Prohibit Irresponsible Private Firework Shows in West Seattle

You should sign this petition if you are concerned about the harm of irresponsible firework shows to the environment, wild life, pets, and/or your sleep.

The attached video is of a private fireworks show in West Seattle on July 20, 2013. The show was permitted by the City of Seattle. Residences were not notified by the City of Seattle that the show would take place. A catering company, paid for by the firework show applicant, (1) sent out a press release and (2) put notices in residences mailboxes (only residences immediately adjacent to the show location – not all residences impacted by the firework show noise) the day before the show. Rather than a professional clean-up effort, the debris polluting the beautiful Puget Sound waters teeming with wildlife, where the firework show was launched, is expected to be cleaned up by a volunteer group the next day.

Understanding that while private firework shows offer entertainment value, they can also , without proper oversight, be a public nuisance, terrorize pets, and harm the environment and wildlife, the undersigned petition the Seattle City Council to raise the requirements for permitting private firework shows in West Seattle.

This petition comes after a private fireworks show in West Seattle on July 20, 2013. The show was permitted by the City of Seattle. Residences were not notified by the City of Seattle that the show would take place. Instead, the City relied on a local blog to "get the word out" and a catering company paid for by the firework show applicant to put notices in residences mailboxes (only residences immediately adjacent to the show location – not all residences impacted by the firework show noise) the day before the show. Rather than a professional clean-up effort, the debris polluting the beautiful Puget Sound waters teeming with wildlife, where the firework show was launched, is expected to be cleaned up by a volunteer group the next day.

New requirements should include:

1.      Applicants must pay for the City to mail notifications to all residences within audible range of the proposed firework show 6 months in advance of the proposed show with request for public comment.

2.      Applicants must pay for the City to mail notifications to all residences within audible range of the approved firework show 3 months in advance of the show so that residences can make needed preparations (for companion animals, for example).

3.      Applicants must pay for a certified environmental impact assessment as part of application. Such assessment should include impact of noise, debris, and emissions on the environment and wildlife. Such assessment must be assessed and approved by the City.

4.      Applicants must pay for a certified environmental clean-up plan as part of application. Such plan must be assessed and approved by the City.

5.      Applicants must pay for the full cost of environmental clean-up. Such clean-up must be assessed and approved by the City.

6.      All City expenses associated with implementing these requirements should be covered by the applicant’s fee to the City.