Currently, Brookings, Oregon does not have an outdoor light ordinance like rural Deschutes County in Oregon, and in many rural communities throughout the United States. I gave two presentations to the City Council and yet, they refuse to address this issue. States like California have an outdoor light statute for the ENTIRE state. It's that important.
A "good neighbor lighting" ordinance like those passed in other places throughout Oregon would require that all private and commercial outdoor lighting fixtures be:
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an incandescent bulb (1,800 lumens) if 120 watt or brighter
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shielded by design or modification that directs light downward (i.e. a cover)
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limited in the direct line-of-sight of the fixture’s lamp to the property on which the fixture is installed. Tiffany Berg's light is directed mostly at my property and the sky.
Deschutes County adopted this outdoor lighting ordinance, which received broad-based support. Their objective include:
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that lights be installed so they are focused on the ground where needed.
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lights should improve visibility and safety and eliminate dark shadows and glare.
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light on the property should be limited to the property for which it is installed.
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keeping rural skies sparkling with stars and planets.
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the ability to minimizes energy use and operating cost.
Oregon passed House Bill 3319 in 2021 in association with the International Dark-Sky Association because light pollution presents serious risks to humans and animal health and also has consequences for the global climate. According to the NIH, the American Medical Association, and Harvard Medical School, there is evidence that light pollution may cause adverse health outcomes including cancer, and emotional and behavioral issues, such as depression and sleep.
