We are celebrating the news that a controversial fireworks show planned for a Long Island lake May 30 has been cancelled, according to officials.

The fireworks were supposed to launch from a barge on Lake Ronkonkoma, but the show has been scuttled after significant local outcry over the potential threat to bald eagles nesting near the lake.

The event had been supported by Suffolk County Legislator Trish Bergin and was originally planned for Memorial Day weekend before being postponed and now canceled. In a press release, Bergin’s office said organizers were notified by the Town of Islip that town code prohibits motorboats and other propeller-driven vessels on the lake. Because of that restriction, officials said it would be impossible to position a fireworks barge in the state Department of Environmental Conservation designated launch area.

The DEC had previously stated it reviewed the potential impact on the eagles and required that any fireworks be launched at least a half mile from the nests to ensure their protection.

Environmental advocates and residents raised concerns about two bald eagle nests located around the lake, warning that the noise and activity could frighten and stress the birds, potentially causing serious harm. In addition, they said that the debris, chemicals, and paper from the fireworks could potentially pollute the water and hurt wildlife.

We hope other communities will learn from this and forego fireworks this summer! Because whether it’s a large display organized by a municipality, or homeowners setting off fireworks in their backyard, these small explosive pyrotechnic devices are a threat to wildlife.

Humans might enjoy the bright colors and thunderous explosions because we know what to expect, but wildlife doesn’t. The abrupt lights and sounds are often seen as a threat by nesting bald eagles and easily startle great blue herons and other colonial nesting birds, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The shock of fireworks can cause wildlife to flee, ending up in unexpected areas or roadways, flying into buildings and other obstacles, and even abandoning nests, leaving young vulnerable to predators.

The threat to wildlife doesn’t stop at startling lights and sounds; fireworks also have the potential of starting wildfires, directly affecting wildlife, and destroying essential habitat. Litter from firecrackers, bottle rockets and other explosives can be choking hazards for wildlife and may be toxic if ingested.

One catastrophic example of the impact fireworks can have on migratory birds came in the form of a massive red-wing blackbird die-off in Arkansas in 2010. Following a New Year’s Eve fireworks display, more than 5,000 birds fell from the sky after colliding with obstacles.

Fireworks also terrorize pets.

Some dogs and cats will have a fight-or-flight response to the noise of fireworks. Some pets can panic and cause injury to themselves while trying to escape, some may run away, and some may react with aggression.

In addition, some dogs may eat fireworks. They can contain chemicals that can be corrosive to the lining of the digestive tract. This is a painful condition that can result in bloody vomiting and diarrhea, serious dehydration, and secondary infections. 

Fireworks that contain chlorate salts can oxidize red blood cells, which can quickly become a life-threatening condition. Animals with this condition will be lethargic with brown, gray, or blue colored gums. They are often breathing rapidly with a fast heart rate. These symptoms can develop up to 10 hours after the ingestion of the fireworks.

Even sparklers are dangerous.Some contain barium, which can cause animals to become extremely weak and uncoordinated. Heart problems can be seen as well.