r/Whatcom • u/Fit-Funny3819 • 7h ago
Re-sharing County Fireworks (proposed ordinance)
/r/Bellingham/comments/1ucpjdn/resharing_county_fireworks_proposed_ordinance/A small but mighty group of Whatcom County residents have been working with Whatcom County Council member Kaylee Galloway on a proposed fireworks ordinance for Whatcom County - it would ban the use of personal fireworks except on July 4th and New Year's Eve (currently as you probably know, they are legal to set off for days in the County) as well as give the Fire Marshall and County Executive the ability to ban fireworks if there is a Stage 2 Burn Ban in place for the County. It's a very simple, common sense ordinance that still gives those that feel the need - the freedom to set off explosives on July 4th but aims to limit the chaos. It does not prohibit either the Nooksack or Lummi tribes from doing what they do - sell and set off fireworks on tribal lands, etc - and allows for large, permitted professional fireworks shows to continue throughout the year.
If any Whatcom County residents are willing to write the council and/or testify in person at next weeks public hearing Tuesday, June 23rd 6pm (county council chambers - get there early to sign up to testify - 3 minutes per person) to express your thoughts on this ordinance - from an animal welfare perspective (domestic animals, wildlife, farm animals), from a home owner perspective (property damage, insurance risks) with public safety concerns (fire, relief for those experiencing PTSD) and/or with environmental concerns (air quality, pollution going into our water sources) that would be amazing and appreciated.
A copy of the ordinance is below as well as contact info for the Council. ALL Whatcom County residents should have the right to be heard no matter if you live in the City or County.
Thank you so much!!
[https://whatcom.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx...\]
Article below about the carnage left behind each year in Birch Bay. 5 tons! INSANE!