The Bruce County Astronomical Society, the Owen Sound Field Naturalists, the Saugeen Field Naturalists, and the Friends of MacGregor Point Provincial Park believe the 53 lights planned for the Port Elgin Wal-Mart parking lot will disrupt opportunities to view the night sky, and the activities of local wildlife.
Ross Burkinshaw of the Astronomical Society says the area is very popular right now with astronomers from major cities because the amount of light pollution is still fairly low.
He says it’s the closest place for people from Cambridge, London, and Toronto can get to if they want to look at the stars.
Many of the astronomers use Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area and MacGregor Point park as viewing areas.
The Wal-Mart site is 12 km from Saugeen Bluffs, and five kilometres from MacGregor Point.
The four groups want to see Saugeen Shores adopt a by-law to limit light pollution from future developments.
They also want to persuade Wal-Mart to reduce it’s light pollution without impacting safety in the parking lot.
Mayor Mike Smith says staff will use guidelines to reduce light pollution when they work out a site plan agreement for the new Canadian Tire that will be located next to Wal-Mart.
He says a by-law is also possible for the future.
Councillor Victoria Serda hopes efforts to minimize light pollution are made when details of future developments in Saugeen Shores are discussed.
The groups have documented the amount of light from various parking lots in Saugeen Shores. Along with the Wal-Mart site, other major sources of light include parking lots at the Independent Grocer and Giant Tiger stores in Port Elgin.
