Re - Dark Sky Preserve and Campground proposal

Jul 25, 2018

The Dark Sky Preserve outside Plevna on Highway 506 is a great local commercial and economic asset for the community, providing wonderful viewing for professionals and tourist novices alike.

Of course, great care and careful planning are required to ensure local development which protects the local environment, minimizes light pollution, and which maximizes the Dark Sky Preserve’s esthetics and economic potential for the community, as well as its value to budding astronomers.

While there may be need for increased accommodations for Dark Sky viewers and other tourists, the proposal by the North Frontenac Economic Development Task Force to facilitate a campground immediately west and adjacent to the Preserve may have unintended, undesirable impacts. With campgrounds come cars, RVs, boats, campfires, traffic and other noise and light pollution sources and related activities inconsistent with optimal dark sky viewing.

Let’s hope scientists and environmentalists are consulted by community leaders in making any future plans. It may be that a better option is accommodation and services development in closer proximity to Plevna, still close but sufficiently removed from the viewing area.

Michael Fetzer