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Pollution at the Dakota Dunes Casino |
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The
Saskatchewan Light
Pollution Abatement Committee,
the
Hamlet of Beaver
Creek
and the
residents of Pike
Lake
are opposed to the
sky-polluting lighting scheme chosen by the Dakota Dunes Casino.
The "teepee of light" and the side-facing parking lot
lights trespass onto residents' properties, producing glare and
destroying their night sky.
The casino is central within a cluster of a
provincial park,
a school
science camp, a
nature park
and two hamlets,
all of which will be negatively impacted without the
implementation of responsible lighting policies.
The Dakota Dunes
Casino project is a joint development by the Federation of
Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and the Saskatchewan Indian
Gaming Authority (SIGA). It opened its doors on the Whitecap Dakota First Nation south of
Saskatoon on August 10th, 2007.
The Dakota Dunes Casino
' Teepee of Light'
By way of announcing
its presence, the Dakota Dunes Casino turned on seven 4000-watt spotlights
shining into the sky in the shape of a teepee. This monument of light will shines unimpeded upward to the stars and will continue on forever, polluting the nighttime
sky daily from dusk until closing .
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The 'Artist's
Concept'
originally presented to the public did not show the diverging
beams of light above the 'teepee', almost lost in the glow of over
100 mis-pointed parking lot lights.
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These
calculations ('candlepower'
/ 'electrical')
will let you understand exactly how bright, obtrusive and
non-environmental these lights are, especially in an inherently
dark rural community! In
the country or in the city, these spotlights will certainly be the
major feature in the new skyline!
The lights are deliberately brilliant, designed to be seen for many dozens of
kilometres. This will have an adverse effect on the skies above hundreds of cottagers and residents of Pike Lake and the Hamlet of Beaver Creek. The casino is located centrally among three nature conservation areas: Pike Lake Provincial Park, the Beaver Creek Conservation Area, and the Brightwater Science and Nature Camp. The casino is also adjacent to the Dundurn Military Base. It borders the Rural Municipalities
(RM) of Corman Park, Dundurn, and Delisle. We have no issue about the operations of the casino – only about the light pollution and wasted energy the casino will produce, and its adverse effect on the rural environment of the local citizens.
The issue over casino spotlights is not an issue about the economic viability of the casino. The lights are not required for the casino to be profitable; hundreds of other casinos do well without light teepees. The issue is whether or not a “monument of light” produced by a single building overrules the rights of hundreds of local residences to a dark night without light nuisance or light trespass onto their land. Acreage dwellers chose to live in the country long before the casino existed because they enjoy a natural setting and a natural day/night cycle without Las Vegas-type lighting intruding. They are worried about the values of their property, their way of life and destruction of their environment, which includes the night sky. This is an issue of property rights for all rural residents – farmers, cottagers and acreage owners.
The casino is located on land leased from the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. It is sponsored by the seven First Nations of the Saskatoon Tribal Council and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations
(FSIN) and run by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) who have exclusive gaming rights in the province. Environmental assessment for the construction of the casino falls under the federal Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(INAC) who have delegated it back to the White Cap First Nation through a pilot program called the First Nations Land Management Initiative.
Profits from the casino are split between SIGA and the Government of Saskatchewan, with the government receiving 37.5%.
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So,
if you think the lights of the casino won't bother you...
check out this picture of the area lighting taken by Mark
Kornder from his acreage near Pike Lake, 5 kilometres
away, prior to all the lights being installed. Mark can directly see every light that has
been erected. The bright string of lights are from
ill-pointed parking lot luminaries that are shining
sideways (but could be easily re-pointed downward) and
from one of the spotlights which was shining at
reduced (since we began complaining) power. The
final design is for 7 spotlight of much higher intensity.
And that's not all the lights that are planned! More
lights will be added at the highway intersection, along
the 1-km long casino feeder road, on a 5-story hotel
complex and eventually to light up a residential
subdivision! It's going to get much brighter than it
is now, removing the dark night sky from the large
number of surrounding acreages. The picture was
taken March 31, 2007. With some simple design
changes, most of this stray lighting can be entirely
eliminated. SIGA doesn't seem to care about the
concerns of the affected neighbouring acreages.
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The
photo at the right was taken from approximately 90
kilometers south of the Dakota Dunes Casino, showing the
City of Saskatoon, 15 minutes further north, lighting up
low-lying clouds. The casino light spray is almost
lost in the glow, but holds its own (click on the photo
for a larger view).
When the lights from a single business can be seen against
the backdrop of a city, you know they're probably a little
excessive.
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Photo
courtesy Tenho Toumi
30sec / F/3.5 / ISO1600 / no enhancement |
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Chronology
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Current State of our Protest
(last updated August 18th,
2007)
Letters from concerned citizens and the SLPAC have been sent to many government departments have all been forwarded to the John
Nilson, Minister of the Environment. Letters to the Whitecap Dakota First Nation and FSIN have been forwarded to
SIGA. Clearly, the Department of the Environment and SIGA are seen by everyone as the major players.
It seems that most government departments see this as a de facto environmental issue. However, on January 12, 2007, the Minister of the Environment returned letters to Kornder and the SLPAC stating that this was not an environmental issue, but “an issue of property rights under common law [under nuisance or trespass laws] that have been traditionally dealt with through the courts and may also be regulated by municipal bylaw or band council resolution.” Although there is light pollution legislation in other provinces and US states, Saskatchewan has never enacted any legislation to protect their Land of Living Skies.
We have since met with MP Don Morgan, and other meetings with MLAs and other officials will continue. The letter writing campaign also continues, though to date, SIGA has not responded to any of our requests for meetings or information.
IF YOU HAVE STRONG OPINIONS ON THIS SUBJECT, PLEASE WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL MP, MLA, REEVE, or to
SIGA, FSIN or the Whitecap First Nation. Addresses are at the
bottom of this page.
History of the Fight against the Teepee of Light at the Dakota Dunes Casino
Jun. 2003
An article in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix showed three architectural renderings of a potential casino in downtown Saskatoon.
Oct. 2003
City of Saskatoon held public hearing concerning the location of a new casino in downtown Saskatoon. Representatives of the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
(SIGA) were present to answer questions. Richard Huziak attended the meeting to suggest that designs with upward lighting were unacceptable because they produced light pollution. After the meeting he had conversations with two SIGA representatives who stated that “these were only conceptual drawings and the casino didn’t have to look like that”.
Aug. 22,
2003 The Star Phoenix runs “Downtown casino not in the cards”, where it is announced that two-thirds of Saskatoon residents reject the idea of a downtown casino, and FSIN decides to move the casino to the Whitecap Dakota First Nation, 23 kilometres SSW of Saskatoon.
Feb. 11,
2005 An article appeared in the Star Phoenix “Casino design unveiled”. The design that had been chosen was the teepee of light design – the worst of the three original designs for light pollution, and the exact design the LPA had protested at the City of Saskatoon meetings. The article quotes Charles Boyd, the chief architect from Thalden Boyd Architects as stating “There has to be a wow factor”. Thalden Boyd is well-known for designing Las Vegas style casinos. FSIN chief Glenn Johnstone states “I just love it”…”The strobes (sic) of light should get the attention of business travelers flying overhead” [The lights will be fixed beams]. The casino may also have “a wall displaying simulated northern lights…” We’ve always wondered why they just don’t turn the light off and watch the real northern lights in the sky! It is clear from these descriptions that the designers and owners want the casino to be seen from very large distances, using lights projected high into the sky.
Feb. 19,
2005 The Star Phoenix ran Huziak’s Letter to the Editor: “Casino lights threaten to create ‘Dying Skies’”. The letter complained about environmental damage that the lights would create and suggested that Saskatchewan’s Land of Living Skies motto should be respected.
A few days later, based on the letter of the editor, the SLPAC received a call from the Hamlet of Beaver Creek representative Brian Newman, and at few days after that we held a meeting to discuss possible options.
Mar. 2005
At the request of the Hamlet, Mr. Newman has a conversation with whom he believed was a credible authority from the Whitecap Dakota First Nation, who assured him that the design would be environmentally friendly. On the weight of this discussion, we dropped the issue in favour of more immediate LPA concerns elsewhere.
Sept. 2006
Pike Lake and Beaver Creek residents were astounded when spotlights began sweeping their skies, visible from Delisle to
Dundurn. Two spotlights in the several thousand watt range began sweeping the skies, producing solid beams of light directly above Brightwater Camp, 10 kilometres north of their source.
Oct. 30,
2006 Pike Lake resident Mark Kornder contacts the SPLAC & Brian Newman to discuss what can be done to stop the destruction on his nighttime skies. He has a clear view across Pike Lake to the casino, seven kilometres distant.
Nov. 8, 2006
Meeting of 21 concerned Pike Lake residents was held at the Pike Lake Community
Centre. Kornder, & Newman attend. SLPAC (Huziak) did a presentation. It was decided to begin a letter writing campaign. Letters were sent to
SIGA, John Nilson (the Minister of the Environment), FSIN, Lynne Yelich (MP for Blackstrap) and many other government offices. Yelich forwards her letter to the City of Saskatoon! By early 2007, over 100 letters had been sent to government and casino officials.
Nov. 22,
2006 Second meeting held at Pike Lake Community Centre with 26 attendees, including Pike Lake Provincial Park manager.
Dec. 6, 2006
An article in the Country Press (newspaper of the RMs around Saskatoon) appears, Casino spotlights raise concerns in Pike Lake area, (Alan Bell-Chambers). Chambers interviewed Kornder and
Huziak.
Jan. 3 2007
A second article appears in the Country Press, Casino Lights (Bell-Chambers) which describes the letter writing campaign. Interviews quote Chief Darcy Bear, SIGA Director of Communications Stephen Shaheen and Beaver Creek’s Brian Newman. Shaheen states “the lights are an important part of the plan to the building of the most magnificent entertainment facility in the province, something the entire region can be proud of.” Shaheen states that SIGA is proceeding with plans to install the spotlights despite receiving letters of concern. … “the lights will create a landmark that will be seen for many miles.” Newman and the SPLAC are not impressed.
Jan 7, 2007
The story is picked up on the front page of the Star Phoenix, Residents take dim view of casino’s bright lights. (Lori
Coolican). Shaheen again states “We want it to be spectacular, because we are in the business of entertainment and gaming, and that’s what we decided.” Huziak is quoted explaining light pollution issues. Shaheen states that SIGA is in the processes of setting up a meeting. But no one is contacted.
Jan 24, 2007
A third article appears in the Country Press, Casino lights non-issue for some (Bell-Chambers). Chambers quotes RM of Dundurn Reeve Fred Wilson, … “To say they want a dark sky, that’s pretty well impossible”. RM of Corman Park, Craig Riddell states that the lighting plan is “too dramatic”, and would like to see another round of consultation with residents. Federal MP for Blackstrap, Lynn Yelich states “I learned about [the] light pollution.” I said, “really? I love lights”. Yelich stated she couldn’t empathize with people complaining about them.
Feb. 7, 2007
Country Press prints a Letter to the Editor from SPLAC “Are Casino Lights a Matter of ‘Love’?”, a direct response to statements made by Lynne Yelich (CP, Jan 24). Huziak explains the history of the fight against the lights (in that this is an issue that has been ignored by SIGA and the government for years), and states that government officials are there to listen to the concerns of the tax-paying citizens.
Feb. 7, 2007
The Star Phoenix prints a story about the casino, with an opening date projected to be September 25, 2007. No reporter asks questions about the residents’ concerns, despite this being front page news only a month before.
Feb. 15,
2007 More letters are sent to Zane Hansen
(SIGA) & Chief Darcy Bear (Whitecap) by Mark Kornder. No response has been received up to 12 Mar. 2007.
Feb. 21,
2007 Country Press prints a Letter to the Editor from Mark
Kornder, “the casino lights will harm quality of life”, reiterating the original concerns over the effects of spilled light on the life of people who choose to live in the country.
Feb. 23,
2007 Brian Newman, Mark Kornder and Richard Huziak meet with MLA Don Morgan to discuss possible government legislative actions.
Mar. 6, 2007
Approximately 124 lighting fixtures on 8-metre high standards, each likely 500 watt
luminaires come on at the casino. These lights are meant to illuminate the parking lot, but the fixtures are pointed at a 45-degree angle in
all directions, so light
spills off of the casino property. The pointing is so bad that the bare bulbs can be seen glaring from Pike Lake, which is 7 kilometres away. The problem is exaggerated because the casino is on a rise about 30 metres above the general country side, so any mispoint is magnified. A simple solution would be to
point the fixtures to be horizontal, thus directing the light to the parking lot where it is intended to used. We have requested this change by letter.
Mar.
23, 2007 Mark Korder writes to Premier Calvert requesting personal
intervention (see
the letter here).
No positive response occurred.
April,
2007
On advise of legal council, the surrounding communities
decide to organize a new ENGO called “Rural
Environment Protection Association of Saskatchewan”.
REPAS, due to local residency, has a better chance of
fighting casino lighting due to the direct local impact.
Formal application to the Sask government is made in June.
Apr.
23, 2007
Casino light issue was presentated by Rick Huziak &
Brian Newman at the Hamlet of Beaver Creek Annual General Meeting.
Residents voted to support REPAS and voted to continue the
fight against casino spotlighting.
Jun.
11, 2007
SIGA announces the casino construction is ahead of schedule
and that a pre-opening for Whitecap residents and invited guest
(we are assuming government) officials will occur August 7,
with public opening on August 10.
Jun.
15, 2007
The Saskatchewan Law
Reform Commission (SLRC) met to discuss the issue of light
pollution on Saskatchewan and the impact of casino lighting.
Their mandate apparently came from Environment Minister
John Nilson. The
commission apparently requested a more detailed report beyond
recommendations on how to implement LPA legislation (if desired)
but expanded their mandate to what should be recommended for
legislation or policy.
Jun. 22,
2007
SLPAC and community reps met with law experts to set the
course to challenge casino lighting on the basis of their
potential violation of the Saskatchewan
Enviroment and Management Protection Act
(EMPA) and the Saskatchewan
Environmental Assessment Act
(SEAA). If a challenge can be made, the Minister of the
Environment John Nilsen is required to respond within 90 days.
To challenge EMPA, the offense must have occurred.
We cannot necessarily submit the challenge prior to the
spotlights coming on.
Jul.
7, 2007
Casino issue article appears in the Saskatchewan EcoNet (SEN)
Bulletin, and the Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) July
5th newsletter
.
Jul.
12, 2007 Casino
lighting issue presented by Rick Huziak to Deputy
Minister Alan Parkinson at a Saskatchewan EcoNet forum in
Saskatoon. A written
description of the issue was presented to the DM.
The DM has not yet responded.
Jul.
26, 2007 Public
meeting is booked for the Pike Lake community centre (7:00 pm) to
introduce REPAS and update the community on progress.
Aug.
1, 2007
The County
Press (Aug. 1, 2007, Alan Bell-Chambers) reports on the
Pike Lake Community meeting of Jul. 26 in a well-balanced article
that states the opinions of the residents.
Bell-Chambers was unable to get a comment from SIGA for the
article.
Aug. 6, 2007
Mark Kornder, Brian Newman, Rick Huziak meet with
David
Forbes, Minister of Labour and Minister Responsible for the
Meewasin Valley Authority
(and past-Minister of the Environment).
Forbes states “he’ll ask around”.
Aug.
9, 2007
A casino pre-opening
gala for
Whitecap residents and invited guest (business leaders and
government officials) is held. During his address to the
crowd, Chief Lawrence Joseph acknowledged that not everyone was
happy with the teepee lighting scheme. The casino
lights were NOT turned on for the officials to see as they left
the event at dusk. We
are assuming this was as to not bring more “light” onto the
subject. A
REPAS member handed out protest cards during the event to raise
awareness.
Aug. 10,
2007
Casino
opens, lights blazing.
Despite sending materials to the Star Phoenix that the residents are still upset about the teepee
of light (citing L. Coolican, SP,
Jan. 4, 2007, and Alan Bell-Chambers, County
Press, Aug. 1, 2007), the
Star Phoenix does not include this controversy in any of their
coverage of the opening.
Surprised?
Aug.
16, 2007
Star Phoenix
publishes a Letter to the Editor entitled “Casino’s
garish light display pollutes Saskatchewan’s night sky”
(Lynn Oliver). Lynn
lives near the casino. She
refers to the tepee of light as “man-made light graffiti” and a “marketing strategy gone wild”.
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Some letters and useful documents (*Sask
LPA committee members only):
10-Feb-05
Dakota
Dunes Casino unveils design in meeting Feb 10 . (
page
1*
page
2* )
04-Jan-07
StarPhoenix
article re opposition to lights (link
or more*)
07-Jan-07
Article
re Casino dispute from the Country Press.
Lynne
Yelich (Con MP -
Blackstrap) is quoted as saying that she
"couldn't
empathize with people complaining about (light
pollution)".
(more*).
24-Jan-07
Letter from Saskatchewan Minister of the Environment
stating position
(PDF)
06-Feb-07
Email & response, communication with Transport Canada to inquire re compliance under
Canadian Aviation Regulations. (letters)
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Addresses of those Involved with the Dakota Dunes Casino
Zane Hansen, President & CEO
Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
250 – 103 C Packham Avenue
Saskatoon, SK.
S7N 4K4
Chief Darcy Bear
Whitecap Dakota First Nation
Site 507, Box 28, RR 5
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
S7K 3J8
The Honourable Brad Wall,
Premier of Saskatchewan
Room
226 Legislative Building
Regina, Saskatchewan
CANADA S4S 0B3
Telephone: (306) 787-9433
Facsimile: (306) 787-0885
E-mail: premier@gov.sk.ca
Please provide your full name and mailing address, as any response
from the Premier will be delivered by Canada Post.
The
Honourable Nancy Heppner,
Minister of Environment
Room 315 Legislative Building
Regina, Saskatchewan
CANADA S4S 0B3
Telephone: (306) 787-0393
heppner.mla@sasktel.net
www.nancyheppner.com
The
Honourable Dan D'Autremont,
Minister Responsible
for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA)
Room 303 Legislative Building
Regina, Saskatchewan
CANADA S4S 0B3
Telephone: (306) 787-0942
cannington.mla@sasktel.net
www.dandautremont.ca
Please send us a copy of letters you are
writing:
REPAS
Box 35, Site 308, RR 3
Saskatoon, SK. S7K 3J6
phone 306-249-2003
e-mail: repas-inc@hotmail.com
The Saskatchewan Light Pollution Abatement Committee
C/O RASC Saskatoon
PO Box 317, RPO University
Saskatoon, SK. S7N 4J8
email: huziak@sedsystems.ca
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