The Laguna Beach City Council is looking at banning the use on public property, as well as the sale and distribution of all balloons, no matter if they’re Mylar or hand-blown, which local environmentalists say would set an example for other coastal cities to follow.
If approved Feb. 21, violations could mean fines ranging from $100 to $500, officials said. City staff would plan a campaign on social media and the city’s website, as well as advertisements to get the word out.
Three local grocers – Pavilions, Ralphs and Gelsons Market – each sell hundreds of helium-filled balloons a year and store supervisors agreed the loss of sales would significantly cut business in their floral departments.
To create the Laguna Beach ordinance, city staffers said they researched reports from the Surfrider Foundation, Ocean Conservancy and other groups, as well as looked at other cities that have some kind of local ban in place, whether out of concern for the environment or the fire hazard posed when balloons fly into power lines. Encinitas became the first in San Diego County last year to ban the sale, use and distribution of helium-filled balloons; Solana Beach followed in April. Hermosa Beach city leaders prohibited them along with other single-use plastics. Glendale has as well.
“I’m super happy, it looks like it will be the most aggressive balloon ban anywhere,” said Rich German, who gathered 1,500 signatures through his Project O nonprofit several years ago to support a balloon ban in Laguna Beach. “We’re hoping now that Laguna will start a trend and cities along the coast will follow. To me, balloons are representative of the bigger problem of plastics, trash and fishing nets. It’s one step in the right direction.”
German, who paddleboards daily off Laguna Beach, said he’ll be looking out this week for Valentine’s Day balloons that make it out to the ocean. Two years ago, he picked up 31 after the holiday, he said.
The National Oceanic and…
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