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06/06/2023 02:03 PMConcerns over the negative effects of light pollution on bird species in Connecticut have manifested into state legislation in the General Assembly with House Bill 6607, which “require state-owned and leased buildings to turn off nonessential outdoor lighting during peak avian migration periods in order to assist in preventing birds from flying into the sides of such buildings.”
Those concerns have trickled their way down to the Lower Connecticut River Valley and the tri-town area in the form of new regulations as well.
The Connecticut River Gateway Commission, a regulatory body with the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG) with the objection to oversee development and protection of the Connecticut River, has adopted a new measure to its Section II regulations regarding light pollution. The new standard establishes its purpose as “to minimize the amount of artificial lighting emanating from Conservation Zone properties in a way that may contribute to light pollution.”
The “Conservation Zone” refers to a narrow column that includes land along the Connecticut River that lies at its center, stretching from East Haddam and southward throughout the rest of Middlesex County.
The conservation commissions of Chester, Essex, and Deep River have given their approval of new criteria added to the Gateway Commission’s standards.
The Gateway Commission defines light pollution as “excessive, misdirected, or obtrusive light from artificial sources emanating from a site shone into the sky, onto the land or into the water column of the Connecticut River… which may result in: brightening of the night sky, inhibiting the observation of stars and planets; light trespass onto neighboring properties including the Connecticut River; visual glare and discomfort; or significant disruptions to wildlife and ecological cycles.”
The overall goals of this new standard to Section II is to reduce the negative nighttime artificial light pollution from new building developments along the River that can disrupt the surrounding environment and cycle of wildlife, including local bird species. According to Misha Semënov-Leiva, an Essex representative to the Gateway Commission, the standard will applies to proposed projects in the Conservation Zone that are over 4,000 square-feet, most of which tend to be large residences.
The Gateway Commission recognizes the multiple negative health effects of excessive light pollution can have on local ecosystems and wildlife.
“Excess night lighting has a major impact on migratory birds and fish, disorienting and dazing them. It also affects the cycling of nutrients through the diel cycle in water bodies, because plankton are less likely to come to the surface at night,” said Semënov-Leiva.
“Excess lighting attracts and kills many insects, which are a vital food source for so many other animals in the river ecosystem,” Semënov-Leiva added.
The Gateway Commission also recognizes negative effects of excessive night lighting on humans, as it “can affect our health by disrupting our bodies’ rhythms, causing poor sleep, anxiety, headaches, and other health issues.”
Going forward, each town represented on the Gateway Commission is in control of their lighting policies and practices, and controlling light pollution mitigation factors such as color, temperature, and spacing that are important to consider when adding lights anywhere, according to the Gateway.
Tri-town conservation committees recognize and are committed to doing their part in meeting the Gateway Commission’s goals.
Kay Tucker, Chair of the Essex Conservation Commission, wrote a letter of approval on the new regulatory standard, viewing it as both environmentally-conscious and economical for Essex homeowners.
“It is well-understood that exterior lighting affects the migratory patterns of birds and the nocturnal cycle of other wildlife. The commission supports [the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Government’s] limitations on the types and kinds of exterior lighting that would be used on new construction projects in Essex. Further, the Essex Conservation Commission encourages all homeowners to review their existing exterior lighting and remain mindful that less lighting can be better for the environment and their wallets,” read the letter of support.
Tucker said that the reduction of exterior lighting can be beneficial for the wallets of Essex residents because of “less electricity used, less monies expended to Eversource or others for usage to light the sky,” that would “intrude an light arc into the surrounding landscape.”
Lisa Wahle, Chair of the Chester Conservation Commission, spoke approvingly of local action by organizations like the Gateway Commission to address the negative environmental and ecological impacts of light pollution.
“Bird conservationists have been aware of this issue for decades. And it's finally making its way into local legislation and local regulations,” said Whale.
Considering Chester, Whale said that “people's general enjoyment of the night sky” is shared amongst residents “who live along the river,” in areas where “we can view the river in the evening,” and “people who use the river at night and their kayaks or on their boats.” Addressing that and the multitude of light pollution-driven issues related to wildlife cycles, including altering nocturnal insect activity, is in the best interest of the commission.
“That’s why we weighed in and why we recognized these issues,” Whale said.
The Gateway Commission hopes that “towns will be inspired to adopt further lighting regulations on their own” and encourages towns to explore individual solutions to the new regulations.
Prior to the Gateway Commission formal adoption, the Essex Planning and Zoning on April 4 approved a text amendment to codify the new standards as part of its zoning regulations.
Tanner Steeves, chair of the Deep River Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission, said they will “review the Gateway Commission’s lighting standards at our next regular meeting,” which is June 8. After which, recommendations may or may not then be made to the town’s planning and zoning board.
Melissa Santos contributed to this report.