“News about light pollution is not always depressing. For example, will you believe if I say that there is a completely dark sky over the U.S.? Don’t be so amazed. It is the fact. The city is called Flagstaff, which is located in Northern Arizona, a state in the U.S.”
From: http://whisperofthewind.wordpress.com/about-my-blog
Have a gorgeous Sedona day!
SedonaFacts
(Note: The membership link at the end of this email has been fixed.)
While SedonaFacts does not publish comments, unless they are comments that cite verifiable information, we do read the comments and make a concerted effort to address issues that many Sedonans find confusing…such as information about the requirements of the International Dark Sky Association as it relates to any application by the City of Sedona. Rumors have been heard about Sedona that the continuous lighting of SR89A by ADOT would keep Sedona from being able to apply for the “Dark Sky” designation. 
Timely is this email that was sent by IDSA to the City of Sedona, the Mayor, and the Councilors:
From: Kim Patten [mailto:Kim@darksky.org]
Sent: Friday, December 18, 2009 2:30 PM
To: radams@sedonaaz.gov; pcolquitt@sedonaaz.gov; mdinunzio@sedonaaz.gov; chamilton@sedonaaz.gov; nscagnelli@sedonaaz.gov; jfrey@sedonaaz.gov; dsurber@sedonaaz.gov; AWelsh@SedonaAZ.gov; AZelms@SedonaAZ.gov; CCARC@SedonaAZ.gov; TErnster@SedonaAZ.gov
Subject: International Dark Sky Community
Dear Mayor and Council of the City of Sedona,
It has come to our attention that the debate over the lighting of State Route 89A is still under consideration by the Mayor and Council and that the concept of lighting this route may compromise the City of Sedona’s ability to become an International Dark Sky Community (IDSC) under the IDA certification process. I hope with all sincerity that this letter will assist in the decision making process.
First, it is important to state that the designation of the IDSC is not wholly interrelated to this particular lighting process. The requirements of the IDSC, which can be found on the Web site www.darksky.org/page/IDSPlaces, essentially mandate a comprehensive outdoor lighting code, examples of projects built under that code, retrofitting of grandfathered projects to meet the code, and a series of public participation programs to help educate the public on the values of environmentally responsible outdoor lighting practices. From this brief description, I believe it is clear that quality lighting projects can actually enhance the community’s ability to successfully apply for the IDSC.
International Dark Sky Association
Any project approved by Mayor and Council should first and foremost be warranted. This decision is one that only the city can make. Secondly, the lighting project should be dark sky friendly. That means that the fixtures selected should be full cutoff fixtures and using a lamp source that is 1) High Pressure Sodium or Low Pressure Sodium or 2) using a dimmable white light source limited in hours of use and dimmed at or near 11p.m. at the latest or 3) a hybrid white light/yellow light source where the amber source replaces the white light source at or near 11p.m. at the latest. When using white light sources it is important that they can be dimmed at later hours, or switched to yellow/amber light sources at later hours to help conserve energy and reduce the skyglow. Particularly with Sedona’s location near Flagstaff, Arizona and the multiple observatories of the area, it is important to note that blue-rich light sources contribute at a higher rate to skyglow and scatter.
I hope that this email answers any questions that you may have regarding the IDSC program in relation to the City of Sedona and the lighting of 89A. At this time it is important to remind you that we cannot determine the appropriate lighting levels for your community or where you use light at night; however, we encourage you that if you do choose to light a project, you do so in an environmentally sensitive manor.
If I can answer any additional questions for you, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Thank you for your time and Happy Holidays.
Best,
Kim Patten, Programs Director & Public Affairs International Dark-Sky Association
kim@darksky.org 520-293-3198 Join IDA today: www.darksky.org
“To preserve and protect our nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting”
SedonaFacts is proud to give you a link to IDSA membership, which begins at $50. We have perused the information on IDSA’s website and think you will agree with their concern for the environment.
The email from Kim Patten has gone a long way to dispel misinformation.
SedonaFacts is making an attempt to put information in perspective and in an earlier post, Keep Sedona Beautiful was questioned on the figure of “70%” of Sedonans being against the continuous lighting along SR89A. Letters have been sent to ADOT quoting that figure. SedonaFacts questioned the data.
SedonaFacts is in receipt of the August 2009 KSB newsletter. This is the first bullet from the newsletter:
“…In a 10-day period, 49% of survey recipients (127 individuals) responded.”
“…Asked if they support ADOT plans to install continuous roadway lighting on SR89A, 98% said “no.”
Doing the math:
Based on the 10,400 “full time residents” of Sedona as claimed by the City of Sedona’s website, the information would suggest that 1% of the residents are against the continuous lighting along SR89A.
Note: KSB respondents may or may not live in Sedona. The 1% figure is not a “real” percentage without knowing if all live within the confines of Sedona.
We do not have the survey information from Red Rock News or Sedona Times. If anyone can provide us with that information, we will publish it.
Have a great Sedona day!
SedonaFacts
From the International Dark-Sky Association e-News, May 13, 2009.
Flagstaff, AZ is thought to be the first community to enact legislation that would keep artifcial lights from interfering with the night skies.
April 15, 1958.
“Ordinance #440 prohibited “the use of certain commercial searchlights within the city limits” with a misdemeanor fine of $300 or “imprisonment in the City Jail not to exceed 90 days.”
The Flagstaff City Council then passed the Lighting Code in 1989 and have contunued to update the Code as issues surface.
Read this wonderful article written by Lance Diskan, founder of The Dark Skies Coalition of Flagstaff, Arizona.
Does an area have to have no lights? Take a look at Flagstaff. It’s population of approximately 58,000 has been lauded for their ability to keep the skies dimmed by artificial light in order to see the beauty of the night skies.
Sedona is currently enforcing the Dark Sky Ordinace and working to bring businesses into compliance.
This is the presentation made by ADOT at the October 28, 2009, City Council Meeting.
Page 3 of the PDF file shows the on-going schedule to educate pedestrians/bikers/motorists about road safety.
SedonaFacts
Much misinformation about the funding of the SR89A lights is making its way through newsletters, emails, and neighborhoods.
This letter to the City Council should go far into dispelling many of the rumors that the Federal Government has the authority to change the decision of ADOT.
The lights are being put in for safety.
The lights will be like those in Flagstaff = “Dark Sky” compliant.
Flagstaff is the only city in the US having a “Dark Sky” compliant designation.
“…70% of the residents do not want…” A statement that was made by Keep Sedona Beautiful in a recent newsletter (12/5/09).
Maybe yes, maybe no. There has never been a full survey, vote, or count of the “yeas” or “nays” on the issue of the lighting of SR89A.
The City of Sedona puts the year-round residents of Sedona at 10,400. 70% of that figure would mean that 7,280 are against the lights.
Put another way, only 3,120 want the lights.
Or they are undecided. Or both.
The figure of 70% is an unproven number.
If Keep Sedona Beautiful can prove their figures, we will be happy to post the information and cite their source.
NOTE: At a recent KSB meeting, a member asked Steve DeVol for the source of the 70% of Sedonans being against the lights. The response was that it came from a survey done by the Red Rock News. We will contact the Red Rock News for the information about the survey and report back to all of you who want to know the facts.
We have sent an email to the Sedona Red Rock News letting them know that Steve DeVol used them as the source of the information. We have asked for the following information:
Later…
After we reported to you that ADOT had tweeted us that SR89A would continue to be an ADOT priority during the next snow season, we received this press release from Pud Colquit, Sedona City Council Member:
Please send a “thank you” to ADOT. On twitter: @ArizonaDOT
We need to continue to work together. ADOT is a partner with and for Sedona.
One of my neighbors asked what Amendment 12 was an amendment to…
Good first question.
It’s an amendment to the Coconino National Forest Plan. And if you want to read the policies and notices, click here. The site contains the Amendment 12 maps which are very interesting. Some show the small areas of private land that are small islands within the forest. Click here for map 2.
For “The Coconino Plan”, click here.
Did you know that only 14% of the land in Coconino County is in private hands?
Another note: According to Heather Provencio, District Ranger, Red Rock Ranger District: “Plans are not revised without heavy public input”.
2009 Sedona Council Priorities
We wanted to show you the official press release…here are the words:
On Friday, November 20, 2009, the Sedona City Council achieved unanimous consensus on their three highest priorities for the City’s focus over the next fiscal year. The following items were established as the top priorities for staff.
CONTINUED FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AS HIGHEST PRIORITY
This priority includes some of the following items as goals to achieve the priority:
PROVIDE ENHANCED COMMUNICATION PLAN
This priority includes some of the following items as goals to achieve the priority:
FOCUS ON INFRASTRUCTURE PLANS
This priority includes some of the following items as goals to achieve the priority:
Provide a prioritized list of infrastructure issues weighted by importance. Potential projects might include infrastructure such as drainage, streets, sidewalks, and signage.
Include options for increased capital program and corresponding revenue sources for the projects during the upcoming budget cycle.
Mayor Rob Adams noted, “What I heard today is that we agreed as a Council with staff on what our areas of focus should be.”
Councilor Pud Colquitt also stated at the end of the meeting, “We accomplished a lot here today. We talked about several important issues and I think the priorities we have set forth will be important to the residents of Sedona.” The entire Council agreed on this assessment and felt the retreat was a success.
We promised you facts…
Sedona Facts
We were looking back on the last year and decided to bring back Sedona Facts!
…with a few changes… We look forward to your questions and your input. Mostly we want this site to be business-friendly, community-centered, and a center for Q&A. Yes, there are political areas, but it will not be the focus of this site. We’d like to be a site for YOU.
So bring ’em on…your questions, of course!
Sedona Facts
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