This afternoon Commissioners in Broward County debated whether to leave the light on at the historic Hillsboro Lighthouse in Pompano Beach.
This issue came up after SeaTurtleOversightProtection.org sent the Coast Guard a letter last October.
The group argued the lighthouse disorients sea turtle hatchlings.
The letter stated in part that, "The Hillsboro Lighthouse casts an extremely bright light onto the beach--1,000 watts. Between July 31st and Sept 23, 2011 hatchlings left tracks in the sand indicating their preference for going south towards the lighthouse and some died in the process."
Bright lights distracting baby sea turtles is a common problem along the coast. You'll spot several signs urging residents to turn their lights off during this critical breeding season.
Sea turtle hatchlings emerge from under the sand at night and then instinctively navigate to the "brightest, most open horizon. Under natural nighttime conditions, this will lead them toward the sea", explained the group SeaTurtleOversightProtection.org, "if artificial light is visible, the turtles may head instead toward the light, leading them to increased mortality from a variety of causes."
But the Coast Guard found that Hillsboro Lighthouse's light, "is not likely to adversely affect species," of sea turtles to include Hawksbill, Kemp's Ridley, Leatherback and Loggerhead.
The Florida Inland Navigation District reviewed the letter and found "that the Statement of Concern is without any specific facts to justify changes to the Hillsboro Lighthouse operations."
The Board agreed, voting unanimously to keep the status quo and not make any changes to lighthouse operation.
District 4 Commissioner Chip LaMarca explained how Federal officials believe the lighthouse does not have a big affect on the hatchlings because of its height. It is more than 100-feet tall and so the real problem for hatchlings are condo lights further back and up the beach.
The lighthouse has been operational since 1907 and was electrified in 1932 with "three 250 watt bulbs" according to the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society.
The Coast Guard said it operates year round "displaying two white flashes every 20 seconds. The 1000 watt light is elevated 136 feet above the ground and can be seen for 28 nautical miles."
Wayne Bender lives in a condo nearby. He told Local 10 if the sea turtles have survived and keep returning to the site for the more than 100 years the lighthouse has been operational, he suspects they are doing just fine.
He said the light flashing into the windows of his condo would be his only complaint, but then again, he says if you don't like the light you probably shouldn't own or rent a condo near a lighthouse. As a winter visitor from Canada he finds the lighthouse charming.
Meantime an area boater told Local 10 he relies on the light in the evenings to safely navigate into a nearby inlet.
The Coast Guard is currently studying whether, while functional, the Hillsboro Lighthouse is relevant in today's maritime culture which involves advanced-technology like GPS.
The are undergoing a study right now and are accepting feedback from boaters in the area.
Coast Guard spokesman Chief Russell Tippets told Local 10, "The Coast Guard is evaluating the continued operation of the Hillsboro Inlet Entrance Light (LLNR 775). The Coast Guard is currently engaged in consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service regarding potential impacts to endangered sea turtles from the current operation of the Light. In response to these concerns, the Coast Guard is considering three options: discontinuing the operation of the light, obscuring portions of the light, or continuing the status quo. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from local waterways users and to determine if mariners still utilize the light for navigational purposes.
Any interested party wishing to provide comments should contact: Commander, USCG Seventh District, Brickell Plaza Federal Building, 909 SE 1st Avenue, Miami Florida 33131 Attn: LTJG Andrew Haley at (305) 415-6748, or E-mail andrew.s.haley@uscg.mil no later than April 20, 2012. "