California regulators kill charity fireworks for America’s 250th, sparking outrage
As the country prepares for its 250th Independence Day celebrations, a decades-long California The Fourth of July fireworks tradition that raises millions for local children’s programs is dying out this year after the California Coastal Commission rejected a latest effort to keep the tradition alive, citing environmental concerns for protecting the bay.
“Over the past 14 years, we’ve raised $2 million for children’s programs in Long Beach,” event organizer John Morris told Fox News Digital, adding that the July 3 event was funded entirely by the local community.
“This community pays for everything, everything. City fees and the city doesn’t give us a break. We pay the city $20,000 for police and fire, which is fine with me because 100,000 people enjoy the fireworks,” said Morris, a Long Beach resident and business owner.
Morris, owner of the Boathouse on the Bay restaurant, had planned a bigger fireworks display this year to celebrate America’s 250th Independence Day.
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Long Beach residents have enjoyed fireworks put on by John Morris for over a decade.
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In January, Coastal Commission staff rejected the proposal, and last week commissioners unanimously approved it despite opposition supported by local, state and federal officials.
Organizers warned Morris last year that 2025 would be the last year fireworks would be displayed at the event as he continued to push organizers to switch to drone displays, which they say are more environmentally friendly.
The decision conflicts with other approvals the commission has issued, including a permit granting SeaWorld fireworks displays for up to 40 nights.
“They’ll be in Mission Bay for 40 nights. All I want is 20 minutes; that doesn’t mean anything,” Morris said.
Morris, 78, also pushed back on environmental concerns raised by the commission, pointing to years of testing for the event.
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Morris decided to cancel the July 3 celebration due to the lack of fireworks.
“We’ve been together for 10 years environmental studies“We test the water before and after the fireworks and send a robotic camera into the bay to check for debris; we’ve never had that happen. It’s been spotless,” Morris said.
“We’ve also had bird reports for eight years to make sure we weren’t harming wildlife. We’ve never had a problem. Not once have they been put in writing. So what’s this really about?”
California Coastal Commission spokesman Joshua Smith told Fox News Digital that permits are determined on a case-by-case basis, citing environmental concerns to “protect the bay.”
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Organizer John Morris said environmental studies were carried out regularly to measure the impact of the fireworks display on the bay.
Smith said Morris was approved for a permit to hold a meeting. drone show Instead of fireworks, Morris told Fox News Digital such a display would cost about $200,000; That’s roughly four times more than traditional fireworks.
Smith confirmed that SeaWorld had obtained a permit allowing 40 nights of fireworks. When pressed about the discrepancy, he reiterated that decisions were made on an individual basis and declined to provide further details.
Morris said the loss of the fireworks display will be felt throughout the community, from local businesses to the families who make the event an annual tradition.
Original article source: Regulators in California spark outrage by killing charity fireworks for America’s 250th anniversary
