Beaufort's Bold Move to Protect Nature from Balloons

Beaufort has made a big step to protect the environment. They have banned the release of helium and other gas-filled balloons. This is the first time a city in the state has done this. The city council voted for this change at their meeting on December 9th. Before this, the city already had a rule against releasing balloons on city-owned land. But now, this rule applies everywhere in the city. The idea behind this ban is to protect wildlife and the environment. Balloons don't break down easily. They can hurt animals, cause power outages, and pollute waterways. Jenn Clementoni, who works at the Carolina Bight Birding Center, helped push for this change. She saw posts on social media about big balloon releases in the city. But the old rules didn't cover these events. People often release balloons to celebrate or remember loved ones. But they might not know the harm it causes. Scott Marshall, the city manager, said this ban is not about being against balloons. It's about understanding the damage they can do. The city has a lot of salt marshes. These areas are important for the environment. So, the city wants to do its part to protect them. The new rule has some exceptions. It allows balloons for research, hot air balloons that are recovered, and balloons released indoors. Breaking this rule is a misdemeanor. The court will decide the fine for violations. The city is also encouraging other places to follow their lead. They talked about this ban at a regional meeting. They hope to present it formally in January 2026. This could help push for a statewide ban.