Portsmouth Lawmaker: Ban Releasing Balloons Into Sky

PORTSMOUTH, RI — An East Bay lawmaker once again introduced a bill that would ban releasing balloons into the sky in Rhode Island. The measure seeks to keep deflated balloons and strings away from the state's coastlines and out of the water.

Portsmouth Rep. Susan Donovan first introduced the bill during last year's legislative session. It was sent to the House Judiciary Committee, where it was ordered held for further study in April.

"We are known as the Ocean State and for our beautiful beaches," Donovan said. "We must keep them clean and safe not just for people, but for wildlife. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest hazards to animals, and this is an easy way to cut down on an item that poses one a serious danger to them."

A few years ago, the Portsmouth Democrat saw a seagull tangled in a balloon string while kayaking. Using a pair of nail clippers she had on hand, she was able to free the injured bird.

The legislation is modeled after a similar bill that was introduced in New Jersey. If signed into law, it would ban the intentional release of balloons in the state, with exceptions for scientific or meteorological reasons with government permission, hot air balloon launches, or balloons that are released indoors. Anyone found in violation would be fined $500 for each offense.

According to Donovan, the balloons not only pose a risk to marine wildlife, who eat them thinking they are jellyfish or another food source, but are also a nuisance to commercial fisherman and can cause power outages. On Jan. 12, a mylar balloon caused an outage to more than 2,500 customers.

In Sept. 2018, Save The Bay found 737 balloons along the shoreline during the statewide cleanup.
According to Save The Bay, the plastic remains of 737 balloons were found along Rhode Island’s shoreline during its statewide cleanup in September 2018. Dead sea creatures continually wash up on our shores, their stomachs filled with plastic debris or bodies tangled in the strings of released balloons.

Other environmental groups around the state have voiced their support for the bill.

Since 2018, all balloon sales have been banned on Block Island. This statewide bill would not ban balloon sales, simply releases.

• Related: Local Lifeguard: Balloons Ruining Rhode Island Beaches