OCEAN CITY, Md.- A movement that started in Queen Anne's County is gaining momentum across Maryland. Now, state lawmakers and local advocates are hoping to pass a bill that would ban the mass release of balloons statewide.
The bi-partisan bill was first introduced by Sen. Clarence Lam (D) of Baltimore and Howard counties. It would ban the intentional release of balloons into the atmosphere. Violators could face a $250 fine. It's a concern for many local advocates on the Eastern Shore.
"There are many laws and regulations on the books that so many people don't know about," Kerrie Bunting, a local advocate, says. "That's why it's important for people to realize that this is an issue. It is something that concerns our area."
The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R), who calls it a common sense environmental protection bill. In a statement to WBOC, Carozza says:
“As I make my constituent rounds, many constituents have expressed their concern for birds and sea and other wildlife that have been killed by mistaking balloons for food, or balloon entanglements causing injury to our wildlife. We even have local cases of our beloved Assateague ponies harmed by balloon releases. This prohibition has strong local support, and I am proud to join with my colleague, Senator Clarence Lam, in cosponsoring Senate Bill 28, a commonsense environmental protection bill.”
House Del. Wayne Hartman (R) says he's seen the impact of balloon releases first hand as well. That's why he's worked with Lam on the bill's language and is cross-sponsoring the bill in the house.
"As an offshore fisherman myself, there weren't many trips that I would go out there that I wouldn't see balloons and things floating on the ocean," Hartman says. "So it is a problem we have to address. Is it the biggest problem we have right now? No, but to me it's a big concern."
The bill differs from bans passed in Queen Anne's and Wicomico Counties because it includes a ban on biodegradable balloons.
"The amount of time it takes them to degrade could still allow enough time, days, for an animal to ingest something in the ocean," Hartman says.
Supporters say they hope the momentum pushes the effort forward in the next legislative session.
"It's all about education and it's about getting municipalities to realize that this is a serious issue. And it's not just litter. It is so much more than litter," Bunting says.
Carozza says Worcester County Commissioners are still considering a similar ban. State lawmakers head to Annapolis for the 2020 legislative session on Jan. 8. Bunting says she and other environmentalists were invited to testify for the bill.
“I also want to thank our local Chambers of Commerce, especially Kerrie Bunting, Director of the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce, who has taken a leadership role in educating the public about the harm caused to our birds, sea animals, and other wild life by balloon releases,” Carozza said in a statement.