Upper Peninsula campaign seeks to repeal ban and protect dark skies

A local environmental group in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula launched a campaign called The Right to Night in February to overturn a state law that prohibits establishing dark-sky preserves on U.P. state land, a restriction that covers 18 state parks and has become a focus as mining companies assess the region for critical minerals.

The effort, led by Protect the Porkies, which was founded in 2023 by Tom Grotewohl, grew out of opposition to the proposed Copperwood Project near the Porcupine Mountains. Mr. Grotewohl said he found the ban “ludicrous” and asked, “Why would you not have dark sky preserves in a place where the skies are darkest?” The 2012 law designated nearly 21,000 acres downstate as dark-sky preserves but prevented similar designations on state-owned land in the U.P.; state senator Ed McBroom said lawmakers implemented the ban to avoid land restrictions that could hinder industrial growth and added, “It is still the foundation of our economic success.” Advocates point to growing research on the ecological effects of artificial light at night and to visible illumination from towns and at least one mine, with the glow from Thunder Bay, Canada, seen more than 80 miles across Lake Superior by some residents.

Key Topics

Science, Tom Grotewohl, Copperwood Project, Porcupine Mountains, Darksky International, Ed Mcbroom