ORD NO. 2017-20 RELATING TO BALLOONS RELEASED INTO THE ENVIRONMENTORDINANCE NO. 2017-20
AN ORDINANCE by the City Council of the City of Bainbridge Island,
Washington, relating to the potential hazards to fish, wildlife, and human
health caused by balloons released into the environment, and amending
Chapter 8.16 of the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code to prohibit the
release of any balloon into the environment.
WHEREAS, the City of Bainbridge Island currently regulates in Chapter 8.16 of the
Bainbridge Island Municipal Code (BIMC) a broad range of activities relating to the
control of "litter." Restrictions include, but are not limited to, depositing litter in public
places, on sidewalks, in parks, lakes, waterways, and fountains, from vehicles, on private
property, and onto vacant lots; and
WHEREAS, expanding the definition of littering to include the release and disposal of
balloons into the environment will protect our natural environment, including the
surrounding marine environment; and
WHEREAS, balloons may pollute and litter waterways, farms, city property, private
property, and many other locations as they fall from the sky; and
WHEREAS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), among
others, report that balloons kill marine mammals, birds, and other wildlife by
entanglement or ingestion; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bainbridge Island should be a leader in encouraging action in
other jurisdictions, particularly in coastal areas throughout Washington, where balloon
releases and litter are particularly harmful; and
WHEREAS, several states, including California, Connecticut, Florida, Tennessee, and
Virginia, as well as several cities and towns, including Ocean City, MD, Nantucket, MA,
Provincetown, MA, Huntsville, AL, Louisville, KY, San Francisco, CA, Baltimore, MD
and Fairfax, CA, have enacted similar ordinances relating to the disposal and release of
balloons.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE
ISLAND, WASHINGTON, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. A new section 8.16.105 shall be added to BIMC Chapter 8.16 to read as
follows:
8.16.105 Release of Balloons into the Environment.
No person shall release any balloon into the environment within or from
the City of Bainbridge Island for any purpose, including but not limited to
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as part of a private, public, or civic event or celebration; promotional
activity; or product advertisement.
Section 2. This ordinance shall not apply to human -piloted hot air balloons, or to
balloons used in governmental, scientific, or meteorological research projects.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five (5) days from its passage
and publication as required by law.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 12th day of September, 2017.
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this this 12th day of eptembe 2017.
V l 0 3 0,
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
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Christine Brown,i y Clerk
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: September 1, 2017
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: September 12, 2017
PUBLISHED: September 15, 2017
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 20, 2017
ORDINANCE NUMBER: 2017-20
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