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The most pristine night skies in Michigan are found in the Upper Peninsula, yet all of the designated Dark Sky Preserves are located in the Lower Peninsula. This is due to legislation passed in 2012 mandating that “a Dark Sky Preserve shall not be established in the Upper Peninsula.” The signatories of this letter urge our lawmakers to overturn this prohibition immediately.

Ending the prohibition will:

• restore basic fairness to the law and market;
• open a new avenue for attracting four-season astrotourism revenue;
• have no negative impact whatsoever on industry in lands surrounding Dark Sky Preserves.

A Dark Sky Preserve is an official designation by the Michigan legislature upon state lands. The sole requirement is the use of downward-facing lights, though shielded and motion-detecting lights are also encouraged. The designation imposes zero restriction on other activities within and around the Preserve, including upon motorized and non-motorized recreation.

The simple declaration of an area as a "Dark Sky Preserve" may or may not impact its lighting or the quality of the darkness, especially given that many U.P. state lands have no artificial lighting whatsoever. It does, however, provide an important marketing tool to transform state lands into sought-after destinations in the fast-growing astrotourism industry.

Currently, states like Utah bring in billions of dollars in astrotourism revenue, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has been actively marketing Michigan as a Dark Skies destination through the release of multiple infomercials (1​, 2​, 3). Why should the Lower Peninsula benefit disproportionately from this campaign when the ecology of the Upper Peninsula has the most to offer and the economy has the most to gain?

Thus, we request that our lawmakers lead the charge in overturning this unnecessary restriction upon the right of the Upper Peninsula to self-determine.

Signed,
We The People

*** Michigan businesses and organizations are invited to sign this letter as well.

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NOTE: Donations made on Change.org do not reach our campaign. If you would like to donate directly to allow for more constructive and flexible use of funding, you may do so here.