Balloon Release Ban Ordinance Pending

STONE HARBOR – The Stone Harbor Borough Council approved the first reading of a proposed ordinance Aug. 1 that would ban the intentional release of helium-inflated balloons and sky lanterns.
At issue is the harmful impact of the balloons on wildlife, sea animals, and the environment.
The ordinance also cites a public safety threat caused by the metallic content of some balloons that can disrupt power distribution lines if they come into contact with wires.
The sky lanterns, also known as Chinese lanterns or sky candles, utilize a candle or other fire along with some form of fuel to heat the air in the lantern until the fuel is extinguished.
The open flame is considered a public safety issue.
The move puts the borough in the ranks of shore communities that have already adopted similar ordinances including Avalon and Cape May.
In Atlantic County, Atlantic City, Margate, Ventnor, Longport and Somers Point have enacted laws as well.
Advocates of the ban have been busy nationally and have achieved state laws against balloon release in California, Virginia, Connecticut, Tennessee, and Florida. A similar state bill (S3177) was introduced May 15 by Sen. James Whelan (D-2nd) in Trenton that would prohibit the release of the lighter-than-air gas.
The ordinance makes exceptions to the ban for hot-air balloons that can be retrieved nearby after release.
A helium balloon made of a more durable plastic and filled with a lighter than air gas can often travel well out to sea before losing altitude.
Sea animals have been known to see the shiny plastic and mistake it for food.
Shore towns have been especially courted by advocates of balloon release laws because beaches offer a tempting photographic venue for large-scale balloon releases and the use of sky lanterns.
Ban Advocates
One advocacy group, Balloon Blow, a registered non-profit organization, has a website that offers fact sheets for use to convince others of the importance of limiting balloon releases. It also asks users of the website to report releases and provide an online form for so doing.
On the other side of the debate, a trade organization, The Balloon Council, in operation since 1991, lobbies against “balloon laws,” seeking to head off regulatory interference through “good balloon practices.”
Ban Opponents
The Balloon Council makes no secret of the fact that it exists in large part to help businesses that make, distribute or sell balloons protect their “profit margins.”
It does this by providing facts to fight what it calls the misinformation campaigns of balloon law advocates.
It argues against what it labels inaccurate information and provides position papers and references to scientific studies on the impact of balloons on the environment.
A Minor Victory
The Balloon Council has had one small victory in Cape May County. A trade representative did speak at the Cape May Council meeting when that city’s ordinance was being considered for adoption. He succeeded in convincing the council to reduce the potential penalty from up to $500 to no more than $100.
The ordinance being considered in Stone Harbor carries a potential penalty of up to $500, as does the ordinance already adopted in Atlantic City.
Hearing on Ordinance
Stone Harbor’s ordinance will be considered for adoption at the Sept. 5 Borough Council meeting. As with any ordinance up for its final reading and a vote, the council will hold a hearing to get public input. No word on whether a member of the Balloon Council will appear then.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.