Local Girl Scouts ask council to ban intentional balloon releases, cite wildlife and safety risks
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Summary
Two Girl Scouts presented a petition of more than 600 signatures asking Enterprise to adopt an ordinance banning intentional balloon releases, saying litter and Mylar balloons pose risks to wildlife and electrical systems.
Two members of Girl Scout Troop 9114 asked the Enterprise City Council Sept. 16 to pass an ordinance banning intentional balloon releases.
"We are Bella and Josie Landry. We're from Girl Scout troop 9114, and we're working on our Silver Award project to help our community and environment," Bella Landry said during the public comment period. The scouts said they had collected more than 600 signatures on an online petition and provided informational handouts to council members.
Why it matters: The scouts told the council that released balloons can travel far from release sites, become litter, and harm birds and farm animals that ingest balloon fragments or become entangled in strings. They also pointed out that foil/Mylar balloons can conduct electricity and pose a hazard to power lines.
The scouts urged the council to consider alternatives for celebrations, such as bubbles, planting flowers, banners or flags. Council members thanked the scouts for their presentation; no formal ordinance or vote was taken at the meeting.
Ending: Staff did not schedule a public hearing on the matter during the Sept. 16 meeting. The scouts said they had provided the council with their petition and supporting materials and asked officials to consider the proposed ordinance.