[AZ-Observing] Bright lights on AZ-Mex Border
- From: ketelsen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2007 14:37:56 -0700 (MST)
Hi All-
I know most of you don't read the papers from the southern portion of the
state, but figured I would pass this link along, as well as work being
done between Steward Observatory and Border Patrol and Homeland Security.
The comments at the end of the newspaper link are interesting - tells you
who reads the afternoon paper here in Tucson...
-Dean
---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: Bright lights on AZ-Mex Border
From: "Elizabeth Alvarez" <ealvarez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, July 3, 2007 12:58 pm
To: allsteward@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've been getting a lot of questions ... hence this update.
Yesterday's Tucson Citizen had a piece on the border lights
(aka virtual fence) being constructed.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/56243.php
Ignoring minor factual errors, the basic story gives a useful overview.
Issues of concern include not just the virtual fence, but also checkpoints
(permanent and temporary) that are being erected in S. Arizona. The
story is correct in saying that we interacted successfully with the
border patrol in the past when their installations threatened our
astronomical work. It is correct in saying that our colleagues working
on Mt. Hopkins met recently with the border patrol. Kitt Peak has a
similar meeting planned this month between the border patrol and the Kitt
Peak astronomical tenants.
We're still early in the process of discussing the planned checkpoints.
In addition to talking to border patrol about the checkpoints, we have
begun communications with DHS (Homeland Security) about the fence. We've
heard back from the Executive Director of the Secure Border Initiative
with DHS that they "certainly intend to work with [us] and the
astronomical observations to mitigate any impact from [their] efforts."
He gave us a point of contact (a chief engineer) to have the technical
discussions so we understand what their program is doing and they
understand our concerns.
We have further to go on this level as well.
The NSF has expressed an interest (re: both lighting and radio emissions)
and wants to be kept informed.
That's the summary. There's a lot going on, and we have a lot ahead.
As with all of these issues, we have an ongoing need to educate people
about our work and better ways to meet their needs (esp. lighting) while
not destroying our nighttime environment. Fortunately, when people plan
well for their lighting needs, it leads to energy and economic savings,
promotes safety, security, and the utility
of nighttime activities, and allows a beautiful nighttime environment,
one friendly to humans, wildlife, plants, and the night sky.
When we are able to work with people, it turns out to be win-win, but it
takes a lot of time and effort to educate everyone, everywhere about the
value of dark skies and quality nighttime lighting.
We need help from all of you. I'm happy to answer questions and
show you helpful resources so feel free to contact me.
---------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth M. Alvarez del Castillo
Steward Observatory Program Specialist
933 N. Cherry Ave. N312 ealvarez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
University of Arizona (520) 626-9778
Tucson, AZ 85721 (520) 621-7852 (fax)
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