Residents urge City of Yankton to adopt ‘dark sky’ lighting standards to protect night sky and wildlife

Kaye Smyheart, speaking on behalf of the Sierra Club and at the request of the Missouri River National Park, urged the City of Yankton on Aug. 26 to adopt dark-sky-friendly outdoor lighting standards, arguing that light pollution is degrading the community’s night sky and harming wildlife.

"Our dark sky is a natural resource, and we are losing it," Smyheart said, describing light pollution as wasted energy that disrupts ecosystems, human circadian rhythms and stargazing opportunities. She cited Dark Sky International programs, examples of certified communities and model ordinances she said the city could adapt.

Smyheart outlined common problems—sky glow, glare and light trespass—and recommended technical fixes such as shielded downlighting and lower color temperatures. She said model ordinances used by locations including Flagstaff and several national parks are available and suggested a five-year program for compliance, offering the Sierra Club’s help with public education and grant writing.

Retired orthopedic surgeon Dan Johnson backed Smyheart’s presentation, telling commissioners that excess nighttime glare can worsen vision for older residents and disrupt sleep cycles. "Healthy human beings get out in the bright light during the day, and they enjoy darkness at night," Johnson said, adding that properly directed, lower-glare lighting can improve nighttime visibility.

Several residents, including Dennis Minkie, said dark-sky designation could strengthen Yankton’s tourism appeal and criticized existing bright lighting on Meridian Bridge and downtown. Smyheart and other speakers proposed forming a cross-jurisdictional working group involving the city, county, the state park and National Park Service staff to review lighting on bridges, park infrastructure and corridors downtown.

City Manager Leon said the city has incorporated lighting into some planning efforts and that engineers and consultants can be asked to consider dark-sky alternatives in future projects. The commission took the presentation "under advisement" and did not take formal action during the meeting; staff said they will consider the concept during upcoming comprehensive planning and could coordinate follow-up meetings and data collection.

Next steps mentioned by speakers included asking a volunteer (Tom Downs) to complete sky-brightness readings at key sites such as the Meridian Bridge and assembling model ordinances and cost estimates for fixture replacements. Smyheart also offered to share an array of printed ordinances and recent guidance from national parks that she said demonstrated both ecological and financial benefits of dark-sky programs.

The commission made no formal commitment to adopt a dark-sky ordinance at the meeting, but members thanked the presenters and indicated staff would review the materials and how lighting might be included in ongoing planning efforts.