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Mr. Evans, <br><br>
Please do your homework about the physics of light before you
post.<br><br>
For the rest of you interested in this topic, consider that with a bit
over 1000 square miles of land in Latah County, there are 500 rural farm
lights (yard lights). That is <b><i>1 light per 2 square
miles</i></b>. Since many of the lights are clustered in areas
around the urban centers, the average number of light units per square
mile drops considerably. It is dark in the rural parts of this
county.<br><br>
As a rural property owner, let me assure you that I do respect the
concept of light pollution and manage my light use to be as unobtrusive
as possible. All of us in our "neighborhood" work
together to not impose on each other on most issues, including
lighting. If there was a problem, we would find a way to work it
out. I don't recognize your name and I am rather confident that you
don't live near me. So why, exactly, are you attempting to dictate
lighting issues to me and my neighbors. <br><br>
If you, Mr. Evans, would be willing to demand that the County accept all
liability for damage and injury to property and persons that result from
reduced lighting on rural property, would support a fair compensation to
me (or my neighbors) for damages to animals and crops harmed by predators
and foragers, would support public funds be raised to reimburse me (or
rural residents) for damages resulting from burglary, trespass and
general mischief, we can pursue a dialogue. Frankly, I would rather
invest such scarce public dollars in county infrastructure and schools
.... <br><br>
Until then, I will not compromise my responsibility for the health and
safety of my family, my neighbors or my friends for your dark sky
agenda. <br><br>
Until you support full financial responsibility by Latah County for the
consequences for what you are asking me and my neighbors to do in our
neighborhood, why don't you work with your neighbors to deal with the
light pollution in your neighborhood? I assume that you live in
Moscow.<br><br>
At 01:58 PM 1/21/2006, you wrote:<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">
<font face="Times New Roman, Times"><b>Below is a message from Patrick
Evans about Yard Lights and Light Pollution on the Palouse....BL<br>
</b></font><font size=2><br>
<br><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"><b><?xml:namespace prefix =
o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/></b></font><font size=2> <br><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">Mercury vapor yard lights are
good business for the power companies that promote them. To the
power companies it means money but to many of us it means a despoiling of
our night sky and light trespass onto our properties and into homes by
unwitting neighbors. In Latah County today, Clearwater Power has
some 500 mercury vapor yard lights installed on rural properties.
The numbers are increasing and our night sky is fading. Placing
shields on these lights to avoid light going up or laterally is not an
option according to Clearwater Power as these lights are an older model
and cannot be shielded. <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">The basic fact with these
bright mercury vapor yard lights is that the glare reduces the owners
ability to see properly and in effect reduces the owners safety and
security. Shielding these lights not only makes them more effective
for the owners but reduces light trespass and hence conflicts between
neighbors. <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">The Planning and Building
Commission of Latah County has drafted a good outdoor lighting ordinance
which will require all yard lights to be shielded. Clearwater Power
is opposed as they will have to change out all of their older model
mercury vapor lights for something more modern with shields. To
them its all about money but this is our county and our quality of life
that we must work to maintain. There is also a vociferous group of
rural land owners who have no respect for their neighbors and believe
that they should have the right to put up as many mercury vapor yard
lights as they desire. Surely this group of people who would not
know the difference between a planet and a star are in the minority
count the lights 500 to date. The majority of rural land owners
as well as all concerned residents of Latah County now have an
opportunity to demand that all these bright obnoxious lights are fitted
with shields. The Planning Commission has done the work and they
now need to hear from all of us. They need our support to pass this
ordinance.<br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">The draft ordinance is as
follows:<br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">SECTION 9.03 DESIGN
STANDARDS FOR ALL OUTDOOR LIGHTING <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">9.03.01 APPLICABILITY <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">In order to conserve energy
and reduce light pollution, all outdoor lights, including lights attached
to any type of building or structure shall be: <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">1. Equipped with a
photo-sensor so they are automatically turned off during daylight hours;
and <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">2. Of a design that does not
allow light to travel up or horizontally; and <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">3. Lamped with high pressure
sodium, metal halide, or compact fluorescent lamps, or incandescent bulbs
of 60 watts or less. <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">9.03.02 CHANGE IN USE
<br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">When application for a change
of use or for a conditional use permit is made, all existing lighting
must be brought into compliance with Section 9.03.01 of this ordinance.
<br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">9.03.03 QUASI-JUDICIAL
DECISIONS <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">The Zoning Commission or the
Board of Latah County Commissioners may set stricter conditions than are
set in Section 9.03.01 of this ordinance for any type of permit that
comes before them.<br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">Its time to stop the spread
of unshielded mercury vapor yard lights in Latah County. The power
companies should be held accountable and be required to place shield on
all of their yard lights. For homeowners, it is only common decency
to shield your yard lights.<br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">The next public meeting to
discuss this ordinance will be on 7 February at 5.30pm in the county
court house room 2B. Please join to stand up for saving our night
sky and the peacefulness of the Palouse. In the meantime, you can
write to the Planning Commission at
<a href="mailto:pb@latah.id.us">pb@latah.id.us</a> and tell them you
support the ordinance and copy to the county commissioners to keep them
informed.<br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"><b>Key contacts:<br>
</b></font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">Planning and Building
Commission: <a href="mailto:pb@latah.id.us">pb@latah.id.us</a><br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">Janet Hohle
(Commissioner):
<a href="mailto:jhohle@offsiteidahoag.us">jhohle@offsiteidahoag.us</a><br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">Michelle Fuson (PB
Coordinator):
<a href="mailto:mfuson@latah.id.us">mfuson@latah.id.us</a><br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"><b>County Commissioners:<br>
</b></font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">Jack Nelson:
<a href="mailto:jnelson@latah.id.us">jnelson@latah.id.us</a><br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">Paul Kimmmel:
<a href="mailto:pkimmell@latah.id.us">pkimmell@latah.id.us</a><br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">Tom Stroschein:
<a href="mailto:toms@moscow.com">tstroschein@latah.id.us</a><br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times"> <br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">Patrick T. Evans<br>
</font><font size=2><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times">882-6241<br>
</font>_____________________________________________________<br>
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