ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — St. Johns County is the first Florida county to ban the release of balloons and sky lanterns.
It’s not just a win for St. Johns Soil and Water Conservation District Chairman Nicole Crosby; advocates said it’s a win for county waterways, wildlife, and beaches.
“I’m just so proud of our county and our commissioners for passing this. It’s a really big day for our environment and for wildlife,” Crosby said.
Following a unanimous vote at the county commission meeting, it is now illegal to release balloons and sky lanterns into the air.
Action News Jax first told you when the City of St. Augustine passed a similar ordinance.
Experts said balloons are the deadliest debris for sea birds and the third deadliest to sea turtles and marine mammals.
It’s a point Crosby has been trying to get across all summer.
“If we release balloons into our environment they will ingest them. They think they’re jellyfish,” Crosby said.
The City of St. Augustine Beach and Marineland were also among the first municipalities to pass the law.
Now all of St. Johns County must oblige.
Crosby said you can still enjoy balloons as long as there is a string attached. It’s when you release them into the air they become harmful to the environment and wildlife.
She also said this is only the beginning.
She already has important followers, like internationally known nonprofit Oceana, whose officials wrote her a letter of support to present.
Next up is the whole state.
“Ultimately I would like to see the state statute either amended or revised so that it’s going to be as strong as what we have here right now in St. Johns County,” Crosby said.
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