NIGHT SKY AND DARK ENVIRONMENTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR ARTIFICIAL LIGHT AT NIGHT ON BLM-MANAGED LANDS TECHNICAL NOTE 457 35 as “night sky friendly.” Examples include, but are not limited to, the IDA’s Fixture Seal of Approval program, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Certified Wildlife Lighting program, and the DesignLights Consortium Light Usage for Night Applications (DLC LUNA) requirements that establish criteria for outdoor lighting at night. Outdoor commercial and industrial luminaires with a DLC LUNA classification meet energy efficiency and lighting quality requirements and have attributes to limit light glow and light trespass (DLC 2021). Be aware of laws and regulations that specify lighting requirements for facilities and activities located on BLM-managed lands. A best practice in one situation may not be applicable in another. A lighting plan will ensure that legal lighting requirements are integrated with opportunities to implement appropriate BMPs listed from this technical note. Existing lighting may be retrofitted or redesigned to accomplish the six principles. However, the most productive time to consider and incorporate these principles is at the lighting design stage. Considering the lighting needs in an integrated fashion is the most economical way to provide for human utility while minimizing light pollution. Good lighting design relies on a thorough understanding of the lighting requirements of people using an area (e.g., what people do in the area, what visual information they need, amount of time spent in the area, potential safety concerns). 4.1 Light Only If Needed: Use Alternatives to Permanent Lighting The purpose of the first guiding principle is to ensure there is a need for every light and to avoid using permanent lighting whenever possible, consistent with safety requirements and the requirements of tasks to be performed. Not all areas need illumination, which is especially true where people pass through briefly and infrequently. Painting curbs or steps, installing retroreflective or luminescent markers, or using light-colored pavement and surfaces are alternatives to permanent lighting in some situations. On trails, people can use red headlamps or flashlights, and on many low-traffic roads, vehicle headlights provide enough illumination for safe travel. The use of shielded vehicle-mounted lights or portable shielded light towers for temporary task lighting also reduces the need for permanently installed light sources. Wayfinding and tasks can be challenging in areas with over-illumination or under-illumination. Overillumination can create issues for dark adaptation of one’s vision. Over-illumination potentially contributes to all types of light pollution (see Section 3.1 for information on light pollution). Avoiding use of permanent lights or using fewer lights (assuming good lighting design and good lighting practices) reduces light pollution affecting ecological resources and humans. It will often save money on energy use, materials, and labor (both for installation and maintenance). For existing lighting systems, simply turning off unneeded lights achieves the same goal. Also, consider whether existing light sources are needed before adjusting or replacing. Where permanently installed lighting is necessary for safety or task performance, careful design can ensure that as little light as possible is used, while providing adequate lighting coverage and illumination. 4.2 Light Only When Needed: Use Lighting Control Technologies This system allows users to access light when needed without the cost and associated light pollution when the facility is not in use.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTkzMzk=