Balloon Releases Now Banned In Montgomery County

ROCKVILLE, MD — Balloon releases are now banned in Montgomery County.

The County Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that prohibits the intentional release of helium-filled latex or mylar balloons into the atmosphere. The ban does not apply to balloons that are unintentionally released, released by a minor without the permission of an adult, used for scientific or meteorological purposes, or used solely indoors.

Those who are caught intentionally releasing non-biodegradable balloons outdoors can face up to a $750 fine.

Montgomery County Council Vice President Tom Hucker (D) first introduced introduced Bill 6-20 in February, in hopes of putting a pin into the celebratory tradition that environmentalists say harms the ecosystem.

According to numerous environmental groups, balloons released into the atmosphere can travel hundreds of miles before landing somewhere they can be ingested by sea turtles, marine birds, and other wildlife — and ultimately kill them.

Hucker, who chairs the county's environment committee, said he was surprised to learn that balloon releases are common in Montgomery County and called the practice "advertised, organized littering."

"Other jurisdictions, including Queen Anne's County and Ocean City in Maryland, have already banned the outdoor release of these balloons," said Hucker. "It's time for Montgomery County to step up and do its part to protect vulnerable wildlife in Maryland and beyond."

The bill has received the support of numerous environmental and animal protection organizations, including the Sierra Club, the Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS), and the Humane Society of the United States.

"Balloon litter is detrimental to our environment and causes immense pain and suffering to wildlife who mistake deflated or burst balloon pieces for food. We are grateful to Councilmember Hucker and applaud Montgomery County for signaling its opposition to this harmful practice by prohibiting intentional balloon releases," said Kathryn Kullberg, director of Marine and Wildlife Protection at the Humane Society of the United States.