FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Vekol Rd. Rest Area Proposal

["Tom Polakis" <polakis@xxxxxxxx>]

George Kolb alerted the EVAC list to a story in today's Arizona Republic
that is of interest to Phoenix amateur astronomers.  A rest area is being
considered for the Vekol Road exit on Interstate 8.  The story may be
found at:

http://www.azcentral.com:80/news/articles/breaking/0114RestArea14.html

You will notice that the story mentions the Sierra Club's opposition to
the rest area on the grounds that it is located in a National Monument. 
Their related page on that subject is at (hope this URL works):


http://arizona.sierraclub.org/pr_and_alerts/pr_and_alerts_2001/alert_12-19-01.asp


I don't think that angry letters of opposition are the answer, but a
coordinated effort it.  The East Valley Astronomy Club has now reached 200
members, many of which use the site regularly.  While we are surely not
going to stop the project in its tracks, we can at least insist up front
on reasonable lighting.  As this has everything to do with Arizona and
observing, perhaps this is a good forum for a brainstorm on what to think
about.  I'll go first.

- Find out what the IDA can do for us to help.

- Discuss this with Chris Luginbuhl, who almost singlehandedly set the
Flagstaff lighting ordinance.

- Become very familiar with Maricopa County's lighting code.

- Learn exactly who in ADOT and HDR Engineering is responsible, and make a
coordinated effort to pester them, not innocent bystanders.

- Form a small committee from EVAC complete with a spokesperson rather
than send random, emotional notes from EVAC members.  I volunteer to
participate, though I bet anybody would make a better spokesperson than
me.

- contact Julie Sherman, National Monument coordinator of the Sierra
Club.  Are there other viable sites, such as 7 miles to the east near the
existing Table Top RV Resort?


Okay, those are my first thoughts.  I'm particularly interested because I
have been using this site since early 1986, when I searched for a location
an hour from my home.  I defy you to find a better dark-sky site in any
direction one hour from Phoenix.

Tom

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