In an effort to fight pollution, a Frederick County councilman has introduced a bill that would ban the intentional release of balloons.
Councilman Kai Hagen鈥檚 bill is designed to reduce what he called 鈥渕ass balloon releases,鈥� which are sometimes cast into the air as part of a ceremony.
鈥滻t鈥檚 not just about whether a 12-year-old accidentally has one slip off their hand at the fair, or lets it go on purpose,鈥� Hagen told council members. 鈥淣obody鈥檚 going to care, nobody鈥檚 going to enforce that 鈥� hopefully their parents will say ‘next time, maybe we won鈥檛 get a helium balloon.'”
Under Hagen鈥檚 proposal, a $250 fine could be imposed on anyone who releases or organizes the release of balloons that aren鈥檛 biodegradable or photodegradable.
Several council members said the bill, although well-intentioned, would be difficult and unwieldy to enforce.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 like adding legislation that is so hard to enforce,鈥� said council Vice President Michael Blue. 鈥淚 would rather see you educate than legislate.鈥�
Hagen said most people, once aware of the ban, will choose to follow the proposed law and avoid releasing balloons.
Councilman Steve McKay challenged the idea that a ban would encourage people to avoid releasing the balloons.
鈥淚 just fundamentally don鈥檛 agree with the approach that we put a law on the book that we know 鈥� coming into it 鈥� that we probably will not be able to enforce it,鈥� said McKay.
In August, Queen Anne County became Maryland鈥檚 first county to ban the release of non-biodegradable balloons.
Hagen said his bill would be enforceable, since it doesn鈥檛 focus on isolated balloons flying away. 鈥淟arge releases are concentrated, planned, visible, public events,” he said.
Asked who would enforce the ban, Hagen said it would likely be tasked to the Frederick County Sheriff鈥檚 Office. While some colleagues speculated the law enforcement agency would balk, Hagen said, 鈥淭hey鈥檙e not thrilled about noise ordinances, either, but it鈥檚 part of what they鈥檙e supposed to do.鈥�
