A proposed Olympic Legacy project along the Jordan River isn't for the birds, an environmental group says.
Salt Lake City Councilman Carlton Christensen wants to put Olympic-themed benches and light poles between North Temple and 1000 North along the Jordan River Parkway, in the process improving safety and security in the area.
But the lights have Great Salt Lake Audubon executive director Jeff Salt opposing that part of the plan. Salt said in a May 29 letter to Christensen that lights could drive nesting birds away from the area.
"Nighttime lighting stresses bird populations and is a leading cause of loss of wildlife populations in urban areas," Salt wrote.
Red-tailed hawks, kestrels (a type of falcon) and peregrine falcons are a few bird species that could suffer from bright lights, such as the ones that were recently installed along the parkway near 1200 South. Those lights are tall, bright and illuminate the tree canopy at night.
"It's going to impact the habits of birds that have used that corridor because it's been dark for 150 years and now suddenly it's blazing bright at night," Salt said.
The situation might be similar to what humans would experience if they were subjected to unusually bright lights every night right outside a bedroom window. Physically and mentally those lights could take their toll. The fear is that birds in that kind of a situation would just leave the area.
Another worry is that other cities with trails along the 44-mile Jordan River, in Salt Lake and Utah counties, will follow suit with environmentally unfriendly lighting, albeit in the name of security.
"I do think there is a general feeling in the community that they would prefer the lights for safety," Christensen said of his proposal.
The plan is to install at least eight lights along the trail in the proposed area. Salt suggested keeping the poles to about 8 feet high and deflecting the light toward the ground, away from the tree canopy. Christensen said he'd be willing to work with Salt on proper lighting.
The Salt Lake City Council's seven members were allocated $100,000 for Olympic Legacy projects in their districts. Councilman Dave Buhler, District 6, is the only member to have a project approved to begin spending those monies. Christensen, District 1, still needs council support for his proposal.
E-MAIL: sspeckman@desnews.com