Letter: Lowe's project will steal the night sky.

Below is a letter to the editor, The Daily Item, Monday Oct. 25, by William Reilly.

Others and I have the same question about the night sky.  Not only are the stars becoming difficult to see, Spring Pond Woods is an important regional wildlife corridor.  It is important to keep these woods dark for the harmony of the wildlife and the community.  This project is already proposing to clear away a habitat, but to light the remaining area at night, is introducing further threat.

On July 15th, in a Salem Planning Board Meeting, open to the public, Lowe's discussed using lighting which will not illuminate the sky (but not on 4' poles), and Walmart discussed nothing about it.  I stood to argue, that the lights in the parking lot will not be illuminating an empty, asphalt parking lot, yet light will be shining down on metallic surfaces, such as glass and metal on vehicles, whereby reflecting light into the sky.  And as vehicles travel up the inclining roadway to reach Lowe's parking lot, the headlights will be shining in the night sky and direction of the forest... and as they travel around in the parking lots.

My question remains.  Even with precautionary lighting to reduce illumination in the sky, it is safe to say, the sky or nearby woods will not be dark, and how much will it be illuminated?

I have a question for you.  Most of your letter highlights several concerns, but it seems there is an argument in the last paragraph, which seems unfinished?  

Good work on raising the question.

peace on