Outdoor Lighting Assessment Protocols

IDA and NPS will cooperate on development, testing, verification, and promulgation of outdoor lighting inventory protocols. After review and development, protocols will be tested and refined in at least one additional Colorado Plateau NPS unit. Methods for widespread use of protocols will be developed, enabling parks, park partners, and park volunteers to effectively assess lighting. Such an inventory will assist parks in achieving their sustainability goals, target the most effective demonstration projects, and enable the measurement of success in lighting retrofits. These products would also be in line with the ongoing cooperative work between IDA and NPS on Dark Sky Places designation. Protocol development may be paired with outdoor lighting upgrades to accelerate the achievement of sustainability goals and further test assessment protocols. Task Agreement products are expected to have wide applicability across other public lands, or where communities and business are concerned about their impact upon adjacent environmentally sensitive areas.