PETOSKEY -- Governor Snyder will be in Petoskey on Thursday to celebrate the "Dark Sky Coast" bill.
The bill, also known as Public Act 251, protects the night sky above nearly 21,000 acres of land in Northwest Emmet County.
The Dark Sky legislation was signed into law on July 2, and was originally introduced by 107th District State Rep. Frank Foster, of Petoskey. It builds upon the tremendous public interest following designation of the Headlands as an International Dark Sky Park in May of 2011.
"Tourism experiences of all types are important for Michigan and our region, including enjoyment of a pure, undiluted night sky," Foster said, upon introducing the legislation.
The act does not place any requirements on land owners, but it requires that any lighting on the included public lands be directed downward so it will not interfere with viewing of the night sky. It is intended to encourage more residents and visitors to protect the night sky.
Mary Stewart Adams, Program Director at the Dark Sky Park said that the State of Michigan can be proud of it's leadership role in protecting such a resource. "A deep dark night is a vanishing resource for inspiration and creative genius that is largely overlooked in the developed world," Adams said.
The Headlands, which is located in northwest Emmet County is the seventh International Dark Sky Park in the U.S. and just the tenth in the world.
