Community

Fed's put 76 streetlight plan on hold

by Clifford Ochser, President, International Dark Sky Associate Sedona Section

SEDONA, AZ -  Dec 7, 2008 - The Federal Government has stepped onto the stage in Sedona and has stopped ADOT's plan to install 76 streetlights on Hwy. 89A according to a December 6, 2008 letter from Mr. Robert E. Hollis, Division Administrator for the
Federal Department of Transportation.

In the letter to KSB, Hollis states that "all appropriate steps for NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act of 1969) process will be followed."

Hollis goes further to state "the Department of Transportation will consider all viable alternatives that address the current safety concerns on SR 89A."
 
ADOT, although required by federal law, has not begun a NEPA study to determine the environmental impact of the proposed lighting scheme. No work can begin on the project until that study is completed and its results are approved by the Department of Transportation.

Federally funded projects of this type require a NEPA study to assure that the public and the environment are not harmed. ADOT is required to follow the direction of the Department of Transportation regarding the NEPA study and public input and participation are one important component of the study.

 
Opponents to the 76 streetlight scheme have two main arguments. The scheme will not improve safety since 90 percent of the accidents on the road happen during the day and secondly the environmental impact will be devastating to our dark skies. In addition, many are concerned about the amount of carbon emissions produced to light the roadway and the cost to the City of Sedona
for this project has not been identified.
 
KSB, the Sierra Club and the International Dark Sky Association Sedona authored a letter to the Federal Department of Transportation arguing that a NEPA study was necessary and had not been completed by ADOT as required by law.

The opponents to the unnecessary lighting are optimistic that once the federal government understands the impact on the environment and the overwhelming opposition to the project by the community the funding will be redirected to another more credible project in the State of Arizona.