Dark Skies Gorge – November Update

Hi, everyone, and happy November new moon (tonight!).  It's supposed to be a bit less cloudy these next few days, so let's try to catch some of our dark skies.  This month we've got some exciting developments here in the Gorge, some Dark Sky doings south of here, and another interstellar journey.  Hope you find something you like.

HOOD RIVER CITY'S NEW OUTDOOR LIGHTING CODE IS ADVANCING

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City planning staff and outside consultants have drafted a revised development code

Module 4 of this new draft code includes two sections about outdoor lighting: (1) Outdoor Lighting and (2) Outdoor Lighting Standards.  We are thrilled to read that:

"The current zoning code includes regulations that are intended to reduce lighting impacts in commercial and industrial zones, [but] without sufficient detail to be effective.  Staff recommends updating lighting regulations to shield lighting sources, limit spillover at property lines, and to include a number of "dark sky" approaches...."

Our thanks to City planners and to the outside consultants for recognizing that residents want to limit -- and hopefully reduce -- nighttime light pollution in the Gorge.  Kudos to them, and we at Dark Skies Gorge will do everything we can to support their work going forward.

The City's Planning Commission reviewed this draft this past Monday

As an early step in the process, the Planning Commission convened in person and by Zoom to discuss several sections of this first draft.  We don't yet know their conclusions, but one of us (Mike Hendricks) spoke before their discussion and encouraged them to support strong language to protect our night skies.  We thank the Commissioners for the time and effort it took to study and then discuss this long, detailed document.

The Hood River City Council will be discussing this draft next week

As another early step in the process, the City Council is planning to discuss this draft this coming Monday, and one of us (Mark Zanmiller) is planning to speak before their discussion.  This meeting is open to the public, either in person or via Zoom, if you'd like to attend, and we'll update you next month.

As you can see, these are exciting times for Dark Sky efforts in Hood River.  We feel confident that a new development code will include much better language about stopping light pollution, even though we don't yet know exactly what that language will be.  Stay tuned!

THE HOOD RIVER-WHITE SALMON BRIDGE PROJECT IS PICKING UP STEAM

We know there's some skepticism about the new bridge, but the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority is staying optimistic.  In their words, they have:

"voted unanimously to approve a final design contract with Kiewit Infrastructure West.  Kiewit will complete the full design of the new bridge and guide the project through pre-construction.  This officially moves the project out of the planning phase and into final design.  Over the next 18 months, Kiewit’s engineers will develop a construction-ready design. If full funding is secured, construction could begin as early as fall 2027."

The Bridge Authority also shares some encouraging news about state-level funding:  

"Earlier this summer, both Oregon and Washington wrapped up their legislative sessions and the project reached a major goal: $125 million funding commitments from both Oregon and Washington. The combined $250 million in state funding represents the full required state match. This investment shows strong local support and boosts our chances of receiving additional federal funding."

You may remember that we've been in regular contact with the outside expert who is responsible for designing the lighting on the new bridge, and here's what he said just this week:

"We are just getting started again, no changes to report at the moment from a lighting side.  Still providing full cut off to avoid uplight into the night sky, and reducing the impact on the river below."

This fellow is experienced in Dark Sky approaches and has been very collaborative to work with, so we'll keep you up to date as things develop.

THE LIGHTWELL HOTEL IS NOW OPEN

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This new hotel, in an historic old building in downtown Hood River, is now open for business.  You may remember that we were concerned about the brightness of the overhead sign.  This photo (from the hotel's website) shows the sign. 

According to Ceb Barrs, Lightwell's construction superintendent, the hotel is aware of the problem, wants to correct it, and has already replaced all 72 bulbs with programmable ones that allow the hotel to adjust both the sign's color ("whiteness") and brightness.  But the sign is apparently wired onto a circuit with some other lights on the roof deck, and those other lights are essential.  To his credit, Ceb has called on outside experts to help solve this dilemma, and he's committed to finding a solution.  We'll update you when we learn more -- and in the meantime we'll applaud Ceb's efforts to be a good Dark Sky citizen.

OREGON'S NIGHT SKY DATA ARE BEING COMPILED AGAIN THIS MONTH

There are 78 Sky Quality Meters (SQMs) around Oregon, including 10 in the Columbia River Gorge.  These 10 SQMs in the Gorge provide data each night to support the "night sky quality" component of the Columbia River Gorge Commission’s Vital Sign Indicators Program.  One of us (Mike McKeag) is heavily involved in this effort, and he's currently compiling data gathered by local volunteers -- here and around the state.  In January, DarkSky Oregon will publish an annual report from this Skyglow Measurement Network, and we'll remind you when it's available.

VIEWING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS -- IN FLORIDA!!

Dark Skies Gorge member and supporter Tina Castanares reports that Florida residents saw the Northern Lights recently.  This may look like a sunset photo, but it's actually a nighttime photo (note the stars in the sky) from Clearwater, Florida.  Amazing what our Dark Skies give us, isn't it?  Thanks for the tip, Tina.  And a note to everyone -- feel free to send us anything you'd like to see in these updates.  You're as much an author as we are.

DARK SKIES IN ARIZONA AND UTAH

One of us (Mike Hendricks) recently had the chance to visit Flagstaff, Arizona -- the very first certified International Dark Sky Community.  It was officially designated a Dark Sky Community in 2001, but the City of Flagstaff was active long before then -- it implemented the world's first ordinance to regulate light pollution way back in 1958!  As you can see, their commitment has worked well, and they still take dark skies seriously:

Mike also had the chance to visit Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah, each of which was designated by DarkSky International as an International Dark Sky Park over 20 years ago.  They also take Dark Skies seriously, and it works there, too:

(Taken by a bad photographer using a hand-held iPhone 16)

FINALLY, A LITTLE INTERSTELLAR GYMNASTICS

Here's the "Cartwheel" galaxy, courtesy of the James Webb Space Telescope.  This place is about 500 million light-years away, but if you hang around on Earth for a few billion years, you can see it crash into the nearby Andromeda galaxy.  What do you think -- might astronomers then call it the "Backflip" galaxy?    😞

Okay, that's it for this month.  We'll try to stay on top of things if you'll get outside at night and look up.  And remember -- let's keep ourselves in the dark.

Best,    Mike Hendricks, Mike McKeag, Mark Zanmiller

            Co-chairs, Dark Skies Gorge