City lights on the Boardwalk don't meet the requirements of a 1999 Volusia County ordinance that prohibits lights from illuminating the beach or being visible from the beach during nesting season. An exemption allows slight security illumination in Daytona's core redevelopment area, from 50 feet north of Butler Street to 200 feet south of Main Street. Yet as of last week, even the less stringent requirements hadn't been met, county officials said. Recent inspections also showed lights shining up and down the Volusia coastline, but beachside business owners say they'll shut them off Tuesday, then brace for complaints by customers and inspections by county officers. Daytona Beach lighting poses more problems, though, for government officials and turtles.
Sea turtles find their way by following the reflection of the moon and stars on the water.
Artificial lights discourage nesting females and pose a threat to hatchlings once they try to find their way back to the sea. Last year, city officials said they would have the lights in the core area shielded by this Tuesday. The work is not done yet, said Rob Walsh of Volusia County's environmental management department. But now it's a work in progress. City officials blame it on the county.