Block Island town council has voted unanimously to eliminate the sale, distribution and use of balloons throughout the island.
The move – which has been in discussions for some time – is intended to protect wildlife and help maintain clean beaches and trails on the island, which is based off the coast of Rhode Island in Washington, US.
The New Shoreham Town Council decided earlier this week to prohibit the use and sale of all types of balloons on Block Island, which includes releasing a balloon into the air.
The council approved the planning board’s recommendation of drafting and enforcing a general ordinance banning balloons on the island.
The purpose of the ordinance is ‘to protect the wildlife and coastal ecosystems of Block Island, the enjoyment of nature, and the health, safety, and welfare of Block Island’s residents, and visitors’. It will now be ‘unlawful for any person to sell, use or distribute any type of balloon in any manner, including by release into the air’.
Margie Comings, who spearheaded the initiative as part of the board’s efforts to ban products they consider harmful to the island, said she received an ‘astounding’ amount of support in favour of the ban.
The new ordinance will come into effect on Monday 9 April 2018 and violitions will be punishable by fines of up to $200.
The US Balloon Council fought back against the proposal with an online pro-balloon campaign.
