All development can produce adverse impacts.
Our challenge is to identify and promote sustainable development that meets local needs and limits unavoidable adverse impacts. Further, we can encourage enlightened planning processes that take account of such impacts. These programs range in focus from land use to renewable resource use, local economic development, and pollution prevention. One of its most interesting initiatives focuses on outdoor lighting. Vermont's increasing rate of development has citizens concerned about the visual effects of outdoor-lighting on the night landscape and the night sky.