Date: 5/8/25 8:35 am From: William Brown via groups.io <joanhbrown47...> Subject: Re: [labird] HB 581, banning balloon releases, passed the House 84-7
Wonderful news!
On Wed, May 7, 2025, 11:32 PM Katherine Gividen via groups.io
<gividen.katherine...> wrote:
> Wow!!! That's great news!
>
> On Wed, May 7, 2025 at 5:25 PM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> > LEGISLATIVE UPDATE!!!
> > HB 581, banning the release of inflated balloons, passed the House this
> > afternoon by a vote of 84-7. It moves on to the Senate for assignment
> to a
> > committee for public hearings.
> > Thanks to all who contacted legislators to request support for this
> > critical environmental reform.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 5/8/25 7:13 am From: clairedthomas via groups.io <claire...> Subject: Re: [labird] HB 581, banning balloon releases, passed the House 84-7
Wow! That’s such good news. Onward to contacting our Senators.
Claire Thomas
<claire...>
19170 Antenor St.
Mandeville, LA 70471-6937
On May 7, 2025, at 5:25 PM, mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> wrote:
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE!!!
HB 581, banning the release of inflated balloons, passed the House this afternoon by a vote of 84-7. It moves on to the Senate for assignment to a committee for public hearings.
Thanks to all who contacted legislators to request support for this critical environmental reform.
Date: 5/7/25 9:32 pm From: Katherine Gividen via groups.io <gividen.katherine...> Subject: Re: [labird] HB 581, banning balloon releases, passed the House 84-7
Wow!!! That's great news!
On Wed, May 7, 2025 at 5:25 PM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> LEGISLATIVE UPDATE!!!
> HB 581, banning the release of inflated balloons, passed the House this
> afternoon by a vote of 84-7. It moves on to the Senate for assignment to a
> committee for public hearings.
> Thanks to all who contacted legislators to request support for this
> critical environmental reform.
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 5/7/25 3:25 pm From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] HB 581, banning balloon releases, passed the House 84-7
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE!!!
HB 581, banning the release of inflated balloons, passed the House this afternoon by a vote of 84-7. It moves on to the Senate for assignment to a committee for public hearings.
Thanks to all who contacted legislators to request support for this critical environmental reform.
Date: 5/6/25 5:14 pm From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] HB 581, banning balloon releases, will be back for House floor vote May 7
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Rep. Illg gave notice today that he’ll be calling his balloon release bill, HB 581, tomorrow, May 7, back to the House floor for a vote. The House convenes at 1:00 but it’s likely to be close to an hour (or more) before they get to that section of business.
HB 581 bans balloon releases and has been a goal of environmental groups for years. Since it enforces bans with criminal penalties in the form of fines, it raises revenue, and therefore requires 70 votes to pass (2/3 of 105 legislators).
A reminder that those who opposed the bill during the last vote were: Amedee, Bacala, Beaullieu, Carlson, Dickerson, Echols, Egan, Emerson, Firment, Galle, Horton, LaFleur, Larvadain, McMakin, and Owen. If you know any of these legislators and believe they may just have been confused about the bill's purpose, please correct them.
The following legislators missed the vote the first time it hit the floor: Braud, Brown, Carter, W., Chassion, Coates, Dewitt, Freeman, Hilferty, Hughes, Johnson, T., Jordan, Kerner, Landry, M., Marcelle, Mena, Phelps, Thompson, Walters, Wilder, and Young. Reps. Braud, Coates and Johnson were on the Natural Resources and Environment Committee that approved the bill, and presumably still support it. It is critical that these members are present for tomorrow's vote.
If you need talking points for a phone call or email, a few pertinent facts to share:
1. Balloons negatively impact the environment by littering lakes, streams, and beaches. It is basically the same as intentionally throwing trash into the ocean or the ground.
2. Even balloons marketed as biodegradable or eco-friendly can still take years to disintegrate. This means that they are not better for the environment than standard balloons.
3. When balloons make their way into the water, their floating pieces and tattered ends can resemble jellyfish or other sea life that is consumed by marine animals like fish, sea turtles, and dolphins. When the pieces of latex or Mylar are mistaken for food and are ingested, they can get lodged in the digestive tract, inhibiting the animal's ability to eat, and it can cause a slow and painful death by starvation.
4. Wildlife can also fall victim to balloons and its strings when the pieces fall to the ground or onto bushes and trees. Birds have been found injured with ribbons wrapped around their wings or beaks, and have strangled themselves when they become entangled in strings that are attached to power lines and trees. And just like marine animals, they can succumb to a painful death after ingesting balloons.
5. Entergy Louisiana has raised alarms about Mylar balloons, which are metallic and can cause dangerous electrical surges or outages when they contact power lines or transformers. A high-profile outage occurred in New Orleans in August 2024, when a Mylar balloon caused a power flicker at a water treatment plant, leading to a boil water advisory for nearly 370,000 residents.
Date: 5/2/25 10:09 am From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] Proposed change to definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act
The Trump Administration is proposing to significantly limit the Endangered Species Act's power to preserve crucial habitats by changing the definition of "harm." The proposed rule change prohibits only actions that directly hurt or kill actual animals, not the habitats they rely on. If finalized, the change could make it easier to log, mine and build on lands that endangered species need to thrive, by essentially pretending that the resulting habitat loss does not legally adversely affect animals. You may submit public comments online through May 19.
Date: 4/30/25 5:16 am From: Shively, Steve- FS via groups.io <Stephen.Shively...> Subject: [labird] cedar waxwing speed
Yesterday I drove under a flock of cedar waxwings with my cruise control set at 45 mph. The flock kept up for a while until they veered up and away.
[Forest Service Shield]
Stephen Shively
Wildlife Biologist
Forest Service
Kisatchie National Forest, Calcasieu Ranger District
p: 318-969-3050
c: 318-880-7822
f: 318-793-9431
<stephen.shively...><mailto:<stephen.shively...>
This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
Date: 4/29/25 7:00 pm From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] HB 581, banning balloon releases, will be on the House floor for a vote April 30
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
HB 581, banning balloon releases, should be back on the House floor tomorrow for a vote. Because it is enforced with fines, it is a bill that raises revenue, and thus requires approval from 2/3 of the elected representatives, or 70 votes. LWF reports that some legislators were confused about the bill's purpose, so its lobbyists are working to remedy this. If you'd like to assist, contact your legislator.
A reminder that those who opposed the bill yesterday were: Amedee, Bacala, Beaullieu, Carlson, Dickerson, Echols, Egan, Emerson, Firment, Galle, Horton, LaFleur, Larvadain, McMakin, and Owen. If you know any of these legislators and believe they may just have been confused about the bill's purpose, please correct them. Off the top of my head, I don't know why Amedee, Bacala, Emerson, or McMakin would be pro-litter.
The following legislators missed the vote: Braud, Brown, Carter, W., Chassion, Coates, Dewitt, Freeman, Hilferty, Hughes, Johnson, T., Jordan, Kerner, Landry, M., Marcelle, Mena, Phelps, Thompson, Walters, Wilder, and Young. Reps. Braud, Coates and Johnson were on the Natural Resources and Environment Committee that unanimously approved the bill, and presumably still support it. It is critical that these members are present for tomorrow's vote.
If you need talking points for a phone call or email, a few pertinent facts to share:
1. Balloons negatively impact the environment by littering lakes, streams, and beaches. It is basically the same as intentionally throwing trash into the ocean or the ground.
2. Even balloons marketed as biodegradable or eco-friendly can still take years to disintegrate. This means that they are not better for the environment than standard balloons.
3. When balloons make their way into the water, their floating pieces and tattered ends can resemble jellyfish or other sea life that is consumed by marine animals like fish, sea turtles, and dolphins. When the pieces of latex or Mylar are mistaken for food and are ingested, they can get lodged in the digestive tract, inhibiting the animal's ability to eat, and it can cause a slow and painful death by starvation.
4. Wildlife can also fall victim to balloons and its strings when the pieces fall to the ground or onto bushes and trees. Birds have been found injured with ribbons wrapped around their wings or beaks, and have strangled themselves when they become entangled in strings that are attached to power lines and trees. And just like marine animals, they can succumb to a painful death after ingesting balloons.
5. Entergy Louisiana has raised alarms about Mylar balloons, which are metallic and can cause dangerous electrical surges or outages when they contact power lines or transformers. A high-profile outage occurred in New Orleans in August 2024, when a Mylar balloon caused a power flicker at a water treatment plant, leading to a boil water advisory for nearly 370,000 residents.
Date: 4/27/25 1:38 pm From: Jane Patterson via groups.io <seejanebird...> Subject: [labird] Balloons and wildlife - URGENT request
Hello LABIRD!
WBRZ is doing a story today about HB581 which is proposing a ban on balloon releases. I sent them some comments and the attached photo and they are asking for more photos. I don't have any more and I realize it's short notice but if anyone sees this message and has any photos they can send to me by 4:30pm today, that would be much appreciated.
--Jane Patterson Baton Rouge [image: anhinga with balloon2.JPG]
Date: 4/25/25 2:53 pm From: Dave Patton via groups.io <davepatton122...> Subject: [labird] Grey Gull
I saw what appears to have been a Grey Gull around 4:00pm about 3 miles west of Holly Beach. It was alone preening. I was looking down when it flew off.
Date: 4/21/25 11:04 am From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] Peveto Woods Sanctuary parking
As spring migration moves into high gear, a reminder from Dave Patton, Baton Rouge Audubon Society Sanctuaries Chair:
Peveto birders,
I would like to add that parking is always a problem at the end of the entrance road. I should have a temporary sign up at the entrance to the sanctuary telling of additional parking on Sarasota Ave. You go one more block and turn left on Sarasota Ave and you will see a mowed vacant lot on the left. It should have another temporary sign saying Peveto Parking. You can walk a trail in from that parking area. Many also park on the pipeline shoulder along the main road and walk in.
I was reminded again we should fill in the ditch at the old parking area as people don't see it and get stuck. I will try to get markers up defining the ditch before the weekend.
Date: 4/17/25 2:22 pm From: Bill Fontenot via groups.io <williamrodneyfontenot...> Subject: Re: [labird] Grand Isle tolls--SCAM ALERT
Mac n all —
I’m regularly getting toll due notification texts and I don’t even drive anymore.
What a world we live in.
Bill Fontenot
500 Saint Catherine St.
Lafayette, LA 70506
> On Apr 17, 2025, at 3:39 PM, James W. Beck via groups.io <loxosceles928...> wrote:
>
> I’ve had two similar experiences with the Causeway recently. Two trips
> consecutively.
>
> James W. Beck
> Estelle, Louisiana
>
>
>> On Thu, Apr 17, 2025 at 14:53 Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm=
>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>
>> Apparently the toll system has been hacked. I went to G.I. last Friday.
>> Today I received a text that my payment deadline was 19 April in the amount
>> of $8.96. I called Riverlink, and the very first part of the recorded
>> message was that they'd been hacked and bogus text billing messages were
>> going out, and not to pay. Eventually I spoke with a rep who confirmed the
>> hack and said I'd receive a bill in the mail. I know some of you may be
>> going to Grand Isle over the coming weeks. So beware.
>>
>> Mac
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/17/25 1:59 pm From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] HB 581 to ban balloon releases
[Edited Message Follows]
Rep. John Illg has filed bill HB581 that would prohibit the intentional outdoor release of filled balloons and imposes a fine on anyone caught doing so. Balloon releases are a particularly egregious form of litter because what goes up must eventually come down, with catastrophic consequences for birds, fish, and other wildlife. Richard Condrey, Baton Rouge Audubon Society conservation chair, has been active for many years trying to address this issue, and BRAS supports this initiative. Yesterday the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment unanimously (13-0) voted favorably on the bill. The bill is backed by the Lt. Governor's office, and the Louisiana Wildlife Federation is also backing the bill and monitoring its progress. Please contact your legislator to support this vital environmental reform.
Date: 4/17/25 1:51 pm From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] HB 581 to ban balloon releases
Rep. John Illg has filed bill HB581 that would prohibit the intentional outdoor release of filled balloons and imposes a fine on anyone caught doing so. Balloon releases are a particularly egregious form of litter because what goes up must eventually come down, with catastrophic consequences for birds, fish, and other wildlife. Richard Condrey, Baton Rouge Audubon Society conservation chair, has been active for many years trying to address this issue, and BRAS supports this initiative. Yesterday the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment unanimously (13-0) voted favorably on the bill. Please contact your legislator to support this vital environmental reform.
Date: 4/17/25 1:39 pm From: James W. Beck via groups.io <loxosceles928...> Subject: Re: [labird] Grand Isle tolls--SCAM ALERT
I’ve had two similar experiences with the Causeway recently. Two trips
consecutively.
James W. Beck
Estelle, Louisiana
On Thu, Apr 17, 2025 at 14:53 Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Apparently the toll system has been hacked. I went to G.I. last Friday.
> Today I received a text that my payment deadline was 19 April in the amount
> of $8.96. I called Riverlink, and the very first part of the recorded
> message was that they'd been hacked and bogus text billing messages were
> going out, and not to pay. Eventually I spoke with a rep who confirmed the
> hack and said I'd receive a bill in the mail. I know some of you may be
> going to Grand Isle over the coming weeks. So beware.
>
> Mac
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/17/25 12:53 pm From: Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm...> Subject: [labird] Grand Isle tolls--SCAM ALERT
Apparently the toll system has been hacked. I went to G.I. last Friday. Today I received a text that my payment deadline was 19 April in the amount of $8.96. I called Riverlink, and the very first part of the recorded message was that they'd been hacked and bogus text billing messages were going out, and not to pay. Eventually I spoke with a rep who confirmed the hack and said I'd receive a bill in the mail. I know some of you may be going to Grand Isle over the coming weeks. So beware.
