CBS12 News Team

PBC officials take closer look at inland lighting effects on sea turtles

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. -- Eliminating lights on the beach may no longer be enough to stop the disorientation of nesting and hatching sea turtles. The creatures instinctively follow the light. Now lighting further inland is coming under the microscope.

Palm Beach County has just five-percent of the state turtle nesting beaches but more than 20-percent of the turtle nests. That's why the county has been diligently working with property owners to significantly eliminate beachfront lighting during nesting season.

But because turtle hatchlings still getting disoriented, county environmental managers are now looking at lighting further upland. In some cases, well inland at places like Earl Stewart Toyota on US 1 in North Palm Beach.

Earl Stewart: I think the county understands businesses have to be open in the evenings. They understand we have to display our merchandise-- you know car dealers. And we also have to have security lighting for our employees and our customers.

Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management keeps track of the hatchling disorientation on our local beaches. Of those, 62 percent were led astray either by the sky glow off in the distance, or from no obvious light source.

The answer may be at businesses like Stewart's. Environmental experts say newly installed lighting could be directed downward and unneeded lights eliminated altogether.

At a recent meeting of the Palm Beach County Coastal Council, county environmental managers announced they'd received a $10,000 grant to hold a one-day conference next spring. The purpose is to increase awareness of the lighting issue and encourage changes.

Earl Stewart: You always worry about too much regulation. think business and government can work together on that. I think everybody wants the same thing. I mean, you don't want to be destroying the turtle population around here.

So far, county environmental managers are simply encouraging lighting changes further inland. Any stronger crackdowns would have to come from cities and towns adopting new ordinances and regulations.

Wednesday, May 30 2012, 11:45 PM EDT

Palm Beach County Stories

Road Trippin
Come Road Trippin' with us!
The Greek's Trifecta
Prognostication, travel and women are The Greek's strong suits as well as his vices. Listen as The Greek breaks down the lines on the biggest games of the week for CBS12.
In Your Corner
CBS12 News has Florida Gov. Rick Scott "In Your Corner," answering your questions. Ask a question in the Facebook commenting window below or email it to newstips@cbs12.com.
Town Hall
Watch the Aug. 23, 2012 town hall meeting on issues affecting South Florida.
Spot Crime
Search for any crime within a 5-mile radius of your home!
Health Care Reform
The Supreme Court ruling to uphold the Affordable Care Act sparked a new battle. Check here daily for the latest developments, locally and across the country.
Trending with Tracy
Tracy St. George, a South Florida DJ for WRMF, delivers the hottest celebrity news weekly on CBS12's Trending with Tracy.
CBS12 Dolphins Extra
Get the inside scoop on the Miami Dolphins with CBS12's Josh Samuels and Pat Murphy.
Wednesday's Weather Kid
Welcome to Wednesday's Weather Kid on CBS12's Good Morning South Florida! Here we let middle schoolers produce a "bus stop forecast" each Wednesday. Contact Robin Cross at rcross@cbs12.com for info on ...
Washington Guardian
The Washington Guardian is an online newspaper committed to providing watchdog journalism from the nation's capital aimed at safeguarding everyday Americans' tax dollars, security and freedoms.
Your Voice. Your Future.
As the country faces challenges from federal budget issues to jobs and national debt, your voice is critical to the future.
Waste Watch
How are your tax dollars being spent? Waste Watch tracks whether local, state and federal governments or any groups are using your money wisely...or wasting it.
Top Stories
Get up to the minute information from South Florida and the Treasure Coast in our Top Stories section!
Newscast Links
Get links and contact information from items mentioned in our newscasts!
Tech-Xperts
Get tips and advice on everything tech related, from smartphones, gadgets and online security to Twitter topics and Facebook news and tips!
Treasure Coast
Watch local news videos and read news stories happening in Treasure Coast!
Palm Beach County
Watch local news videos and read news stories happening in Palm Beach County!
News Tips
Do you have a lead on a good news tip or want to share a story idea? Let us know!
Raw News
See the news as it happened, raw and unedited!
CBS 12 News LIVE Stream
Watch LIVE CBS 12 newscasts and breaking news as it happens here!
Traffic Links
Get links and information on traffic conditions, rail information and arrival and departure information for PBIA, MIA and FLL!
PBC Mugshot Roundup
View a selection of mugshots from the Palm Beach County Jail's portrait studio, via a publicly available online booking search.
Sex Offender Mapping
Search for any registered sexual offender or predator within a 5-mile radius of your home!
Product Recalls
Get the latest recalls on autos, child safety seats, consumer products and FDA food and drugs recalls!
Forever Family
Watch videos and read stories of local people and families in need!
The Dwyer Awards

The William T. Dwyer Awards for Excellence in Education honors outstanding educators from public and private schools in Palm Beach County.
Live Feed
Watch the CBS News Live Feed for news stories as they happen!
National and World News
Get the latest headlines from across the nation and around the world.
Pet of the Day
Watch our "Pet of the Day" videos for adorable pets that need a loving home!
Pump Patrol
Find the lowest gas prices in West Palm Beach, get fuel saving tips, price trends and check out nationwide gas price averages!