Balloon Ban In MoCo Pushes For Higher Fines Than State Bill

ROCKVILLE, MD — Penalties included in a proposed Montgomery County ban of non-biodegradable balloons are stiffer than fines outlined in a state bill awaiting Gov. Larry Hogan's signature.

Bill 6-20, which bans the intentional release of helium-filled latex or mylar balloons into the atmosphere, creates a $500 civil penalty for first-time offenses and $750 for subsequent offenses. The statewide balloon ban bill — which passed in the House and Senate and is headed to the governor's desk for approval — authorizes a $250 civil penalty.

Montgomery County Council Vice President Tom Hucker (D) introduced the bill on Tuesday, in hopes of putting a pin into a practice that environmentalists say harms the ecosystem.

According to many environmental groups, balloons released into the atmosphere can travel hundreds of miles before landing somewhere they can be ingested by sea turtles, marine birds, and other wildlife — and ultimately kill them.

"Other jurisdictions, including Queen Anne's County and Ocean City in Maryland, already ban the outdoor release of these balloons," Hucker said. "It's time for Montgomery County to step up and do its part to protect vulnerable wildlife in Maryland and beyond."

Hucker, who chairs the environment committee, said he was surprised to learn that balloon releases are common in Montgomery County and called the practice "advertised, organized littering."

"Do a quick Google search on balloon releases and you'll probably be surprised, as I was, of how often these are still held in our area," Hucker said at Tuesday morning's council meeting. "In funerals, memorial services, weddings, bar mitzvahs, and some corporate office openings.

"Set aside the idea that it's sort of advertised, organized littering — since these (balloons) all come down," Hucker continued. "The reason for this bill is simply the hazard balloons and ribbons and the other things that are attached to them pose to wildlife, particularly sea birds, turtles, and fish."

Under this bill, the ban will not apply to balloons that are: released unintentionally; released by a child without the permission of an adult; used for scientific or meteorological purposes; or used solely indoors.

The bill is supported by a number of environmental and animal protection organizations, including the Sierra Club, the Rock Creek Conservancy, the Humane Society of the United States, Neighbors of Northwest Branch, Trash Free Maryland, and the Audubon Naturalist Society.

"ANS supports the balloon ban bill because when balloons are released into the air, they harm our wildlife both locally and worldwide," said Denisse Guitarra, Maryland conservation advocate with the Audubon Naturalist Society. "They are especially dangerous to sea turtles and other marine animals, as a broken-down balloon can look just like jellyfish or squid — their favorite food."

Montgomery County Bill vs. State Bill

Montgomery County's bill, which has yet to be marked up or amended, is very similar to the state bill headed to Republican Gov. Hogan's desk. The two main differences: the cost of a civil penalty and the agencies people deal with when reporting a violation.

If Hogan signs the state bill into law, the civil penalty is $250. If the county's bill is adopted, the civil penalty is either $500 or $750.

"Our hope is we never have to levy any fines because this bill will be enough of a deterrent so people won't release these balloons outdoors," Robert Rand, communications manager for councilmember Hucker, told Patch.

Under the state's bill, people can report intentional balloon releases to the Maryland Department of the Environment or Maryland State Police. According to Montgomery County's version of the bill, people can report any incidents to 3-1-1 or the county police's non-emergency line.

"I didn't think we'd be at a place where the state bill is likely to pass," Hucker said. "I do think we still need a local bill to help with our enforcement because anybody who sees these advertised are going to call 3-1-1 or the police non emergency line. They're not gonna call the Maryland State Police or the Maryland Department of the Environment."

A public hearing on the bill will be scheduled at a later date.