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Jun 3, 2009 8:24 pm US/Eastern
Broward County Wants City To Move Fireworks Show
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
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Fireworks explode in the night sky. (AP photo)
AP
Several coastal communities in Broward could see their Fourth of July fireworks shows fizzle this year.
The U.S. Coast Guard, which issues permits for offshore fireworks displays, is trying to figure out how to protect the environment while balancing the needs of residents. Because of this, the city of Fort Lauderdale, however, may be making a change in plans regarding the location of its annual offshore fireworks display.
The shows take place over offshore reef areas where the Federal Government has declared two species of coral in danger of disappearing forever. The barges carrying the fireworks sometimes damage the coral as do the boaters who drop anchor to watch the shows.
"We want to be good stewards of the environment so we're conferring with the experts on how best to handle this," says Lt. Paul Steiner of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Broward County officials said if the show is not brought somewhere inland, marine life could be at risk. The officials complained in a letter to the U.S. Coast Guard that Fort Lauderdale's plans to rent a barge and entertain spectators would put sea turtles and reefs in danger.
"July is the peak month for nesting activity for endangered and threatened marine turtles,'' the letter said. It states that the fireworks display will likely draw thousands of people to the beach for the holiday event, resulting in the potential disruption of marine turtle nesting behavior.
There is talk of moving the shows onshore, but disrupting the festivities bothers beach area residents like Jack Miller.
"It's a big day for everybody, especially if it's a nice day," said Miller. "It's good for the economy."
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler says it's too late to cancel the show this year.
"We have plans in place to address the coral and sea turtle nesting issue."
"I'm all in favor of people having fun, but we have to be careful with the environment we've done enough damage as it is," said resident William Heath.
The letter mentions that many spectators will likely view the event aboard their boats. Anchoring these vessels would likely harm the reefs in the surrounding area. It also explicitly advises that colonies of federally listed coral species as well as hard bottoms are designated as Critical Habitat. Any boaters who unintentionally, or otherwise, damage these listed colonies may be in violation of the Endangered Species Act.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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