Pacifica Environmental Group Leader Calls for Beach Fireworks Ban

In the aftermath of Fourth of July celebrations that left some Pacifica beaches , the head of a leading Pacifica environmental group said she believes the city should ban beach fireworks.

Pacifica Beach Coalition President Lynn Adams said she is not advocating for a citywide ban of the sale of so-called "safe and sane" fireworks.  

"I'm calling for no fireworks on the beach," Adams said.

Adams said she hasn't mapped out a strategy for the enactment or enforcement of a beach fireworks ban. Her views reflect the starting point for how the city should manage fireworks in a way that balances the interests of community groups who benefit from their sales, those who participate in legal fireworks celebrations, and sensible environmental protections, she said.

Adams' statements come amid a in the coastside community about 10 miles south of San Francisco that for decades has allowed legal fireworks sales. In addition to environmental concerns, some Pacifica residents have expressed public safety fears. Others have complained about noise and traumatized pets.

The Pacifica Police Department has stated publicly that it is committed to enforcing a "" enforcement policy for those setting off illegal fireworks. Police for illegal fireworks in a two-day period that began July 3.

Fireworks are currently banned on Sharp Park, Manor and Esplanade Beaches. They can legally be set off at Rockaway and Linda Mar Beaches, however.

Adams said she was expressing her personal opinion and not the official view of the PBC. The group will meet Thursday night to discuss whether to wade into the city's political waters, something the group has been reluctant to do in the past amid other environmental controversies.

Adams said whatever the PBC decides, her group will remain committed to working with community groups to do what they can to protect Pacifica's beaches and coastal waters.

Environmentalists believe fireworks remnants contain chemicals that pollute coastal waters, and that the plastic debris swept out to the ocean kills fish and birds who mistake the remnants for food.   

Adams said she's advocating for a middle ground between those who want an outright fireworks ban and others who oppose any further restrictions.

Her statement reflects a change in her view from a week ago, when she told Patch that she did .

"I like fireworks and I hope people enjoy themselves on the Fourth of July, we just want people to act responsibly," Adams told Patch just before the July 4 celebrations began last week. "We need everyone to help minimize the harm of fireworks to the environment."

But accounts of the conditions at local beaches on the night of the Fourth, including photos of Linda Mar Beach taken by cleanup volunteer Sue Pemberton, convinced her to take a more vocal stance.

"If they want to set off fireworks on the parking lot we can clean that up, but we can't get all that stuff off the beaches," Adams said. "It's just not OK."

The 6:15 p.m. PBC meeting will be held at the Pacifica Library and is open to anyone interested in joining or seeking information about the group.

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