More lights no good for White Rock Lake

The latest National Geographic features a piece about light pollution and its toll on wildlife, pertinent to the situation we have here with the proposed White Rock Lake lighting project (more here, and here). The aforementioned article backs up the idea that by making do without all the artificial lighting, we will not only preserve energy, but also protect animals whose biological rhythms can get screwed up when you pollute the night with that “luminous orange glow”.

"Wildlife species have evolved on this planet with biological rhythms—changing that has profound effects," said Travis Longcore, a biogeographer with the Urban Wildlands Group in Los Angeles, who with colleague Catherine Rich, co-organized a conference last year on "Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting."

Since the nights have started falling earlier, I’ve gone out running around the lake in the pitch dark. I can understand the idea behind installing lights — you have to smartly navigate the roadways and paths at night to avoid collision with fellow pedestrians, cyclists and cars. But that’s doable if we just use common sense (I know, it’s a lot to ask for some of us).

The atmosphere at the lake in the dark with just the moon’s glow spilling onto the glassy water — well, it’s just irreplaceable especially here in the city. It was the other night out there in the dark —even as I was forced into a muddy roadside pit by a non-observant motorist —that I decided how I felt at lights around the lake. And that was before reading the National Geographic story. I know the lights advocates have good intentions, but we are already doing so much out there to make it more user friendly. Let's let nighttime be nighttime.

Comments

[Mike]

Christina, you are preaching to che choir!

I am a member of a kayak group that paddles White Rock every Thursday evening, year round. Aside from good exercise and fellowship, I look forward to the serenity and quiet of the evening. The few lights already set up for tests already produce an annoying glare over the water. I cannot imagine what it will be like if all of the proposed lights are installed. Aside from my selfish motives, I would not want to see the native wildlife affected by the extra light.

Another personal concern is the DPARD's lack of wisdom of installing numerous pieces of unnecessary energy consuming lighting at a time when our city government should be making a good example and taking all steps possible to conserve power usage.

Willis Winters, Carolyn Bray, and the many other unnamed wonderful park department staffers do a fabulous job of keeping our urban oasis maintained. I can't help but believe that the lighting decision came from above and beyond their control. If I am correct, all of the proposed lighting equipment has already been conveniently purchased. Hopefully they can use it at other parks because it will be a total overkill at WRL.

[chris]

Can't their be compromise? We don't have to flood the lake and make it look like a cheap used car lot, but some sporatic soft lighting close to the trail itself would be a welcome addition. I had to work really hard not to step off the side of the trail last night it was so dark.

[meredith]

I'm totally selfish. I don't like stepping in holes when I run and twisting my ankles. I also like being able to see more than an inch in front of me, which makes me feel a bit safer from things like mugging and rape. But that's just me.

[Mike]

There has to be some kind of reasonable compromise. RE: the new parking lot at Jackson Point could be reasonably lit with one to three pole lights. Cement bases are already set up for at least ten or so pole lights. The mass number of pole light bases at Jackson is what set off the protests. I think that everyone (homeowners and park users) was expecting a few lights here and there but not a "brighter than daylight" situation. Those multi-million homeowners will think that they are located next to Texas Stadium.

Common sense has to prevail.

Afterthought - Christine, have you made an attempt to contact councilmen Kadane and Allen. It would be interesting if they would let you publish their stands on this issue. However, I doubt if you will get a straight answer from either!