Solar use in D’Iberville is regulated as an accessory use and is restricted in
height. Solar farms and the effects of the materials on aviation are not
addressed in the Zoning Ordinance.
Findings
A solar farm is being considered proximate to Keesler AFB.
Local jurisdictions do not have ordinances that regulate solar farms.
Ambient Lighting Surrounding Keesler Air Force Base
ISSUE
LG‐3
Ambient lighting from sources surrounding Keesler AFB
including electronic billboards can affect pilot visibility
and the performance of night vision equipment.
Light pollution, the upward and outward distribution of light, either directly
from fixtures, such as uplighting without terminus on buildings, or from
reflection off the ground or other surfaces, can interfere with military
mission activities such as night time training activities and can temporarily
impair pilot’s vision, causing pilot confusion with night vision
instrumentation or equipment. This is especially an issue during takeoffs
and landings. It is important that pilots train at night to simulate real
combat scenarios.
Although pilots are able to do night training despite intensifying urban
development around Keesler AFB, the overall ambient light in the area has
impacted effectiveness of night training equipment. The base has even
conducted training at Stennis due to ambient lighting around Keesler AFB.
imagery improves the precision of the 2016 imagery compared to the 2010
imagery, but there is also increased intensity at certain locations. Between
2010 and 2016, ambient nighttime lighting levels have intensified in various
locations in both Biloxi and D’Iberville. In Biloxi, ambient lighting has
increased at Keesler AFB as well as along the waterfront, the downtown
area, and Woolmarket. In D’Iberville, ambient lighting has increased along
the I‐110 stretch.
Unshielded lighting systems, lighting systems that are not planned with
minimizing sky glow, or excess or wasteful light emission and LED billboards
can contribute to an increased amount of ambient light in the sky. This
increase in ambient light in the sky can degrade the natural environment for
stargazers, observatory operations, and night time flying operations or
nighttime training. Adverse light impacts can be experienced both on‐
installation and off‐installation – generated from the community affecting
military operations and experienced by the community generated from the
installation.
There are many factors that contribute to excess nighttime light that can
interfere with nighttime training and ni