More time sought on greenhouse light pollution fix
Give us more time, Essex County's greenhouse growers are pleading with local municipalities vowing to crack down on light pollution that is brightening up the night skies over acres of indoor crops.
“Our growers understand and share community concerns on the effects of light pollution to the environment,” George Gilvesi, chair of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG), said in a recent statement.
But the organization representing almost 120 greenhouse growers in Leamington and Kingsville is critical of recent steps taken by both municipal councils to address concerns expressed by residents over the nighttime light levels used by these agri-food enterprises in the growing of their crops, particularly the fall-to-spring period when the days are shorter and natural sunlight levels are low.
And the OGVG has issued a warning: “The recently enacted bylaws may be proven to be both impractical and unenforceable.”
The glowing nighttime skies over eastern Essex County can be seen from as far away as Michigan and Ohio and prompted recent news coverage from Detroit media. A local member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada called the light pollution “outrageous” and a threat to the dark sky preserve at Point Pelee National Park.
Earlier this month, Leamington town council, following Kingsville's lead, passed the Greenhouse Light Amendment Bylaw that requires, among other things, that greenhouse operators keep their side walls and end walls completely covered with curtains from one hour before sunset to one hour after sunrise. There are also requirements for greenhouse ceiling curtains to be closed at certain times.
In Leamington, the side walls and end walls must be installed and operational by April 1. Enforcement of the ceiling curtain requirements begins Oct. 1.
“We are trying to fix this because our residents are livid,” Leamington Mayor Hilda Macdonald said during her council's Dec. 8 debate. “Our residents' quality of life is affected.”
At the industry's prompting, Leamington council had earlier delayed a decision on the matter to get more feedback from growers and citizens. Most of the 1,300 residents who responded urged 100 per cent closure on greenhouse walls and ceilings during the night.
“We are trying to achieve a workable solution for all,” OGVG general manager Joseph Sbrocchi told council prior to its vote.
Growers argue that 100 per cent closure isn't possible because greenhouses growing food need to be vented. Because of “the realities of Canadian winters,” the growers said additional light and heat is essential to support plant growth.
The OGVG said it is working “diligently to identify technical solutions” and has engaged the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the University of Windsor, the University of Guelph and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada “to identify lighting strategies and abatement techniques and technologies that can work in the unique climate of southern Ontario.”
An agri-food industry source told the Windsor Star that 100 per cent light pollution abatement for greenhouses is probably not possible but that a high percentage could be reached to address community concerns.
“I am confident that our work with government and academia will provide solutions that meet community expectations and ensure the continued production of safe, nutritious, local produce year-round,” Sbrocchi said.
In its statement following council's approval of the new Leamington bylaw, the OGVG, which has over 200 members across the province, said it was “eager to engage the local municipalities of both Kingsville and Leamington on reasonable and enforceable lighting bylaws.”