BISMARCK -- In the name of protecting migratory birds and the North Dakotans they fly over, some state lawmakers want to make the darkest spring nights darker.

Other lawmakers, however, say state efforts to raise awareness of the harms of nonessential light pollution could actually threaten residents and industries tied to natural resources.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 4004 seeks to establish the April new moon as the beginning of "North Dakota Dark Sky Week" -- seven days where all residents and state entities are encouraged to voluntarily limit artificial light emissions during the migration season.

The week of "education and awareness" would take place April 21-28, according to the bill's text, which is the time when migratory birds pass over the plains in high volumes.

North Dakota is located on a significant migration pathway. As noted in the resolution, nearly 450 million birds migrate across the state in the spring alone.

An additional 400 million pass over during fall and as many as 35 million will soar above the state in a single night, according to the resolution.

Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, introduced the resolution Thursday, Jan. 23, before the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

"Sometimes our role as senators goes beyond passing laws, our roles can be used to provide education regarding important ways to work with others around the world to preserve our Earth and her inhabitants," he said.

The resolution invites groups like DarkSky International to promote more conservative artificial light use statewide, targeting everyone from backyard porch light users to companies with massive commercial buildings.

Those methods include dimming, redirecting or completely shutting off nonessential light sources.

Patrick Sommer, a volunteer DarkSky International delegate, testified virtually in favor of the bill, citing the impacts light pollution has on humans -- from cancer to sleeping disorders.

Sommer described the night sky as one of North Dakota's greatest assets.

"Here in North Dakota, we have everywhere from the Pembina Gorge to the Cheyenne grasslands ... along with everything in between," he said.

Sommer said the state's vast, uninhabited land can provide visitors and residents alike the "awe and wonder of a night sky."

Mathern told the committee his reason for sponsoring the resolution extends beyond raising awareness to the negative impacts of light pollution on living things.

He said he hoped it would encourage political subdivisions to enact zoning ordinances to rein in excess light use and inspire building designs that avoid harming wildlife.

Mathern also listed energy cost savings and security as additional benefits of adopting the resolution.

After the hearing, committee members took particular issue with the idea of enacting restrictive ordinances, though the resolution itself doesn't list such intentions.

"If we're going to take a stance for dark sky week, just a week, are we essentially telling (residents) we would like our cities, counties, towns to kind of go dark?" said Sen. Todd Beard, R-Williston.

Beard and other committee members shared safety and economic concerns tied to limiting light pollution.

"Are we forsaking the safety of our citizens, and benefit of our citizens, for bird migration or other reasons and health issues?"

The committee ultimately recommended a do-not-pass on the resolution with a 6-1 vote.