I sent email to Mayor Schell about the lighting project. I presume it's
okay to forward his reply, so here it is.

Kelly Cassidy

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 18:10:00 -0700
From: Mayors.Office at ci.seattle.wa.us
To: Kelly Cassidy <kelly at oak.cqs.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Lighting up Seattle

Date: 05/27/1998 06:10 pm (Wednesday)
From: Mayors Office
To: "Kelly Cassidy <kelly at oak.cqs.washington.edu> at
Internet" at COS.ccMail
Subject: Re: Lighting up Seattle

May 27, 1998

Kelly Cassidy
kelly at oak.cqs.washington.edu

Dear Kelly:

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding Seattle's
Millennium celebration; specifically, the idea of lighting bridges around
the city.

First, let me say that we are only at the beginning stages of planning for
any city-wide celebration, and that we haven't made any decisions or
announcements about formal elements of a plan. Former mayors Norm Rice,
Charles Royer, and Wes Uhlman have agreed to join me as Co-Chairs of a
Steering Committee to help guide the planning process, but I can assure
you that the planning for Millennium-related events will be
community-driven.

One suggested vision for a recognition of the Millennium is to celebrate
examples of Seattle's lasting natural beauty: our light, our water, and
our woods. Lighting some of Seattle's bridges has been discussed as an
option, but only in the context of showcasing energy efficient lighting
technologies and to improve pedestrian lighting for safety purposes. In
some cases, we can save money and extend the life of systems by replacing
old lighting with new fixtures, especially with low-glare sources to
reduce light pollution. I appreciate and take seriously concerns about
any harmful impacts of lighting upon birds; we want to celebrate our
natural environment, not harm it. The lighting options we've discussed to
this point would direct any new lighting onto the structures, rather than
into the sky. This has proven successful in both Santa Barbara and San
Francisco, cities which have already undertaken their own lighting
projects.

We are now asking the public for their suggestions, ideas, and energy to
help us create the most appropriate lasting legacies as part of the a
Millennium celebration, and your message could not be more timely. I
encourage you to stay involved, and continue sharing your thoughts on how
best to honor our region's past and leave a meaningful legacy for future
generations.

Very truly yours,

Paul Schell


>>> Kelly Cassidy <kelly at oak.cqs.washington.edu> at Internet 05/27 3:19 PM
>>>
Dear Mayor Schell,

I understand you wish to light up the city for the millennium to highlight
Seattle's environmental focus. Lights on buildings, towers, and other
structures are well-documented as the cause of death of millions of
migrating birds, especially during stormy weather. Apparently you also
want to use lots of energy keeping these lights on for a lengthy period.
Maybe for your next brilliant idea, Seattle could celebrate its proximity
to National Parks by paving Mt. Rainier and naming the streets after
native trees.

Kelly Cassidy
Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
University of Washington