HB387

I support this bill to protect wildlife and marine life, and the natural environment in general.

When we can be more humane at no cost, it's easy to do the right thing.

I was skeptical of this bill until I saw these photographs. (Photos from US Fish and Wildlife Service) https://www.fws.gov/story/2015-08/balloons-and-wildlife-please-dont-release-your-balloons

I support this bill. I would support it if it were even more strict and prohibited release of any lighter-than-air balloons by individuals, not just 20 or more. I have been dismayed to find 4 such balloons, deflated, and having landed in trees or shrubbery on my property within the past 10 years, with many long strands of ribbon attached to them. Luckily, it appears they were found before they could be harmful to wildlife. Releasing these balloons contributes to litter and poses a serious threat to wildlife. Marine animals and birds are particularly at risk because they often mistake deflated balloons for food, leading to ingestion that can cause injury, starvation, or even death. The balloon strings entangle animals around their feet, wings, neck, etc further endangering their lives. I was in California two weeks ago and saw a dead seabird dangling from a pier, caught up in the ribbons of one of these balloons. It is heart breaking. Due to habitat loss and climate change wildlife is in peril on our planet. Those are big hard things to change. This one is not. We can take this step to protect wildlife and our planet, and we should. Please vote yes on this bill.

I support this bill. I only wish it went further and prohibited release of any balloons by individuals, not just 20 or more. But, it is a step in the right direction so I support it. Releasing balloons with lighter-than-air gasses contributes to litter and poses a serious threat to wildlife. I own wooded property and over the past 10 years I have found 4 such balloons, deflated, and having landed in trees or shrubbery, with many long strands of ribbon attached to them. Luckily, it appears I have found them before they were harmful to wildlife. Marine animals and birds are particularly at risk because they often mistake deflated balloons for food, leading to ingestion that can cause injury, starvation, or even death. The balloon strings entangle animals around their feet, wings, neck, etc further endangering their lives. Wildlife is in trouble on our planet. We need to protect our environment, safeguard wildlife, and reduce plastic pollution and passing this bill is a good step in this direction.

Releasing balloons not only creates litter (I often see them stuck high up in trees) but create a life-threatening hazard to various forms of wildlife, including marine life.

163-3B prohibits littering in the State of New Hampshire. Seems like the law should include releasing hazardous materials into the air, which harms wildlife.

Please save wildlife and our environment by supporting this bill.

I served in my town's Conservation Commission for many years. Released balloons have many devastating effects on our local wildlife. Wildlife is essential to our ecosystems. Please vote to support this bill.

I am writing to express my strong support for HB 201, a bill that seeks to ban the declawing of cats except in cases of medical necessity. It is imperative that the state of New Hampshire takes action to protect our feline companions from this inhumane practice. Currently, it is legal for cat owners to request declawing, a procedure that involves amputating the last digits of a cat's front paws. This is not merely the removal of the claws, as the term "declawing" might suggest. In human terms, it would be akin to having our fingertips amputated at the top knuckle. Such a drastic measure would severely impair our ability to perform everyday tasks. Similarly, cats rely on their claws for essential functions such as using the litter box, stretching, and marking their territory. The opportunity to protect cats from this cruel procedure is now before us. HB 201 would prohibit veterinarians from performing declaw surgeries unless it is medically necessary for the cat's health and well-being, rather than for the c

People don’t realize what happens after their balloons are released. This bill will help call attention to the importance of being accountable for your actions. Thank you.

As a 40-year resident of New Hampshire, I have seen the ongoing increase in challenges facing wildlife here. I had not been aware of the direct connection between the synthetics in balloons and loss of animal life.. The implications for impact on human health are also concerning. Please vote YES on this bill to support the wellbeing our animal and human life. Thank you.

I support this bill because deflated balloons pose a serious threat to the life and well-being of wildlife and marine animals via ingestion or entanglement with attached ribbons. It’s time we take action to protect animals and the environment.

I support HB387, the Protect Wildlife from Balloon Releases Bill, because it is a crucial step in protecting our environment and wildlife. Released balloons, whether intentionally or accidentally, inevitably return to earth as litter, polluting our lands and waterways. This debris poses a significant threat to animals who may ingest balloon fragments, leading to starvation, suffocation, and entanglement. Marine life is particularly vulnerable, often mistaking deflated balloons for jellyfish and other food sources. Furthermore, the strings attached to balloons can entangle birds, turtles, and other creatures, restricting their movement and ability to survive. This bill is a common-sense approach to mitigating these harmful impacts and preserving the health of our ecosystems. By reducing balloon litter, we can create a safer and healthier environment for both wildlife and future generations. The minimal impact on celebratory practices is far outweighed by the significant benefits to our environment. Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope you will take a stand and support our ecosystems and wildlife. Kerri Murphy Shelburne, NH

I am in support of this bill because balloons kill wildlife and domestic animals as well horses have died from it because horses do not have the ability to vomit turtles all sort of mammals it's a horrible thing to do I would never want somebody to memorialize me by releasing balloons it should be criminal

Balloons end up being unsightly trash that can exist in nature or your backyard forever without decomposing. They also harm wildlife if they become entangled or if an animal ingests it. The safe thing is to find a decorative substitute for celebrating.

Balloons and their ribbons being released have been a special concern of mine, and I am VERY grateful that New Hampshire is poised to take action for our wildlife. I receive many newsletters from wildlife organizations documenting the injuries and deaths caused by balloons and their ribbons on turtles, birds and many other innocent creatures. I tried once to break such a ribbon and could not. Once it is wrapped around any part of a living creature it is a death sentence. The balloons in oceans , lakes and streams may appear as some kind of food to water living creatures. Balloons can drift long distances. Whales, seals and other water creatures are at risk from ingesting the balloons. One of my saddest memories is seeing a dead cormorant dangling from a tree with such a ribbon wrapped around its foot. I love balloons but releasing them should definitely be banned to protect our wildlife.

We find these darn balloons all over our property and they have been known to harm birds and wildlife. This is an unnecessary and polluting thing to do. Please pass this bill.

Releasing balloons into the environment is not only polluting, but damaging to wildlife.

Please work to pass this HB 387 bill! I have picked up very many grounded balloons in my lifetime and seen many dead birds and other wildlife tangled up in balloon string. It is immensely useless litter and horrible for wildlife and the environment. It is plastic pollution and hazardous to wildlife, especially marine animals and birds. They float and look like food when deflated and are accidentally ingested by unsuspecting wildlife - often leading to starvation and death. I VERY strongly support this bill. I am happy this is under consideration in NH and I wish it was a global initiative.

Balloons are a needless source of litter in our environment and a threat to wildlife. As a trained wildlife biologist, I know firsthand that balloons pose a serious risk for wildlife, who often ingest them or get entangled in them and die. I have seen this repeatedly. This bill is an important step towards addressing this issue in our beautiful state of New Hampshire, and I urge you to pass it.

No one should release balloons into the air, it is littering and can harm our oceans and marine life.

Decades ago, before I learned of the horrible harm (including death) that released balloons cause to animals, I participated in one or two releases of helium balloons during Celebrations of Life. Once I learned of the harm, I stopped this practice and encouraged others to do so as well. Harming or killing even one animal as a result of releasing balloons to celebrate the life of someone is unacceptable. I think that, like myself years ago, most people do not realize the consequences of their action. I walk the beaches in Rye almost every day year-round and cannot tell you how many deflated balloons and strings I pick up on the shore and at the water's edge. I urge you to ban the release of balloons to prevent the unnecessary harm to and death of wildlife and to protect our environment from this unsightly litter. Thank you!

Release of these balloons should be considered illegally dumping trash. It is harmful to wildlife, harmful to the environment, a terrific eyesore. Please recognize the long term negative effects of these balloons.