The resolution to end fireworks use for the University of Idaho Homecoming celebration failed with a voting outcome of 8-4 with two abstained. A two-thirds majority was needed for the vote to pass.
A resolution is an official statement regarding a legislative body’s opinion or will. It is not law, but a resolution does express the legislative body’s consensus on public policy. The resolution to discontinue fireworks was not binding law.
In the resolution, Sen. Mary Alice Taylor writes that fireworks increase the number of air pollutants, citing a Time Magazine article about Fourth of July fireworks. The resolution cited a variety of sources, including a literature review that refers to a study which showed a 30% to 40% increase in respiratory diseases in India after a festival.
Regarding the portion which refers to soil and ground water pollution, the resolution states there can be potential health concerns to our community, citing the LA Times, the U.S Geological Survey and the Environmental Science & Technology Journal.
Also concerned with the wildlife, the resolution stated fireworks are potentially harmful to pets and wildlife, specifically birds. The resolution references an article from Natural Lands and an article from NPR, which cite studies performed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The resolution says fireworks are potentially triggering to individuals with PTSD and other sensory needs, citing “How Fireworks Can Trigger PTSD” from Time.
Debate on the resolution was centered heavily around the data and the student body’s opinion. While several senators said they heard students express support for the resolution, there were other senators who said students opposed the resolution.
Sen. Aaron Bharucha said he supported the resolution whole-heartedly from a personal standpoint. However, Bharucha said, “I must overrule my own opinion for the student body.”
Other senators expressed the same sense of duty to their fellow students, referring to their living groups during the ASUI meeting.
Sen. Reilly Dahlquist said the two living groups he represented were heavily against the resolution. Dahlquist also made a motion to strike the data provided in the resolution, as he felt it was not applicable to Moscow, but this motion failed.
“I’m not going to lie and say I’m not disappointed,” Taylor said in response to the resolution’s voting outcome. “But I’m not surprised.”
Taylor said she will continue to work on more sustainability issues as the year progresses. She hopes to do something with single use plastics on campus, but it is a complicated issue.
“I’m happy with the outcome,” Sen. Reilly Dahlquist said. Dahlquist said there were many signatures on the petition against the resolution and, “To vote for the resolution was to disregard the opinions of the student body.”
Rachele Catt can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @RACHELE_CATT
Dan Bechtel
It would be my sincere hope that those in support of such a movement to ban the Homecoming fireworks would also take into strong consideration the extraordinarily low impact an annual and, let's be honest, rather small, fireworks show actually has. Moscow stopped their 4th of July firework show years ago and as a life-long member of the Moscow community, and both a Moscow High School and University of Idaho Alum, I look forward to the Homecoming Fireworks each and every year.