Night Sky Lights Up During Spring in the Emerald Counties

Milky Way and greenhouses lighting the Humboldt skyline.

Milky Way and greenhouses lighting the Humboldt skyline. [Photo used with permission of Christina Lombardi]

It’s springtime in the Emerald Counties and the glow from greenhouses designed for growing marijuana light up entire valleys. The image above from a photographer this editor follows illustrated this issue beautifully.*  Because low-lying fog dampened down the greenhouses’ glows, the photographer was still able to capture the Milky Way she set out to photograph without too much interference from light beaming from these sites. Still, many of the large, industrial lights are evident.

Complaints about this practice are so prevalent, Humboldt Supervisor Estelle Fennell posted on April 21 the following information on her Facebook page,

I have received several complaints about lights from greenhouses at nighttime. Please be aware that this is against Humboldt County’s regulations and can result in serious penalties. Here’s the code:

Performance Standards for Mixed-Light Cultivation:

  • v) Those cultivators using artificial lighting for mixed-light cultivation shall shield greenhouses so that little to no light escapes. Light shall not escape at a level that is visible from neighboring properties between sunset and sunrise.
  • w) The light source should comply with the International Dark Sky Association standards for Lighting Zone 0 and Lighting Zone 1, and be designed to regulate light spillage onto neighboring properties resulting from backlight, uplight, or glare (BUG). Should the Humboldt County Planning Division receive complaints that the lighting is out of alignment or not complying with these standards, within ten (10) working days of receiving written notification that a complaint has been filed, the applicant shall submit written verification that the lights’ shielding and alignment has been repaired, inspected and corrected as necessary.

Concerns about the lights vary. Most are worried about environmental issues ranging from this creating problems for animals that are nocturnal hunters to preserving dark night skies for star viewing. Others are concerned about lights shining in their homes and generators disturbing the peace. Still, others worry that the lights are a frequent source of false fire reports as many can look like wildfires even to experienced firefighters. Resources of rural fire departments are strained trying to track down whether these are real fires or simply greenhouse lights.

Several commenters in various places on social media have noted that the light provides a beacon to ripoffs and have expressed astonishment that the owners of the buildings don’t cover them.

There are some commenters though who decry photos that show the lights saying they could cause thieves or law enforcement to locate the grows.

*Thanks to Christina Lombardi who allowed us to use her beautiful Milky Way photo to illustrate an issue of concern in the rural hills of the Emerald Counties.

More on greenhouses lighting up the night sky in an earlier story: In Defense of the Stars: The Use of “Mixed-light” Greenhouses Is Changing our Night Skies and May Be Altering our Nocturnal Ecology The below photo is from that story.

Greenhouse lights

This photo was taken on the new moon in May 2016. It shows the cumulative skyglow of several lit-up greenhouses (on the other side of the ridge) reflecting off of cloud cover. [Photo by Kyle Keegan]

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Tailgate
Guest
Tailgate
6 years ago

This is what regulation without enforcement looks like.

Llc.
Guest
Llc.
6 years ago
Reply to  Tailgate

There’s zero respect for any one or thing .look at the penalty, what a joke.This county is the laughingstock of the state !only in humboldt county where the corrupted bos Rewarded growers ( grandfathered)that were breaking the county’s own mmj ordinance and state law while simultaneously limiting the ones who were compliant with state and county mmj law .This is illegal folks. This is the shit sandwich the county will potentially lose millions in litigation over and may cause the Feds some interest ,so get ready .
The second most ridiculous thing is that the bos set the sq ft tax for growing starting at a 1 $ !If you google what other regions are charging some will be up to 25 $ a sq ft .This county is simply the laughingstock folks.Theres 100s of millions being invested in salinas where the rate of canopy tax is 15 $ a sq ft .put that in your pipe and smoke it…

Farmers
Guest
Farmers
6 years ago
Reply to  Llc.

Or the $1 per sqft strategy could be looked at as a way to drive and sustain value in Humboldt by keeping cost of business down.. But you wouldn’t understand that because you’re an idiot.

Llc.
Guest
Llc.
6 years ago
Reply to  Farmers

If a simple light pollution inspection is not being done .Imagine what else is overlooked or being ignored.
If the best response is to call me an idiot for pointing out hum county has implemented a tax rate that is 15x lower than salinas Where investors are pouring in hundreds of millions .Thats a weak response .obviously the low sq ft tax approach is not even a consideration for the venture capitalists.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/15/us/california-marijuana-industry-agriculture.html?_r=0

AnonymousHumboldtian
Guest
AnonymousHumboldtian
6 years ago
Reply to  Llc.

Watch how fast farmers go belly up on the roadside paying 15$ a sq ft. That’s outrageous. That’s like sending uncle vinny out with a bat to collect on the debts

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
6 years ago

Keep telling yourself that. HAHAHAHA. Do the math, they are happy to pay $15!

AnonymousHumboldtian
Guest
AnonymousHumboldtian
6 years ago
Reply to  Perspective

You obviously have no idea what overhead means.

HumBiologist
Guest
HumBiologist
6 years ago
Reply to  Tailgate

Seeing as it’s estimated that a maximum of 25% of the growers in Humboldt County applied for a license, the reality is these are all most likely illegal operations with no intent of getting permitted.

Christina Huff
Guest
Christina Huff
6 years ago

Please educate your neighbors. Talk to them about using depo covers. And if they don’t “get it” – then please file a complaint with County Code Enforcement. It’s easy. It’s confidential.” If you would like to report a marijuana cultivation site that you believe violates the zoning code related to medical marijuana cultivation, please contact the County Counsel’s Code Enforcement Division at 707-445-7236.” And let Estelle Fennell know, too.

Tall Trees
Guest
Tall Trees
6 years ago
Reply to  Christina Huff

Good advice. Neighbors should help neighbors get with the program. If they don’t want to change their evil ways, then screw them and call the county every day till something is done. We’re all sick of the lights, the traffic, the imported nutrients, and soil deliveries!!

red tail hawk
Guest
red tail hawk
6 years ago

So, are these being reported and not followed up on by LE? Or are people just complaining without doing anything more?

Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous
6 years ago

Hey Kym, check out Ben Schills most recent photo this evening from the top of Kings Peak.

ROW ROW
Guest
ROW ROW
6 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

got a link ?

Kato
Guest
Kato
6 years ago

A poster at the USPS gave this number and email for sound and light complaints in Humboldt county: 445-7541 or [email protected] First step is just talking with your neighbors to let them know their impact.

Mariahgirl
Guest
Mariahgirl
6 years ago
Reply to  Kato

Steve Santos will help.

Really tho
Guest
Really tho
6 years ago

And the difference to any kind of nocturnal animal between a lighted greenhouse and a streetlight is…?

Really tho
Guest
Really tho
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Actually if you’re familiar with the design of a grow light they come with a hood that reflects the light downward.

Thomas
Guest
Thomas
6 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

you are aware not all grow lights come with hoods? Or that a hood could be removed from said light? anyways one light no plastic not a big deal, but the plastic disperses the light making it more dramatic

lauracooskey
Guest
lauracooskey
6 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

We don’t have streets every 300 feet, lined with streetlights in rural, unincorporated areas. We had quiet, dark places. Now activities that belong in industrial areas along with the streetlights are for some unfathomable reason taking place in those once natural, almost wild places. There’s no “difference” between streetlights and grow lights that matters as much as location.

Really tho
Guest
Really tho
6 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

Actually if you’re familiar with the design of a grow light they come with a hood that reflects the light downward.

Joe
Guest
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

Oh yeah I guess none of us took the time to realize that. They do point downward. Shit he’s right everyone. Guess we should shut down this discussion.

Really tho
Guest
Really tho
6 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

Mckinleyville is unincorporated. There’s plenty of street lights there

lauracooskey
Guest
lauracooskey
6 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

It’s hardly a place where people or wildlife would go, expecting dark skies and a natural environment. You knew what i meant.

Really tho
Guest
Really tho
6 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

Wildlife wouldn’t be in mckinleyville if there weren’t people or lights?

Emily
Guest
Emily
6 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

Dep lighting is in the wilderness. That’s the difference smart guy.

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

The only real difference is that it would be very inconvenient for us to stop using street lights. The idea that a greenhouse can be anything more than the equivalent of 5 or 6 street lights is obviously bullshit.

Really tho
Guest
Really tho
6 years ago

If you ask me that picture is beautiful. Sad that it would make people angry for whatever reason.

J
Guest
J
6 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

If you moved here for pot then it probably is beautiful. If you moved here to live in the country, then you would want a normal country night sky sans light pollution. It’s all about what you want out of living in the woods and it’s sad to see any group take away a different groups rights like that when they could still grow without light pollution.

Woodchuck
Guest
Woodchuck
6 years ago
Reply to  J

Thank you

Charlie
Guest
Charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  J

Amen! And thanks.

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
6 years ago
Reply to  J

And . . . . Some of us moved here for the pot AND the rural lifestyle of quiet, dark, starry nights and no generators running night and day. One Or two natural light harvests should pay the bills and save electricity and be easier on the planet.

Emily
Guest
Emily
6 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

It’s just that we didn’t sign up for industrial grow scenes here in the country. And no one really checked in and asked if it was alright. Does that make sense to you? Growing weed is ok mostly, but you really don’t need stadium lighting. Most smart farmers know that you can grow excellent outdoor product with no chemicals, lighting, greenhouses or grow bags. Those are the farmers who are going to survive. Because they know how to farm with low overhead. Don’t understand? It will make sense in a few years.

Emily
Guest
Emily
6 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

It is kinda pretty. But it’s problematic for various reasons. My biggest problem is that it isn’t necessary. I don’t understand why everyone is rushing to grow dep when, in my opinion we should be showcasing environmentally friendly, high quality organic full sun outdoor. That’s what we could make a good name for ourselves with. Dep is heavy on chemicals, energy intensive lighting (diesel), and is just greedy and symbolizes what’s going wrong with our scene here.

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago

Which politician has an interest in an area is key to enforcement tactics employed. LE probably hands it off as a code violation to the nearest interested overloaded agency. From what I see, the State agencies are the ones raking in the big bucks off the pot. Looks like the citizens of Humboldt County are the patsy. Tax all the growers and spread around some pothole money dammit. If the State gets all the dough we’ll never see it again.

Magic Pharmer
Guest
Magic Pharmer
6 years ago

It may be beautiful from afar, but it really affects the wildlife, like owls. Also, most of those lights would be run by diesel generators, which is also not pretty, and loud.
Just remember folks, this is an environmentally sensative area. Not the Vegas strip.

Really tho
Guest
Really tho
6 years ago
Reply to  Magic Pharmer

You know what’s not pretty? Eureka

Emily
Guest
Emily
6 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

hey eurekas not that bad. Dont be such an elitist. Not from around here I’m guessing

Majik Phamer
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Majik Phamer
6 years ago
Reply to  Emily

I actually have come to like Eureka. I think it is pretty.

AnonymousHumboldtian
Guest
AnonymousHumboldtian
6 years ago
Reply to  Magic Pharmer

Not all diesel generators are loud. Not that it makes it any better or anything.

Mountainyogi
Guest
Mountainyogi
6 years ago

Thats why we live in the northcoast, you can see the stars! Conscious beings work at not affecting the earth in a harmfull way!

lauracooskey
Guest
lauracooskey
6 years ago
Reply to  Mountainyogi

Exactly. And the reason it makes some of us angry is that it is indeed more than just the lights and their effects upon wildlife, which is still huge in itself. It’s that the “kind of people” who would do this are not the kind of people most of us are, and their intrusion is not of a live-and-let-live kind–unless, of course, they can make themselves invisible to us in all ways–not hog the water, make noise with generators and fans, light up the previously dark and pristine views, keep their extra traffic off the roads they don’t maintain, etc. I would have no problem letting them do their thing if it had no impact on nature or human neighbors.

Really tho
Guest
Really tho
6 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

Tell you what. The manufacturing of that computer or iPhone you’re currently typing on caused way more environmental damage than someone leaving their lights on all night. But who cares. That happened in China. Right?

lauracooskey
Guest
lauracooskey
6 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

Oh. Because if you do one thing that’s messed up, you might as well do them all! (For that matter, the one computer did NOT do more harm than tens of thousands of acres turned to industrial zones overnight; for another, computers in general have probably saved a lot of environmental damage, in that people, materials, etc., do not have to move by truck or fossil fuels, paper, etc., when the information is conveyed electronically.)

That’s the cynical, destructive attitude of conservatism that makes it like poison to life on the planet… Hey, SHE did something bad, and i did something bad, so let’s all just do all sorts of bad things–we’re doomed in the long run, let’s live for today! To hell with the grandkids.
And then there’s the catch-all “get out of jail free” card cherished by conservatives: Doesn’t matter anyway because God is gonna have us strumming harps in the afterlife, and this vale of greed and misery will fall away!
Thanks a lot for working toward fulfilling that most twisted of visions.
(Granted, you may not call yourself a conservative Christian, but anyone defending the ruination of natural beauty and rhythms via misplaced factories is just as bad–a de facto conservative.)

Really tho
Guest
Really tho
6 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

Just pointing out the hypocrisy of you saying you’d have no problem with it if it had no impact. And please. One computer? You’re participating in a worldwide phenomenon that is destructive to the planet and manufactured by slaves. And so am I. I’m on an iPhone right now. And I feel worse about that than the medicine I grow for sure. I have a long list of things I participate in that I don’t feel right about. Oil in my car. Labor exploitation in the clothes I wear. The list goes on. What I don’t do is point at someone leaving a light on at night and blind myself to all these way more egregious problems and say they’re the problem to make myself feel better all because a news outlet told me to. Sheep on. Word to the wise. You’re being manipulated. Open your eyes

lauracooskey
Guest
lauracooskey
6 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

Being manipulated by whom? Follow the money. There’s nobody with money to gain on our side of this debate–only people seeking quality, in their lives and in the undisturbed (relatively and recently) nature of the back country.
No, the only thing manipulating me is my gut feeling that those lights are wrong and unnecessary and ugly, and i don’t think their incursion into rural areas makes sense.
If rural Humboldt Co. is such a great place to grow weed, why do they need to truck in soil, alter daylight patterns, and amplify heat with greenhouses to make it happen? The only attractive thing about it as a grow location is still the lack of law enforcement.
And i hope that will change soon.
It’s like the Alice’s Restaurant trash pile: put like with like. Industrial growhouses are not agricultural, and belong in the industrial zones of urban areas, not out in the hills where people go to live more closely with nature.
Just because you think that’s a silly intention, doesn’t mean we don’t have a right to keep at it, and to protect the natural environment in this little pocket of paradise as much as possible.

Really tho
Guest
Really tho
6 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

Well I understand you might have a “gut feeling that this is wrong”. Fortunately for us all people like yourselves “gut feelings” do not constitute illegal activity. As of now commercial cultivation is legal with permits pending in Humboldt county and also the rest of California. Id tell you to get used to it but then again what you do matters very little to me. Have a nice day.

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

Well said, Laura.

Humboldt was perfect for growing illegal weed, because of the isolation, tree cover, abundant water and places to hide.

It’s a terrible place to grow industrial, corporate-style mono crops. And that’s where we’re headed.

Guest
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

The problem is easily fixed if these lazy ass people would just pull up a tarp over their green houses. Its really not that hard.

Emily
Guest
Emily
6 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Werd

Really tho
Guest
Really tho
6 years ago
Reply to  Mountainyogi

You’re not seeing stars in this photo? Look again

Stormy
Guest
Stormy
6 years ago

What would anyone sane expect from criminal minds? They could care less about anyone or anything but their profit. More grow dozers and giant screen TV’s. Pathetic pseudo-humans. And their neighbors do nothing about it ….

Really tho
Guest
Really tho
6 years ago
Reply to  Stormy

All my neighbors are doing the exact same thing. Because I live in an area primarily settled by cannabis cultivators. It’s a great neighborhood. I miss it when I’m in town. There’s a lot less light at night out there. No comparison really. And please remember that before someone decided to put a town with lights there it was just as dark as the hills. Keeping greenhouses lit in the spring is part of the predominant industry in this place we live. This is a reality which is becoming more prevalent every day. You can hate it all you want but it’s here whether you like it or not. These are all in neighborhoods which are almost all cultivators. Have all these people complaining actually even seen the lights? Similar to the gigantic industrial fans you see all over vineyards in napa to keep the frost off when it’s cold. Those things are super loud of course. Way louder than a generator. Which by the way if you know anything about generators you know that the whisperwatts everyone uses are about as loud as a car idling. But the napa fans are necessary because of the industry there. My property is zoned ag so I will continue to utilize responsible practices that are a part of my LEGAL ag business. And yes we maintain our own roads through our road association. All county roads are part of my taxes that I pay same as everyone else and more than most. Sorry about your myths haters. Have a good one

Emily
Guest
Emily
6 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

Yeah but you don’t need lights to grow. And like the person said up there ^, it’s not that hard to pull a tarp over lights if you choose to use supplemental lighting. But imo it’s only greedy to run lights. We should be growing top notch seed strains here, not dep/clone/og/ bullshit/ McDonald’s weed. Seed start doesn’t require any lighting or greenhouse. I don’t get it… why do people want to do all that extra work, have diesel generators running, have sketchy workers pulling tarps (equals lots of extra traffic, more people etc), more trimmers at all different times of the year, when you could just have a nice easy time of it, produce more overall, not be stressed, and grow a good environmentally sound product w/o pissing off your neighbors and bringing heat to the neighborhood? Greedy…. I don’t like it

Mid evil
Guest
Mid evil
6 years ago
Reply to  Stormy

I love the smell of hate in the morning!!!
You people are funny name calling and snitching?? Come on. Try talking with your neighbors if ya have a problem with them. We are all People trying to make a living. throwing rocks, at your neighbors, and hiding there hands (aka snitching) isn’t going get you anywhere. It’s obvious the cops got other priorities. Encourage communication and community not hatred and division. Like it or not we are all in this together.

David Wilson
Guest
David Wilson
6 years ago

You can see some of the grows through the night in this time-lapse I took last September from what looks like a very similar angle looking across the South Fork Eel watershed in southern Humboldt.
The picture I’m attaching is a screenshot from the time-lapse:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vH-_IYbD2Y

Justin
Guest
Justin
6 years ago
Reply to  David Wilson

Very nice and short film. Thank you, David. Your film shows more of the individual points of lights seeping from greenhouses than the still (and pretty) pictures offered here.

I am not in favor of artificial illumination in areas where it doesn’t belong. It may be beautiful to a few in some strange way but it also belies a greedy attitude towards changing the once-rural environment, not unlike having a fast food joint on every corner.

Back in the 60s and 70s it was different. We cared about the natural land and setting, and our impact. These times are very strange indeed. Greed is good?

Josh
Guest
Josh
6 years ago

I find it interesting that sun valley has been lighting the arcata bottoms up with no nighttime restrictions for years and years.

Cowabunga
Guest
Cowabunga
6 years ago

Could just be UFO’s home bases.

Silkentek
Guest
Silkentek
6 years ago

I wouldn’t want a series of grows like that next to where I live. I would never get any sleep. I just can’t imagine the cacophony of noise the neighbors of those places put up with.
I have also noticed that quite a few people who operate grows of that size seem to really not care how it impacts their neighbors. I have a neighbor up here who unfortunately is surrounded on all sides by Giant green houses. The poison put out by the operators is killing her pets and livestock, the generators are non stop and hugely loud, the light won’t let her or her surviving stock sleep, and she is afraid to say anything because she is afraid these people will vandalize or just plain kill her.
I am all for folks making a living, but when did it become so important to make a living with this plant that you have to kill your neighbors to do it?

C. Armstrong
Guest
C. Armstrong
6 years ago
Reply to  Silkentek

Seems like ‘your neighbor’ could simply make a call? No one needs to know where it originated. If these people are as bad as you say, the cops would love to shut them down.

Silkentek
Guest
Silkentek
6 years ago
Reply to  C. Armstrong

She is afraid. Rightly so since we are so remote out here, an ‘accident’ could happen and no one would know for days. the promised anonymity is never as good as it sounds, since anyone who comes under scrutiny here would automatically assume it is the neighbor closest to them who doesn’t grow, who called in the complaint. I talked to her at length about this. She is just hunkering down and praying that the corporations take over the weed business which will make growing out in the hills unsustainable.
I don’t see why the big grows can’t black tarp those hoop houses? there is no logical reason for the light pollution.
I do not know what the solution for generator noise is, unless the owner is open to spending money on properly vented sound dampened sheds.
I do know this industry is going to collapse in on itself just like the dot com thing did, and we will be left with hundreds of parcels of land that will take a huge effort to clean up, in order for them to become homesteads again.
I really miss the days of discreetness and community minded farmers.

Julie
Guest
Julie
6 years ago
Reply to  C. Armstrong

Right, simply make an anonymous call haha. You think crazy growers don’t retaliate at random?????? There was a commune across the street from me in a rural residential area. I minded my own business. He got cited by the county (Shasta) for various infractions. Guess who was targeted by crazy psycho grower after that.

local woman
Guest
local woman
6 years ago
Reply to  Silkentek

Only wish that i was just dealing with a neighbor with lights. Got a mega legal grow next to me, yeah 3 aces trees removed for ag. this a. hole has been running heavy equipment non stop, for 6mos. Yesterday sunday the noise was from 8;30 am- 9pm, thanks Greg, nice neighbor….It waring on my sanity, anyone got any suggestions,on how to make the noise stop….

local woman
Guest
local woman
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Yeah, how can this be ok, thought the legal way was suppose to be environmentally friendly. Green road, does not allow you to kill any trees, thats how it should be…

Equipment
Guest
Equipment
6 years ago
Reply to  local woman

Well its not a legal time of year to move earth .so .The environmental agency’s see this activity but can not stop it( literally they mention seeing it driving around).They say that going forward with grading or site prep for new sites can be grounds for revocation of permits/ fines etc.

G-MAS
Guest
G-MAS
6 years ago

That milky way photo is amazing. Glad we don’t live in L.A🌍

Loon
Guest
Loon
6 years ago

Time to sell and move farther away…From humanity. Tis a crime against us all.

Jorge Cervantes
Guest
Jorge Cervantes
6 years ago

It’s starting to look like Valle de Cauca around these parts. On my hill we have an infestation of these same parasites destroying our nighttime skies. It’s like a plague.They all have their dep tarps. All they need to do is put them on and pull them off after the light cycle. It’s sheer laziness!

Guest,
Guest
Guest,
6 years ago

Yes it is good point, if they are running lights there’s probably a tarp laying next to the greenhouse

G-MAS
Guest
G-MAS
6 years ago

Picture looks like the mountains on fire with chemicals.

Scooter
Guest
Scooter
6 years ago

I am surrounded by this shit. To the south, the north, and the east. Bulgarians, local business owners, and tweakers. Dozens of generators. Some covered, some not. How do you tell the whole fucking neighborhood to stop?

Farmers
Guest
Farmers
6 years ago
Reply to  Scooter

Move

Emily
Guest
Emily
6 years ago
Reply to  Farmers

You are not a farmer

Squeaky
Guest
Squeaky
6 years ago

Definitely let your supervisor know! Rex and Estelle need to be reminded of just who their constituents are. I see a lot of growdozers with out-of-state license plates. One of my neighbors is from Israel, another from Bulgaria, and another maintains his home in Mendocino County. None of these folks vote in local elections – but I do! Maybe we need elected officials who will stand up to the carpetbaggers who are invading and destroying our rural neighborhoods.

Jayne Dough
Guest
Jayne Dough
6 years ago
Reply to  Squeaky

Yes, so many out of state growers…feeling THEY don’t care about the Environment, wildlife, humans. SOME locals try to be less invasive. Just respect the earth…try to clean up your area of plastic soil bags, old greenhouse plastics, chemical containers…that would be a GREAT start on keeping grows safer for us non-growers, or personal growers.

Irritated observer
Guest
Irritated observer
6 years ago

Cmon people. Not hard to pull tarp. You do it anyway. Disgusting.

Gazoo
Guest
Gazoo
6 years ago

If the laws were never inforced in the first place, what makes anyone think they will follow the rules now?
These folks are all about that dollar, they could give a shit about the rules and laws, and dumbass Downey has said many times that they can’t possible enforce the laws cause there’s just too many grows…
instead of some lame memo fennel needs to be leading these raids and make a statement!

WHAT IS WITH THE Lack Of ENFORCEMENT
Guest
WHAT IS WITH THE Lack Of ENFORCEMENT
6 years ago

Rex And Estelle are not interested in any enforcement .They also aren’t into fixing the roads with the money look where the last sales tax money went .To law enforcement that’s where the majority of the money went .Wait till they take the weed money to bribe an airline to come to humboldt .

Really tho
Guest
Really tho
6 years ago

The reality is that I can relate to why people get upset over some of the dark issues that go along with cultivation. There’s a lot of people and things that it brings around that I don’t like either. But this isn’t one of them. This is sensationalism. If you all live in America your whole social construct is made from the worst crimes against humanity ever committed. Child slavery. War. Imperialism. Environmental destruction. Fracking. These are all the things that support the typical every day middle class American lifestyle. Meanwhile y’all are upset that some people are leaving their lights on? Take a look at google earth night time. This area is the darkest in the country. And if you’re worried about the wildlife like you say just remember 2 hundred years ago none of this was here. The animals don’t know what area is “incorporated” so if you have lights on your street at night you’re just as guilty of this “crime” as every Bulgarian in southern humboldt. Get a grip people

Yah Really
Guest
Yah Really
6 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

“Methinks thou dost protest too much”!!!

Emily
Guest
Emily
6 years ago
Reply to  Really tho

Not against weed growing. Against douchey gro – bro infestation.
There’s a subtle difference when you live here for a few years you might learn

Jorge Cervantes
Guest
Jorge Cervantes
6 years ago

It’s not that some people are upset about folks “leaving their lights on”. It’s the fact that we live in one of the last remote and scenic places in the country. We pride ourselves on our natural landscape and dark stars. People from other places regularly see the milky way for the first time in their lives here. The reason folks are upset is there is an alternative and or better practices. These folks have their blackout tarps on the ground. They just choose not to use them during the light cycle for whatever lame reason. We’re not talking about light from a country cabin shining outside. We are seeing 30×100’s lit up like a disco ball. I’m all for production! Just keep it clean and think about the wildlife and critters too. They too are your neighbors.

Really tho
Guest
Really tho
6 years ago

Every single one of my neighbors has their greenhouses lit every night all through spring. The view of the milky way from my spot is the best Ive ever seen it. Also you can see it perfectly well in the photo above. If you can’t see it Id suggest driving to the hills. Its right there. Away from all the lights in town and fog. Unobstructed. I see it every night its not cloudy.

Betty Crocker
Guest
Betty Crocker
6 years ago

There is a rightful concern to be had over what might be considered “light pollution”. Please use common sense and be considerate of your neighbors and our lovely community. Thanks folks

Critter
Guest
Critter
6 years ago

Wouldn’t it be a joy if Humboldt county was devoted to eco-tourism (ala Costa Rica)? Where all of us had jobs protecting and sharing the wonders of this preciously rare place. Maybe no one would get rich, but maybe we could have a bit more pride, satisfaction and happiness. Just wondering.

G-MAS
Guest
G-MAS
6 years ago
Reply to  Critter

Amen to that!!!

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  Critter

I look at pictures of deforestation in Brazil and China and think if we can’t stop it in our own backyard, what hope is there?

I guarantee there’ll be a campaign in a few years, boycotting Humboldt weed in order to save the redwoods.

I can’t believe what’s happening here.

Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous
6 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Cannabis really doesn’t thrive in the type of climate that redwoods do. Redwoods love fog. Not so good for the other.

Farmers
Guest
Farmers
6 years ago
Reply to  Critter

Yeah, force your self-righteousness ideals down other people’s throats through physiological guilt.
[edit]

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  Farmers

It’s so sad that the adults bicker and stubbornly hold their position without working on solutions to get along and ignore the needs of the crying baby and let it then grow into a heartless resentful adult that cares about none.

Sparklemahn
Guest
Sparklemahn
6 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Your description of Donald Trump is right on the money.

hick
Guest
hick
6 years ago

Light pollution!

Peggy Sarver
Guest
6 years ago

Beautiful photo Christina Lombardi

Poster formerly known as Matt
Guest
Poster formerly known as Matt
6 years ago
Green Life
Guest
Green Life
6 years ago

So what?! Nobody is going to do anything so just do whatever you want! There are absolutely no teeth at all and everybody knows it by now. The sheriff’s department is a joke amongst all of us in the hills. We laugh at them daily! DO WHATEVER YOU WANT. Nobody will stop you or fine you or even drive out to your place or even send you a letter!! And if they do- just blow them off. This is what we all voted for starting with Gallegos so please- enjoy!! We have certainly earned it, asked for it, begged for it, encouraged and applauded it. Enjoy Enjoy!!!!

Mariahgirl
Guest
Mariahgirl
6 years ago
Reply to  Green Life

Call Steve Santos. It works

Veterans friend
Guest
Veterans friend
6 years ago

Yeah yeah yeah. You say don’t grow. Then you say oh boy taxes. Grow grow grow. Then the rules change. Then the rules change again. Change the taxes. Change the rules. Vote. Oh dear …new rules.
GET YOUR HEADS OUT OF YOUR ASSES. IT IS LEGAL OR IT ISN’T. NOBODY KNOWS FOR SURE. LIGHTS. NO LIGHTS. INDOORS OUTDOORS.
Until you all realize this is a plant and nothing more and stop trying to control the way it grows and the way people use it….you are doomed to a contentious existance here in our hilarious county.

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
6 years ago

A certain section of 36 used to be dark and quiet. Now its lit up. Even some glow worms right on the road.

Look it up
Guest
Look it up
6 years ago

The reason greenhouses throw so much light is the reason people use greenhouses. You can read any number of studies done by universities and independent researchers about light transfusion. The plastic or any film worth buying will transfuse light rays and spread them out significantly, which makes for optimal growing conditions especially in high density planting. Think sea of green (light dep). Light is being bent and actually moves around in different ways.

People can defend this behavior all they want but all commercial agricultural operations throughout the world know this to be true. Cover it up, it takes an extra half hour of your time maybe? Or for all you big dogs, get an automated system. Don’t feed the anti cannabis machine, they have plenty of ammunition already.

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
6 years ago

Don’t worry. This will be over soon. In two years, all the jokers that have just started investing in this industry will be belly up. Its mind numbing to think some of these people actually think they will survive in this industry. The big players up here don’t even stand a chance.

Mariahgirl
Guest
Mariahgirl
6 years ago

Steve Santos with code enforcement is Awesome! If you have issues call him but I was very persistent. There are rules and regulations and we as permanent residents and home owners have rights.

Anon
Guest
Anon
6 years ago

Apparently diesel particulates concern no one. Where were all the vocal complaints and whining when for at least an entire decade (’93-2006…) there were gennys running 24/7 365 days year all over these same neighborhoods for indoor grows selling at 4k+/lb????? Which waterway doesn’t have BENZINE IN IT?

Light pollution? Really????

F*** a few lights… Even 200w glowing until 10pm will piss some busy body self important twerp off. How about shut your eyes. And your mouth.

PS tarping in the rain is hard !

Majik Phamer
Guest
Majik Phamer
6 years ago

Actually maybe if people put shade cloth under the green house plastic, but over the lights it would cut down on the light pollution dramatically. U don’t really need a ton of sun light for vegging plants, and it helps clones adjust better. It would not solve the problem entirely, but I am sure it would help.

Robert
Guest
Robert
6 years ago

It really
Blows my mind how many of you want to call any authority in Eureka ! Guess you forgot the past 30+ years that the powers that be in Eureka have been trying to rub out the existence of many in SoHum. Remember the cat +mouse game we have all had to play with them just to live here ? No one remembers that Every time the authorities are called it causes more trouble for all ?
The many outsiders have already ruined this home of ours . Now you want to call the cops on your neighbors to ? Sounds just like the city folks that won’t ever do anything themselves —
Just call the cops 4 any problem !

gunther
Guest
gunther
6 years ago

Wouldn’t covering your greenhouse at night not only not affect the neighbors or the wildlife but also be more efficient? Reflect the light back onto the plants and maybe need less?

Gonewiththewind
Guest
Gonewiththewind
6 years ago

Humboldt has so many problems…unsolved murders, TWEEKERS, ridiculous rental markets, self serving landlords, homicidal drivers, homicidal people, stupid murder detectives, TWEEKERS, heinous people who have no respect for themselves or others, vicious women who glare and want to kill you if you dare to look better than them, abusive men, TWEEKERS, I could go on all day but I found an awesome place with none of these problems. Going out tonight just to look at all the gorgeous polite men….Humboldt was a waste of everything! Good riddance.

russell
Guest
3 years ago

This topic interest me cause of LED lighting in general turns out is creating more light pollution than old
Sodium and hids.. look around. School parking lots, security lighting now is terrible. The new casino in coyote valley, new gas stations etc.. all light pollutors. Mendocino needs lighting requirements that reduce these glares from the new non shielded LEDs lights.. it’s terrible 🙁