Item B4 B.4
County of Monroe " BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Mayor Craig Cates,District 1
Mayor Pro Tem Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
The Florida Keys
Michelle Lincoln,District 2
James K.Scholl,District 3
David Rice,District 4
County Commission Meeting
April 19, 2023
Agenda Item Number: B.4
Agenda Item Summary #11986
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: BOCC District 5
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Corie Abel 3054538787
Start of Meeting
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: A Proclamation of the Monroe County Commission declaring
April 15th through the 22nd 2023 as Dark Sky Week.
ITEM BACKGROUND: Light pollution continues to increase in the US, including Monroe
County. For these reasons Last Stand and the Florida Keys Chapter of Izaak Walton League would
like for the BOCC to proclaim April 151h through the 22nd 2023 Dark Sky Week.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: N/A
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
DOCUMENTATION:
Dark Sky Week
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Total Dollar Value of Contract:
Total Cost to County:
Current Year Portion:
Budgeted:
Source of Funds:
CPI:
Packet Pg. 27
B.4
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing: If yes, amount:
Grant:
County Match:
Insurance Required:
Additional Details:
N/A
REVIEWED BY:
Corie Abel Completed 04/03/2023 2:06 PM
Bob Shillinger Completed 04/03/2023 5:49 PM
Lindsey Ballard Completed 04/04/2023 9:42 AM
Board of County Commissioners Pending 04/19/2023 9:00 AM
Packet Pg. 28
B.4.a
PROCLAMATION FOR DARK SKY WEEK 2023
WHEREAS, the beauty and wonder of a natural night sky is a shared heritage of all humankind; and
WHEREAS, the experience of seeing a starry night sky inspires feelings of wonder and awe, and
encourages interest in the sciences, technology, engineering, arts and math(STEAM), including among
young people living in MONROE COUNTY; and
WHEREAS, the opportunity to view star-filled skies over Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National
Preserve, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Keys and other areas of the Greater Everglades in Florida with limited light pollution, attracts tourists to this
region and therefore, economic benefit to MONROE COUNTY; and
WHEREAS, "artificial lighting" is defined as light produced by humans for any purpose; and
LO
It-
WHEREAS, "light pollution" is artificial light that causes adverse impacts to the environment, including
excessive light that wastes natural resources, energy and money; and CL
d
WHEREAS, many people in MONROE COUNTY live under a dome of light pollution and are not able to
fully enjoy the cultural, ecological and health benefits of a naturally lit nocturnal environment and night sky >,
in their own communities; and LO
WHEREAS, in 2016, two International Dark Sky Places (Big Cypress National Preserve and Kissimmee
Prairie Preserve State Park) were designated in the State of Florida: both within the Greater Everglades and
face the threat of losing the quality of their natural nights to the skyglow caused by a growing number of
inappropriate or excessive artificial light sources outside their borders; and
0
WHEREAS, light pollution impacts many wildlife species, including sea turtles nesting along the Florida
coastline, birds migrating through the Atlantic flyway, fireflies twinkling within the Everglades and bats,
like the Florida bonneted bat, foraging in open areas across South Florida; and
WHEREAS, light pollution continues to increase in the United States, including in MONROE COUNTY;
and
WHEREAS,protecting the night sky and quality of the nocturnal environment provides many benefits to
MONROE COUNTY communities, including neighborhood livability, safety, quality of life, and access to a
nature; and
WHEREAS, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has recognized that due to the "loss of night sky
quality" to light pollution, the night sky resource has become "nationally significant"I; and
WHEREAS, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), "artificial
lighting is another form of habitat loss" as more lighting encroaches and diminishes dark areas to fewer and
further in between. The FWC also recognizes that artificial light affects both diurnal and nocturnal wildlife
species, and that"even human beings are not immune to the effects of artificial light"2; and
i USFWS Dark Skies Initiative,https://www.fws.gov/ r?oiect/dark-shies-initiative
2 "About Lighting Pollution",FWC,h s://myfwc.c.om/conservatiQL/you-conserve/li htin Pollution
Packet Pg. 29
B.4.a
WHEREAS, solving the problem of light pollution requires educating governments, communities,
businesses, and citizens; and encouraging neighbor and ecology friendly lighting best practices that are
effective in preventing and reducing light pollution in all its forms; and
WHEREAS, each year, "International Dark Sky Week" draws awareness of the importance of the natural
night environment, the far-reaching impacts of light pollution, and the range of solutions that can prevent it,
mitigate it, and reduce it,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
c�
1. Hereby declares April 15th through April 22nd, 2023 as "Dark Sky Week 2023" in MONROE
COUNTY; and N
2. Encourages MONROE COUNTY residents, businesses, visitors, employees and neighbors to
Discover the Night, to celebrate the night sky and the natural nocturnal environment of the Greater
Everglades; and to learn about solutions and responsible lighting practices that prevent and reduce
light pollution and that protect and restore the natural qualities of the night for the good of people,
wildlife, ecosystems, and climate.
c�
0
E
c�
Packet Pg. 30