HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Maji Ramos-Email to CommissionersOpposition to FR.2
From: Maji Ramos (majigreeninitiative@gmail.com)
To: mdmd94@bellsouth.net
Date: Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 09:20 PM EDT
Submitted into the publ'c
record �r iitteris)
on i[ I 1 b.? City Clerk
Forwarded message
From: Maji Ramos <majigreeninitiative@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Jul 26, 2023 at 8:48 PM
Subject: Opposition to FR.2
To: <adiazdelaportilla@miamigov.com>, Sabina Covo <sabinacovo@miamigov.com>, <jcarollo@miamigov.com>,
<mreyes@miamigov.com>, <cking. miamigov.com>
Dear City of Miami Commissioners,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to Agenda Item FR.2 to approve LED billboards in downtown
Miami.
The downtown area has attracted many residents and tourists. The billboards will create light pollution
that will be sure to diminish the quality of life for current residents and the tourist experience for visitors
who are staying in downtown hotels.
Furthermore, nighttime lighting is harmful to birds. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission
(FWC) website, "Artificial light is scattered across the landscape of the entire country, and birds are
frequently attracted to lighting, especially during inclement weather events during migration. Unfortunately,
lights can cause confusion, disorientation, and exhaustion - directly impacting their ability to migrate. For
example, birds disoriented by lights can circle structures for extended periods of time, leading to
exhaustion or accelerated use of energy stores critical for migration. In addition, birds attracted to lights on
buildings and structures frequently crash into windows and collide into buildings, unfortunately ending in
tragedy. Eliminating or reducing unnecessary lighting can significantly reduce bird collisions, while
simultaneously reducing energy demands and costs to building owners. Reducing nighttime lighting is
especially important during peak bird migration periods, and periods of inclement weather."
Nighttime lighting is also harmful to other urban wildlife. According to the article, "City Lights and Urban
Wildlife" on the Smart Cities DIVE website, "Artificial lighting affects not only our ability to see the stars,
but it affects a great many aspects of the ecology of wildlife. Light can impact wildlife directly by
streetlights or lit buildings, or more indirectly with sky glow, the light from combined city lights. It can affect
many different facets in the lives of wildlife including feeding, migrating, mating and even sleeping and in
the worst instances it results in death."
Please be mindful and respectful of our downtown residents, tourists, and urban wildlife, and vote NO on
Agenda Item FR.2. Miami is known for its natural beauty. We are not New York City and should not try to
copy NYC. We are unique. Let's build upon our natural beauty and already stunning city skyline. VOTE
NO on FR.2!
Thank you,
Maji Ramos and Martin Drost
555 NE 56 St
Miami, FL
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