauley would like to see statewide regulations formed.

Kennebunkport, Maine: For several years Peter Talmage has been following the results of the lighting law he instigated in Kennebunkport, Maine, a seaside resort town. Talmage was originally roused to action by a utility-company proposal that would have drastically changed the town’s generally low-level, modest lighting. He worked with town selectmen to form a lighting committee, whose proposed ordinance drew wide support from townspeople hoping to maintain Kennebunkport’s nighttime character.

To make the code-enforcement officer’s job easier, the ordinance’s standards are more hardware-based than performance-based. This way fixtures can be judged without having to measure light levels on site at night. Also key has been Talmage’s continuing involvement.