Model Lighting Ordinance Now Open for Comment

The International Dark Sky Association's (IDA) Model Lighting Ordinance (MLO) is now available for public review.

The MLO is not an education document, but is an ordinance, written in legally enforcable language and is capable of being adopted by U.S. municipalities. The IDA collaborates with many individuals and agencies-including dark sky advocates, amateur and professional astronomers, manufacturers, technical lighting organizations, designers and many others-to identify ways to promote their core mission: "To protect and restore the natural night environment and mankind's heritage of dark skies.?EUR??,,????'??

The MLO will be a living document, open to changes based upon discovery of better research, new technologies, better enforcability, practical application and substantiated comments from those who participate in the public review process.

To request a copy of the MLO, along with educational materials and a MLO comment form. e-mail the IDA at ida@darksky.org with the subject "MLO Request" along with your name, business affiliation, address, phone, fax and e-mail address.

All submissions for comment must be received by Dec 31, 2004 and will be reviewed by the IDA MLO Comment Review Panel. A revised MLO document should be released in early April 2005.