MBCA President Steve Bardwell shares the story of the years-long effort to improve San Bernardino County's regulations on lighting with 90 Miles from Needles podcast host Chris Clarke and local night sky photographer Mitch Miller. The episode was recorded during an art show with a night sky theme at MazAmar Art Pottery in Pioneertown. The 46-minute podcast is available here.

This YouTube video from Dark Sky International features an excellent presentation about the state of the science of determining and reducing light pollution. The report compiles and provides easy access to thousands of recent research studies on dark sky issues. The presenter, John Barentine, is an astronomer who was an important source of assistance in early dark sky efforts right here in the Morongo Basin when he was a staff member at Dark Sky International. John also outlines 5 issues he believes are of growing concern, and for which research efforts are increasing.

At the County Land Use Services Open House held in Joshua Tree on August 30, MBCA's President Steve Bardwell talked at some length with Mark Wardlaw, new Director of the department. MBCA sent a followup letter outlining concerns about land use issues that affect the Morongo Basin's unincorporated communities particularly. The letter includes some specific suggestions and summarizes our concerns related to water issues, Community Action Guides, climate change, Short-Term Rental ordinances, and a number of other topics.   

The San Bernardino County Light Trespass Ordinance is now official. As we noted in our December 8 news post, "Two of the primary 'wins' of the final version of the ordinance are a shielding requirement and modernization of the terminology and measurement process concerning light trespass. Decorative string lights were one of the final issues of contention, and the approved version of the ordinance will only limit the color temperature and lumen output for residential, not commercial, string lights. The Supervisors agreed to revisit the issue in the future." In the near future, MBCA plans to provide more educational content about the ordinance.

 

In a unanimous vote, the San Bernardino County Supervisors approved the Light Trespass Ordinance that has been championed by MBCA and three successive Third District Dark Sky Committees as part of a decade of citizen action. Third District Supervisor Rowe posted this press release announcing the action. Two of the primary "wins" of the final version of the ordinance are a shielding requirement and modernization of the terminology and measurement process concerning light trespass. Decorative string lights were one of the final issues of contention, and the approved version of the ordinance will only limit the color temperature and lumen output for residential, not commercial, string lights. The Supervisors agreed to revisit the issue in the future. MBCA will provide more details upon official implementation of the ordinance.