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http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/dec/23/fireworks-show-canceled-over-threat-legal-action/
SAN DIEGO — The sponsor of an annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show over San Diego Bay — a nearly 20-year tradition — yesterday canceled the upcoming event in light of a legal challenge.
In a recent notice to San Diego port officials, the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation of Encinitas threatened to sue if organizers continued to stage the show without a required federal permit.
Marco Gonzalez, an attorney representing the environmental group, said the group has raised the issue before, but has not previously threatened to sue. He said the permit, mandated under the Clean Water Act, allows the show to go on with provisos that protect water quality.
The event, previously hosted by the city, is now sponsored by the San Diego Port Tenants Association, which represents waterfront businesses. Sharon Bernie-Cloward, president of the association, expressed disappointment over the cancellation, but acknowledged a permit is needed.
The only question, she said, is which organization should apply for it? The tenants group? The San Diego Unified Port District?
She said the annual Fourth of July fireworks over the bay may also be canceled, unless the permit issue is settled. “I’m personally sad,” she said.
Ronald Powell, a port spokesman, said the agency planned to help sponsor the $17,000 event with a $2,500 donation. He noted that the port is not directly involved with organizing it and does not plan to seek the permit.
Gonzalez said the environmental foundation is willing to help with the permit application. “We don’t care who gets the permit, but somebody needs to,” he said.
In 2007, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board — in consultation with federal officials — issued SeaWorld a discharge permit for its fireworks shows. As part of the permit, the amusement park must check the bay three times a year for contaminants.
SAN DIEGO — The sponsor of an annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show over San Diego Bay — a nearly 20-year tradition — yesterday canceled the upcoming event in light of a legal challenge.
In a recent notice to San Diego port officials, the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation of Encinitas threatened to sue if organizers continued to stage the show without a required federal permit.
Marco Gonzalez, an attorney representing the environmental group, said the group has raised the issue before, but has not previously threatened to sue. He said the permit, mandated under the Clean Water Act, allows the show to go on with provisos that protect water quality.
The event, previously hosted by the city, is now sponsored by the San Diego Port Tenants Association, which represents waterfront businesses. Sharon Bernie-Cloward, president of the association, expressed disappointment over the cancellation, but acknowledged a permit is needed.
The only question, she said, is which organization should apply for it? The tenants group? The San Diego Unified Port District?
She said the annual Fourth of July fireworks over the bay may also be canceled, unless the permit issue is settled. “I’m personally sad,” she said.
Ronald Powell, a port spokesman, said the agency planned to help sponsor the $17,000 event with a $2,500 donation. He noted that the port is not directly involved with organizing it and does not plan to seek the permit.
Gonzalez said the environmental foundation is willing to help with the permit application. “We don’t care who gets the permit, but somebody needs to,” he said.
In 2007, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board — in consultation with federal officials — issued SeaWorld a discharge permit for its fireworks shows. As part of the permit, the amusement park must check the bay three times a year for contaminants.
